Latest news with #NC500
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Daily Record
North Coast 500 named one of UK's 'must visit' routes as scenery and practicality praised
The study ranked road trips based on reviews, fuel costs, EV chargers, places to stay and popularity A spectacular Scottish road trip has been named among the best in the UK for summer 2025. The North Coast 500 has officially been ranked the third most popular road trip in the UK. The ranking cementis the NC500's status as a must-do route for travellers this summer. The breathtaking 516-mile loop through the Highlands continues to capture the imagination of adventure seekers. It is known for its jaw-dropping coastal scenery, remote beaches, ancient castles and wild mountain passes, and its popularity has been reflected in the ranking from Car Finance 247. The new research by the UK's leading online car finance platform analysed a variety of factors when comparing some of the UK's best-loved driving routes. The study looked at each road trip's TripAdvisor ratings, fuel costs, EV charger availability, accommodation options, and search popularity to determine the best all-round experiences for drivers in 2025. For Scots, the North Coast 500 is already a well-known favourite. But this latest analysis shows it isn't just about stunning views, it also delivers when it comes to practical travel essentials. The route sees an average of 19,000 monthly searches, the second-highest on the list, and boasts 2,255 five-star TripAdvisor reviews for its many sights. Petrol costs for the route were estimated at £87.72, relatively affordable given its length, especially compared to other longer-distance journeys. Fuel costs were calculated proportionally based on mileage, ensuring a fair comparison between short and extended routes. The study also aimed to reflect the evolving needs of modern road trippers, including those planning budget-friendly escapes or eco-conscious EV adventures. While England's Jurassic Coast topped the overall list thanks to its balance of affordability, visitor reviews and accessibility, the North Coast 500 was by far the highest ranked Scottish entry. The Wales Coast Path claimed second spot, with more than 5,000 five-star reviews and an impressive 479 affordable accommodation options. Other popular routes, such as Hadrian's Wall and the South West 660, fell behind in key areas like EV infrastructure and online interest. Another Scottish gem to make the list was the Kintyre 66, which rounded out the top 10. This scenic 66-mile loop through Argyll offers sea views from nearly every stretch of road and looks out to the islands of Gigha, Islay, Jura and Arran. On a clear day, visitors can even see across to Northern Ireland from South Kintyre. The Kintyre 66 includes six spurs for those keen to explore further and clocked 50 five-star reviews, 170 average monthly searches, and a fuel cost of just £11.22. The route also offers 67 EV charging points and 24 budget accommodation options. The research highlights how road trip trends are shifting. Travellers in 2025 are increasingly factoring in practicalities such as fuel efficiency, charging access and affordability, in addition to the traditional draw of beautiful views and scenic detours. 'As a company committed to helping people get on the road with confidence, we know that value matters, not just when choosing a car, but also when planning where it takes you,' said Louis Rix, Co-Founder and COO at Car Finance 247. 'This research shows that whether you're heading out for a short weekend drive or a longer escape, there are incredible UK road trips to suit every budget and lifestyle.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The UK's top 10 road trip destinations for 2025 Route Number of 5-star Tripadvisor reviews Avg monthly searches Cost of petrol for the route Number of EV charging points Number of affordable accommodation options 1 Jurassic Coast 3,842 26,000 £16.15 73 24 2 Wales Coast Path 5,289 900 £147.90 112 479 3 North Coast 500 2,255 19,000 £87.72 65 152 4 North Yorkshire Moors Linear 21,665 50 £30.77 18 19 5 Hadrians Wall 752 16,000 £14.28 22 65 6 South West 660 662 100 £112.20 317 29 7 Norfolk Coastal Path 4,052 250 £14.28 13 138 8 Northumberland Coast Path 1,190 400 £10.54 23 73 9 The Cumbrian Coast 1,530 150 £34.00 23 107 10 Kintyre 66 50 170 £11.22 67 Article continues below 24
The National
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Rarely seen Millais works displayed in Perth in first for Scotland
Part of a collection of 300 artworks and other belongings, which have remained unseen for 30 years, will go on a long-term loan to Perth Art Gallery. Millais was one of the artists known as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, with Ophelia (1851-52) being one of his most significant paintings. READ MORE: Man to appear in court after Stone of Destiny incident at Perth Museum The collection is being donated by Millais and Effie's great-grandson, Sir Geoffroy Millais. He told the PA News Agency: 'It feels fitting that this collection finds its home in Perth, where the story of my great-grandparents began. 'Sharing these personal treasures with the public is a way of keeping their legacy alive and offering new generations the chance to connect with their remarkable lives and work.' The collection includes work from when Millais was just seven years old and jewellery belonging to Gray, who was born in and died in Perth. Gray and Millais's relationship has been heavily dramatised since the 19th century as a result of a so-called love triangle between the pair and art critic John Ruskin. Ruskin and Gray were married for six years before annulment, with Gray going on to marry Millais one year later in 1855. READ MORE: Award-winning Scottish hotel on NC500 up for sale for £1.2 million David Tennant portrayed Millais in a 1998 radio drama, The Order of Release, and in 2014 the story was adapted into the film Effie Gray, produced by Emma Thompson with Dakota Fanning in the titular role. Helen Smout, chief executive of Culture Perth and Kinross, said: 'We are honoured to be the recipients of such an important and personal collection. 'This is not only a homecoming for Effie Gray, but a celebration of Millais' enduring connection to Perthshire and a transformative moment for the cultural landscape of our region.' The free public display opens on July 25.
Scottish Sun
14-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
‘Dirty' NC500 campers branded a ‘disgrace' after bottles, human waste & cut down trees dumped
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOCALS living along the North Coast 500 have hit out at tourists who left a much-loved beauty spot in a shocking state. A furious resident in the Scottish Highlands was unimpressed after visitors left a huge mess along the iconic route over the weekend. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Human waste and mess were left at the beauty spot Credit: FACEBOOK: NC500 THE LAND WEEPS 5 Bin bags full of waste were left hanging on trees Credit: FACEBOOK: NC500 THE LAND WEEPS 5 Piles of rubbish were also left on used fire pits Credit: FACEBOOK: NC500 THE LAND WEEPS They said that it was "one of the worst instances of dirty camping" they had seen and branded the culprits a "disgrace". The local resident never revealed the exact spot where the mess was left, but they explained that they noticed it on the grass just a few minutes' walk away from a main road. Empty plastic bottles appeared to have been left scattered on the ground in the grass. Many bottles were spotted piled up along with other bits of rubbish - including cans of beer, paper bags and food wrappers - on a used fire pit. Empty boxes that once contained camping gear were also left abandoned next to buckets full of rubbish. Black bags that were completely full of waste were also left hanging on a tree near a body of water. If you were the visitors and you did this, then you should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself. It's an absolute disgrace and a scandal that this goes on Post on Facebook While branches that appear to have been cut from nearby trees lay strewn across the ground. There also appeared to be human waste left in the area, surrounded by used, dirty tissues. A burnt-out, used fire pit was also left abandoned on the ground. The frustrated local shared snaps of the mess and shared them on the Facebook group NC500 The Land Weeps on Saturday. 'Absolutely disgusted', complain Nc500 locals as they blast BBC over Landward scene The post read: "I was on the NC500 today and I came across what for me was one of the worst instances of dirty camping I have seen in quite a while. "Bottles, human waste, cut down trees, rubbish dumped, open fires with waste dumped on them etc. "All this just a minute's walk from the road. "If you were the visitors and you did this, then you should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself. "It's an absolute disgrace and a scandal that this goes on. "So much for 'the pledge'. Just another week on the route." Users flocked to the comments to blast the people responsible. One person said: "I'm angry and sad that these folk live amongst us!! Why bother to visit somewhere so beautiful then destroy by treating it like a cesspit. SCOTLAND'S ROUTE 66 DESPITE its challenges, the NC500 is still one of the most popular road trips in the world. Earlier this year, the scenic route was voted the number one most searched for road trip in the UK and an astonishing fifth in the world-wide table. With its impressive 516-mile stretch of magnificent coastal views, it's not surprising it's such a popular route for travellers looking to explore. From castles to distilleries there is something for everyone to enjoy. It was also ranked as the most romantic drive in Britain after an influx of visitors took to the roads for 'staycations' in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. An English couple told how they loved the NC500 so much that they got it tattooed on their bodies forever. While a couple who travelled the route in an Audi convertible told how it was "one of the best holidays" they've ever had. "Honestly people baffle me with their behaviour." Another added: "Manky mingers." Someone else wrote: "Who are these cretins who walk amongst us? "I just can't get my head round the fact that they think this sort of behaviour is acceptable." While a fourth posted: "I'm stunned at such entitlement and disrespect." And a fifth chimed in: "Destroying what they came to see. Beggars belief!" 5 Empty boxes were dumped next to buckets of other discarded rubbish Credit: FACEBOOK: NC500 THE LAND WEEPS
The National
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Rare Millais works displayed in Perth in first for Scotland
Part of a collection of 300 artworks and other belongings, which have remained unseen for 30 years, will go on a long-term loan to Perth Art Gallery. Millais was one of the artists known as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, with Ophelia (1851-52) being one of his most significant paintings. READ MORE: Man to appear in court after Stone of Destiny incident at Perth Museum The collection is being donated by Millais and Effie's great-grandson, Sir Geoffroy Millais. He said to the PA News Agency: 'It feels fitting that this collection finds its home in Perth, where the story of my great-grandparents began. 'Sharing these personal treasures with the public is a way of keeping their legacy alive and offering new generations the chance to connect with their remarkable lives and work.' The collection includes work from when Millais was just seven years old and jewellery belonging to Gray, who was born in and died in Perth. Gray and Millais's relationship has been heavily dramatised since the 19th century as a result of a so-called love triangle between the pair and art critic, John Ruskin. Ruskin and Gray were married for six years before annulment, with Gray going on to marry Millais one year later in 1855. READ MORE: Award-winning Scottish hotel on NC500 up for sale for £1.2 million David Tennant portrayed Millais in a 1998 radio drama, The Order of Release, and in 2014 the story was adapted into the film Effie Gray, produced by Emma Thompson with Dakota Fanning in the titular role. Helen Smout, chief executive of Culture Perth and Kinross, said: 'We are honoured to be the recipients of such an important and personal collection. 'This is not only a homecoming for Effie Gray, but a celebration of Millais' enduring connection to Perthshire and a transformative moment for the cultural landscape of our region.' The free public display opens on July 25.
The National
14-07-2025
- The National
Man charged over Stone of Destiny incident at Perth Museum
Visitors said a man in a kilt attempted to smash through the display case on Saturday, July 12, around 2pm in Perth Museum. The museum was evacuated and a 35-year-old was later arrested and charged in connection. No injuries were reported and Perth Museum said the stone, which was used in the coronation of Scottish kings for centuries, was not damaged in the incident. READ MORE: Award-winning Scottish hotel on NC500 up for sale for £1.2 million A tourist visiting from the Philippines, Elle Alvarez, posted a video of the incident on Facebook, writing: 'An absolutely epic moment is unfolding right before our eyes here at the Perth Museum!' Alvarez said the man allegedly claimed to be the 'chief of his clan' and that he has 'a right to the throne'. Police reportedly responded quickly to the incident, with visitors evacuated and the area 'closed off' as a result. Alvarez said: 'This ancient stone holds deep significance for Scotland; it's a symbol of power, history, and identity. 'And today, its story grew even more dramatic when a man [in] his kilt attempted to smash the glass in an apparent bid to seize it.' The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, was taken from Scotland during the Wars of Independence before being kept in Westminster Abbey. On Christmas Day, 1950, four Glasgow University students managed to steal the stone and temporarily return it to Scotland. It was officially returned in 1996, where it resided in Edinburgh Castle before being transferred to Perth Museum in 2024. READ MORE: Police to breathalyse passengers arriving at Scottish airport in pilot scheme In a 2023 incident, activists from This is Rigged smashed the stone's protective glass cabinet and sprayed 'Is Treasa Tuath Na Tighearna' – Gaelic for 'The People Are Mightier Than A Lord' – on the glass, leading to the closure of Edinburgh Castle for the remainder of the day. A spokesperson for Culture Perth and Kinross said: 'We can confirm there was an incident at Perth Museum on Saturday 12 July 2025, where a man was arrested. 'Perth Museum was evacuated as a precaution and there was no damage to any artefacts on display. We are assisting Police Scotland with their enquiries so it would be inappropriate to comment further.'
