FIRST Minister John Swinney has issued a warning to drivers on the NC500 after a YouTuber prompted outrage when he disrupted traffic on the route.
David Crossley, a content creator with 26,000 followers on the video sharing app, travelled from England to document his journey on the popular route with a group of friends.
But one of his clips did not go down well with locals as one of his collaborators, named Dean, carried out a “prank” in which he dressed as a lollipop man and stopped traffic on the A9 near Helmsdale.
In one clip, the men can be seen mocking one local who came up to complain about the stunt.
Swinney has now urged drivers exploring the route around the Highlands to act responsibly, adding he is “acutely aware” of the issues the attraction presents.
Asked if he felt there needed to be any enforcement action on the route to prevent such incidents, the First Minister told The National: “I think it’s important that at all times there is an observance of all the road traffic legislation that is in place, that should apply on every route in the country, it should particularly apply on the NC500.
“I’m acutely aware of the challenges the NC500 presents to the local residents. There are, of course, benefits in terms of the increased activity that’s brought in, but it’s important individuals act responsibly in relation to the road infrastructure that’s in place.”
One resident said Crossley and his crew treated the Highlands as if it was their “own personal Disneyland” adding what they did was “disrespectful” and “potentially dangerous”.
Crossley later suggested he was sorry for distress caused during the stunt.
He said: “I have been contacted by the truck driver who thought it was funny, and also some of the people who work at the school.
“But I understand some people don't have my sense of humour.”
He went on to explain there were “sheep in the road” and they made it safer for them to cross, but there was no footage available to back up this claim.
The NC500 is now 10 years old and while it brings many benefits for businesses on the route, a lot of locals in the Highlands are resentful of its promotion given it has led to dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour.
Earlier this month Highland Council scrapped plans to ban campervans from overnight stays in Sutherland car parks on the route.
Councillors had been vocal about the impact anti-social behaviour and the dumping of waste was having on residents, but an enforcement of a ban would’ve cost the council £41,000.
Council officers stated the ban could have “unintended consequences” by forcing motorhomes into other rural areas.
A council voluntary scheme aimed at holidaymakers who visit the route in campervans is also expected to miss its target of raising £500,000 in its first year.
For a £40 seven-day pass visitors can park overnight in some of the local authority's car parks, and get daily access to showering facilities in leisure centres.
The initiative, launched in July last year, was also designed to generate funding for infrastructure improvements and biodiversity projects.
But in a new report officials said only £20,000 was expected to be raised in its first financial year.
