TOURISM businesses along the North Coast 500 have hailed the route's organisation in a new survey.

Its members gave NC500 over 90 per cent for satisfaction and its benefit to the North Highlands as a whole in the survey.

In what has been a catastrophic year for tourism in the North Highlands, tourism firms said that they continue to feel fully supported by NC500 during the global pandemic in response to the organisation’s latest business survey conducted earlier this month.

A majority of firms from across Inverness-shire, the Black Isle, Easter Ross, Wester Ross, Sutherland and Caithness also believe that NC500 is continuing to have a positive benefit on the wider region, despite the pandemic.

NC500 has continued to stage a series of webinars to actively engage its business members, local community groups and other key stakeholders this year to address any concerns surrounding re-opening when the green light is given by the Scottish Government.

Craig Mills, of NC500, said: "We’re continuing to work hard with our partners to help deliver a balance between public safety and economic recovery."