FOR many it is a road paved with gold, while for others is the ultimate highway to Hell.

It is fair to say that the NC500 coastal road divides opinion almost as much as that well known vitamin-rich spread Marmite.

You either love it or loathe it and that really depends on where you live.

There is no doubt that it is the most spectacular road in the UK and one of the best in the world.

Sweeping west from Inverness, it hugs the coast through Wester Ross and northwards through Ullapool and then onwards to Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross and back to the Highland capital.

It is is glorious and it is baffling that it is so under appreciated by people who actually live here.

One aspect that has drawn a lot of criticism, justifiably so too, is the increased traffic, particularly motorhomes, on the route.

Most of the roads have been upgraded but there are still many miles of single track roads which can cause total havoc.

Many tourists, including Scots, have no idea how to drive on them and passing places are sometimes treated like car parks so that photos can be taken which can cause lengthy tailbacks.

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Now Highland Council has been asked to ban campervans and motorhomes from overnight stays in its car parks in Sutherland.

Some local councillors say there have been problems with waste being disposed of in or near the car parks, and also complaints about anti-social behaviour.

The council's Sutherland area committee has been asked to agree to the ban at a meeting next week.

Councillors backing the........

© Herald Scotland