A MUM told how the booming NC500 meant she could open a bakery at the bottom of her driveway.
Donna Mackay, 37, started selling sweet treats from the Crumbs Cake Cupboard to locals and passing tourists on the route.
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She was stunned when it exploded in popularity and she struggled to keep up with the huge demand from locals and NC500 tourists.
Donna relies on customers to pay up because the business, in Bettyhill, Sutherland, is essentially an honesty box.
And she told how she’s had positive and negative experiences.
Donna said: “The good outweighs the bad.
“There are people who don’t pay and I notice that we’re short at the end of the day.
“But I give them the benefit of the doubt and wonder if they’ve just got the maths wrong. I rely on them to do the sums.
“Everyone here is so friendly. We want tourists and if they all stuck to the rules it would be great.
“Unfortunately the minority let down the majority.”
Former bank worker Donna started the business after her kids Rhea, 9, Kira, 5, asked if they could run a lemonade stand.
They wanted to make some extra cash so they could buy the horse and dog they’ve always dreamed of.
As a compromise Donna, who runs a small wedding cake business, offered to set up the hot pink cake cupboard.
It took off but she was devastated when she found someone had taken everything and not paid a penny.
She said: “They totally cleared us out. It was about £25 worth of stuff that was taken.
“It was upsetting because we’re just a small business and it all just started as a bit of fun for the girls.”
Donna posted about the incident on social media and was taken aback at the response.
She said: “The support we got was unbelievable. We had people posting money through our letterbox.
“Everyone wanted to make sure the girls still got their horse and dog. People offered to transfer over the whole amount.
“It was so nice and shows that the vast majority of people are nice and respectful.”
Donna sells delicious traybakes and cupcakes, as well as cheesecakes, giant New York cookies and sausage rolls.
Her most expensive item is £3.50 and the cheapest are £1.50.
Last year at the height of summer Donna sold out every day, sometimes before lunchtime.
For this season she’s decided to make the cupboard bigger and better and added a fridge as well as a photo prop.
She gets support from locals as well as tourists but believe the huge influx of visitors thanks to the NC500 plays a big part in keeping her going.
Donna said: “It’s not a big business and it’s not hugely profitable.
“It makes me a part-time wage and It means I can be a full-time mum and enjoy my time with the girls.
“In the summer it could easily be full-time because the road is so busy with tourists.”
Donna, husband Ross, and their kids are all involved in Crumbs.
The girls are always desperate to check the box and see what’s sold.
Donna only re-opened last week and is easing herself into the new year.
She said: “We’ve had interest from all over the world. People tell me they’re making detours so they can come to the cupboard.
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“I think it’s the colour that draws everyone in. It stands out. People tell me they can see it from space.
“It’s kind of overwhelming how much it’s taken off. The girls are so excited about it and I just really love what I’m doing.”