{"id":1349,"date":"2025-03-05T13:51:48","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T13:51:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/igloo.scot\/blog\/?p=1349"},"modified":"2025-03-05T14:06:53","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T14:06:53","slug":"highland-councils-visitor-levy-what-the-proposal-means","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/igloo.scot\/blog\/highland-councils-visitor-levy-what-the-proposal-means\/","title":{"rendered":"Highland Council\u2019s Visitor Levy: What the proposal means"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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“The Highland Council\u2019s Visitor Levy is coming\u2014 Find out what people are saying<\/strong>. How it impacts holiday homes, tourism, and how Igloo Holiday Homes can help property owners adapt.”<\/strong><\/h1>\n

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If you\u2019ve ever visited the Highlands, you\u2019ll know it\u2019s one of the most breathtaking places in the world. Towering mountains, shimmering lochs, and charming villages make it a dream destination. Millions of visitors come each year. This creates a challenge in maintaining the region\u2019s infrastructure and protecting its natural beauty. That\u2019s why\u00a0Highland Council is proposing a Visitor Levy<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What\u2019s the Highland Council's Visitor Levy?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In simple terms, the proposed levy would add a 5% charge to overnight stays<\/strong> in paid accommodations across the Highlands. Once the levy is in place – if you’re booking a B&B, a hotel, or a self-catering cottage, you\u2019d see this Highland accommodation tax<\/strong> added to the bill. The council believe that visitors should contribute directly to the upkeep of the places they come to enjoy.<\/p>\n

We all know that many European cities already collect tourism taxes and Edinburgh\u2019s visitor levy<\/strong> is in the works as well. Here in the Highlands, where tourism is the lifeblood of many communities, the proposal is stirring up some strong opinions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Why are Highland Council seeking to introduce a Visitor Levy?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Anyone who lives in or frequently visits the Highlands knows that the region sees a huge influx of tourists, particularly in the summer months. While this boosts local businesses, it also places significant strain on roads, public facilities, and services. The council say that the levy is meant to:<\/span><\/p>\n

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\ud83c\udfd7\ufe0f Support tourism infrastructure<\/strong> \u2013 Maintaining roads, public conveniences, and local landmarks.
\ud83c\udf33Protect the environment<\/strong> \u2013 Helping with conservation efforts in fragile natural areas.
\ud83d\udc6aBenefit local communities<\/strong> \u2013 Ensuring that Highland residents don\u2019t bear the full cost of tourism-related services.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Who Would Have to Pay the Highland Council's visitor Levy?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The levy would apply to overnight stays<\/strong> in hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, paid campsites and self-catering properties. This means if you’re wondering “Do I need to pay a tourism tax in Scotland?” –<\/strong> if you are planning and overnight stay in The Highlands once levy in place – the answer will likely be yes.<\/p>\n

The council are not currently planning any exemptions this means – <\/span>all stays will have to pay<\/strong>, for example:<\/span><\/p>\n