The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC), led by Chief Executive Fiona Campbell MBE, continues to represent members’ interests on the issues that matter most to Scotland’s self-catering sector. Our focus remains on fair, proportionate regulation and policies that support business viability, investment and long-term sustainability.
We are continuing to press for fairer outcomes that properly reflect the realities of self-catering businesses. Unprecedented increases in non-domestic rates – in some cases up to 400% – threaten sustainability, jobs, investment and, quite simply, business survival.
While the recent Scottish Budget confirmed that a rates relief package will be introduced following weeks of sustained industry pressure, the detail is deeply concerning.
The lack of meaningful transitional relief, similar to that applied during the 2023 revaluation (where operators paid £600 in year one before incremental increases), has now been amended to 15% relief. As a result, the revaluation will drag thousands of self-catering businesses out of the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS). The Budget has not delivered a fair or workable outcome for the sector.
We are collating concrete evidence to demonstrate that the revaluation is fundamentally flawed and must be challenged. The Scottish Government can – and should – intervene before 1 April 2026 to pause and reform the revaluation process.
A sticking-plaster approach is not enough for a system that urgently requires structural reform. We are clear that the 2026 revaluation framework must be paused and reformed to secure the future of thousands of small hospitality businesses across Scotland.
This is where collective action matters. To strengthen our case, we need every self-catering operator to play a part by:
👉 Link to full guidance
👉 Link to full Scottish Budget update
Every example, every story and every piece of evidence strengthens our advocacy. The more visible and united we are, the harder we are to ignore — and the stronger our case for meaningful change.
We continue to challenge inconsistency and unintended consequences within the short-term let licensing system, advocating for proportionate regulation that supports tourism while recognising community needs.
Across Scotland, planning control areas are in force, emerging or under consultation, while changes to licensing arrangements continue to be introduced at local authority level. We have recently been informed that Shetland Islands Council is increasing licensing fees by 113%, with Argyll and Bute also proposing increases of around 10%.
The ASSC is actively challenging excessive and unjustified fee increases across Scotland. We continue to support a licensing system that is fair, lawful and proportionate, underpinned by a transparent cost recovery model grounded in genuine service delivery needs. Such an approach would provide a compliant and sustainable basis for fee setting, without undermining operator confidence or exposing local authorities to legal challenge.
Member action matters here. Local evidence, consultation responses and engagement with elected representatives are critical in challenging excessive fees and inconsistent application of licensing.
The ASSC continues to work intensively on the issue of multiple licence fees being applied to co-located units operating as part of a single business. Our proposed replacement recommendation is as follows:
Clarify and strengthen Scottish Government guidance, building on the 2024 amendment, to confirm that the default position for short-term let licensing is one licence per premises where multiple units are operated as part of a single business.
Confirm that multiple licences for co-located units must not be applied routinely or as a matter of local policy, and may only be required where there is a clear, evidenced and recorded justification.
Acknowledge that ambiguity in the 2024 guidance has contributed to inconsistent practice, and address this through clearer statutory guidance rather than discretionary local interpretation.
The ASSC continues to be highly active on the Visitor Levy, working across local authorities and directly with the Scottish Government.
Over the past year, the ASSC has worked closely with the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), other industry colleagues, the Minister for Public Finance Ivan McKee, Scottish Government officials and cross-party MSPs to make the case for a flat, fixed-fee visitor levy, in response to the growing complexity of the percentage-based model.
We are encouraged that the Scottish Government has listened, and we welcome the introduction of the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill, which proposes changes to the current legislative framework. The new proposals would give councils the option of setting a fixed levy amount, including the ability to vary charges by location, season or accommodation type.
The legislation will also clarify how levies apply to sales made via third parties, such as booking platforms, and the information accommodation providers must share with councils.
Where issues raise legal concerns, the ASSC takes independent legal advice to fully understand the risks, implications and available options. This ensures that any action taken is proportionate, evidence-led and in the best interests of the wider membership.
Where member insight or evidence is required to support this work, we will reach out directly to gather experiences and input. This collaborative approach allows us to build the strongest possible case, while avoiding unnecessary risk or unintended consequences for members.
Advocacy is strongest when members are informed, engaged and visible. You can help strengthen our collective voice by:
Every action, no matter how small, helps build the case for fairer outcomes.
Alongside high-profile policy issues, we are also working quietly but consistently on a range of areas that affect members day to day, including:
Much of this work happens out of sight, but it is essential in protecting members and reducing unnecessary pressure on self-catering businesses.
This advocacy is made possible through ASSC membership and contributions to our Advocacy Fund.
If you are not currently a member, joining the ASSC strengthens our collective voice and ensures you are represented on the issues affecting self-catering businesses.
If membership is not right for you at this time, you can still support our work by donating to the ASSC Advocacy Fund, which helps resource policy engagement, legal advice and evidence-based campaigning.
👉 Join the ASSC or support our advocacy work here