11 March 2026
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC), led by Chief Executive Fiona Campbell MBE, continues to work intensively on behalf of members on the issues placing the greatest pressure on Scotland’s self-catering sector.
Our focus remains clear: securing fair, proportionate regulation that protects businesses, supports rural economies and enables sustainable tourism across Scotland.
Much of this work happens behind the scenes through detailed policy engagement, legal input and sustained dialogue with the Scottish Government, MSPs, local authorities and industry partners including the Scottish Tourism Alliance.
Real-world evidence from members continues to be essential in strengthening our case and ensuring that policymakers understand the realities facing Scotland’s self-catering sector.
Behind the scenes: intensive daily advocacy
Over the past month, the ASSC has continued extensive engagement across government, parliament and the wider tourism sector.
This includes ongoing meetings with ministers, MSPs and officials, collaboration with sector partners, detailed legal and policy analysis, and coordination of evidence from members across Scotland.
Much of this work happens quietly, but it is critical in ensuring that the voice of Scotland’s self-catering businesses is represented clearly at decision-making tables.
Following sustained lobbying by the ASSC and cross-party support from MSPs, the Scottish Government has introduced targeted measures to protect self-catering businesses from the most severe impacts of the 2026 Non-Domestic Rates revaluation.
This includes:
These changes represent important progress and provide short-term breathing space for many businesses.
However, the underlying valuation methodology remains fundamentally flawed. The ASSC will continue pressing for structural reform ahead of the 2029 revaluation, while supporting members through the appeals process.
Short-term let regulation continues to be one of the most complex policy areas affecting the sector.
Recent Freedom of Information responses have confirmed that Edinburgh’s Planning Control Area has delivered no measurable improvement in housing supply or affordability, yet similar policies are being considered elsewhere.
The ASSC is continuing to challenge the expansion of ineffective regulation and pressing for policy that is evidence-based, proportionate and economically responsible, particularly in rural and island communities where self-catering supports thousands of jobs.
There has been important progress at Stage 2 of the Visitor Levy legislation, with amendments confirming that any visitor levy will be charged per bookable unit per night rather than per person. This is a critical improvement which reflects how accommodation is actually sold across hotels, self-catering, hostels and other overnight accommodation types, and removes unnecessary complexity and the risk of disproportionate impacts on families and group bookings.
The ASSC has played a key role in shaping these improvements through our work with the Scottish Tourism Alliance.
The Bill now moves to Stage 3 – the final parliamentary stage.
The ASSC has written to policymakers across all parties alongside the launch of its 2026 Election Manifesto, calling for fair and proportionate regulation of Scotland’s self-catering sector to be a priority for the next Scottish Parliament.
The manifesto highlights the vital role self-catering plays within Scotland’s tourism economy, a sector worth £1bn annually and supporting more than 29,000 jobs across rural, island and urban communities.
It calls for a reset in the relationship between government and tourism businesses, with a move towards fair, evidence-based and proportionate regulation that supports sustainable growth while addressing genuine community concerns.
Key priorities include:
The ASSC will continue engaging with policymakers across all parties in the lead-up to the 2026 Scottish Parliament election to ensure the voice of Scotland’s self-catering sector is clearly heard.
The Scottish Government has confirmed that planned reforms to Energy Performance Certificates will now be delayed until at least late 2027.
For now, the existing EPC system remains in place and there are no immediate new requirements for self-catering operators.
Advocacy is strongest when members are informed and engaged. You can support this work by:
Every example strengthens our case for fairer outcomes.
This advocacy is only possible through ASSC membership and contributions to our Advocacy Fund.
If you are not currently a member, joining strengthens our collective voice and ensures you are represented on the issues shaping the future of self-catering.
If membership is not right for you at this time, you can still support our work by donating to the ASSC Advocacy Fund.
👉 Join the ASSC or support our advocacy work here