The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) conducted a survey between 26 August and 11 September 2025, receiving 85 responses from operators across Argyll & Bute and the wider self-catering sector. We would like to thank our members, and others in the sector, who took the time to share their experiences and complete the survey – your input has been invaluable.
The findings are stark: a prolonged four-year closure of the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful would not simply inconvenience visitors, it would cause long-lasting, structural damage to Argyll & Bute’s economy, communities, and reputation as a place to visit and invest.
This is not a hypothetical concern. Disruption is already routine. Businesses are losing bookings now. Guests are sitting in traffic for hours, missing ferries, or abandoning visits altogether. Operators describe the situation as “the final straw” in the face of ferry chaos, rising costs, and regulatory pressures.
Three central messages emerge from the survey:
- Disruption is universal and confidence is draining away
Every single business (100%) is affected. 30% are already losing bookings, and one in three are not confident about their future if the situation persists. Visitors are questioning whether Argyll & Bute is accessible at all.
- Economic losses will escalate sharply
72% expect moderate–severe impacts from a four-year closure, with turnover losses typically in the range of 10–30%. Some fear losses of up to 50%. This scale of revenue decline would make businesses unviable, not just for a season but permanently.
- Reputational and investment damage will be severe
57% believe prolonged closure would deter any new investment. Many warn that the reputational hit to Argyll & Bute as a tourism destination would be permanent, compounding ferry disruption and deterring visitors who may never return.
What businesses say they need most
- Real-time travel updates – 85%
Guests must have accurate, reliable information. At present, they are travelling blind, with confidence eroding daily.
- Marketing reassurance – 79%
Without visible reassurance that Argyll & Bute is open for business, visitors will choose destinations that appear more accessible and reliable.
- Improved ferry and alternative transport links – 67%
Ferry disruption is already biting. If the A83 fails, ferries must not. Investment in resilience and reliability is critical.
- Direct financial support – 55%
Operators cannot absorb years of double-digit turnover losses. Grants and tax relief are needed to bridge the gap.
- Infrastructure improvements – 51%
Businesses are not asking for luxuries – they are asking for signage, diversions, and alternative routes that actually work.
The reality on the ground
- Visitors are facing detours adding hours to their journey, with some reporting being stuck for up to five hours in traffic at Inveraray.
- Operators are warning of “permanent reputational damage” and guests spreading the word that Argyll & Bute is inaccessible.
- Many respondents compared the closure to ferry disruption, calling this “the final straw” for visitor confidence.
- Businesses that have operated successfully for decades are now questioning their viability. One respondent noted: “I cannot afford to close my business – but I may have no choice.”
Key Findings
- 100% of businesses experience disruption (56% occasionally, 39% frequently).
- 30% already experiencing cancellations and lost bookings.
- 72% expect moderate–severe impacts from a four-year closure.
- 10–30% average turnover losses predicted; some up to 50%.
- Only 11% are very confident about their future; 31% are not confident.
- 57% believe prolonged closure would deter new investment.
- 13% would consider permanent closure if disruption persists.
What we are asking MSPs to support
- Urgent, transparent travel updates – ensuring guests and businesses can plan with confidence.
- Targeted marketing reassurance – a national campaign to keep Argyll & Bute on the visitor map.
- Investment in alternative transport – especially ferry reliability and resilience.
- Direct business support – grants, tax relief, or rates adjustments to keep viable businesses alive.
- Practical infrastructure improvements – diversions, signage, and safe alternative routes to keep the region connected.
The A83 closure is not simply a roadworks project. It is a potential economic catastrophe for Argyll & Bute and a reputational crisis for Scotland. Visitors who are turned away by inaccessibility will not simply delay their trip – they will go elsewhere, and they may never come back.
Self-catering operators are resilient and deeply embedded in their communities, but they cannot absorb sustained disruption in isolation. Unless decisive action is taken now, we face business closures, job losses, stalled investment, and a tourism economy in long-term decline.
The message from the sector is clear: we need urgent communication, reliable access, and direct support. Without it, Scotland risks losing not only businesses, but the confidence of visitors on which our rural economy depends.