Introduction
Right then, I’m John Richardson—host of Richardson’s Rubicon and proprietor of a decent B&B that’s seen its fair share of guests. Today, I’m fired up about Scotland’s new Visitor Levy. Don’t let the name fool you—this isn’t some “tourist tax” you can shrug off. It’s a charge slapped on everyone booking accommodation here, whether you’re a Glaswegian on a weekend break or a family visiting from Newcastle. And mark my words, it’ll hit us all where it hurts: the wallet.

Cutting Through the Spin
First off, let’s nail this myth: calling it a “tourist tax” is pure spin. This levy’s universal. Doesn’t matter if you’ve lived here 60 years or six hours—if you book a bed, you’re paying. Councils are salivating at the chance to milk this cash cow, and they’re not shy about who foots the bill.

Ignoring the Backbone of Tourism
What galls me is the sheer arrogance of it. Trade bodies—the folks who actually run accommodation businesses—have been shouting till they’re blue in the face about the damage this’ll do. But councils? Deaf as posts. They’d rather cozy up to CoSLA and the SNP than listen to the people keeping Scotland’s tourism engine running.

Invasion, Plain and Simple
And here’s the kicker: this isn’t just about money. It’s a license for the council to march into my B&B, demand my books, and rifle through my guests’ details. Edinburgh’s even got a form asking for data they’ll hoover up for who-knows-what. Last I checked, my business wasn’t a charity for snoops.

Playing Fast and Loose with Risk
Now, I managed risks for a living before running my guesthouse. Let me tell you: rolling out a tax this big without proper assessments? It’s reckless. Councils like Argyll and Bute are using public consultations as a fig leaf for due diligence. That’s like using a tea towel to fix a burst pipe—it won’t hold. If they can’t grasp the risks—driving visitors away, gutting domestic tourism—they’ve no business waving this through.

Follow the Money
Let’s not kid ourselves. This levy’s a cash grab, pure and simple. CoSLA’s cosied up to the Scottish Government, peddling rosy visitor number estimates to justify lining council coffers. Meanwhile, local businesses? We’re left holding the bag when bookings dry up.

And the tail wagging the dog? The real risk is the council upping the rate until they reach their fiscal target and to hell with the consequences. 

Time to Push Back
So here’s the plan: don’t sit quiet. Bombard those consultations. Grill your councillor at the next meeting. And come 2026, vote like your livelihood depends on it—because it does. If any councillors fancy defending this mess on my show, the mic’s yours. But bring facts, not flannel.

Final Word
This levy’s a storm cloud over Scottish tourism, and we’re the ones stuck without an umbrella. Let’s not wait till it’s pouring to act.

P.S. Share this far and wide. The campaign site: https://argyllandbutevisitorlevy.com

Forum: https://richardsonsrubicon.com/community/main-category-episode-topics/the-ugly-truth-about-the-visitor-levy-in-scotland/

Share this far and wide. The campaign site: https://argyllandbutevisitorlevy.com

VisitScotland, a government organisation, says the number of visitors who stayed overnight is 461,000. https://www.visitscotland.org/research-insights/regions/argyll-isles

The Scottish Tourism Economic Activity Monitor “STEAM”, produced by Global Tourism Solutions (UK) Ltd commissioned by the council says 1.84 Million people stayed overnight. https://argyllandbutevisitorlevy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ARGBU-Final-STEAM-FINAL-01-Jul-24-CC.pdf

The Public Consultation uses the estimated STEAM number for people that have day visits and stay overnight. A combined 2.8 Million.

Freedom of Information, the BRIA and the letter to all councillors about the public consultation: https://argyllandbutevisitorlevy.com/community/main-forum/letter-to-all-councillors-19th-december-about-business-risk-and-impact-assessments/

The involvement of CoSLA: https://argyllandbutevisitorlevy.com/community/main-forum/article-post-on-fb-by-aba-argyll-and-bute-business-alliance-about-the-involvment-of-cosla/

A participating Council tracker: https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/advice/visitor-levy#proposed

A Visitor Levy significantly undermines Scotland’s destination competitiveness, particularly considering that our VAT level is significantly higher than many European countries. This potential impact on our competitiveness is a key concern. We have consistently said, ‘now is not the time’.

https://business.wildaboutargyll.co.uk/latest-news/visitor-levy-act-2024-and-argyll-bute-scheme-proposals/

The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) remains extremely concerned about the introduction of a visitor levy scheme in any local authority in Scotland, especially in light of the difficult economic climate and the emerging complexity of the current charging model.

Introducing a successful visitor levy scheme is about the right application, right place and right time, if it is to act as a force for good that enhances our visitor offer and appeal. However, the STA believes none of these conditions of success are currently in place. Instead, adopting this policy now will cause more harm than good.
https://scottishtourismalliance.co.uk/summary-of-position-statements/