Residents, businesses, community groups, and visitors are encouraged to attend upcoming webinars to learn more about the proposed Highland Visitor Levy and how they can contribute to the formal consultation process. The online webinars are scheduled for Wednesday 14 October and Wednesday 28 October 2026, both commencing at 6:30pm.
Convener, Cllr Bill Lobban, stated, "We know there is significant public interest in the proposed Visitor Levy consultation, and we are encouraged by the uptake to date. However, with 7 weeks to go until the consultation closes, we want to ensure everyone can access information and take part in the statutory consultation process. These webinars are to help people better understand the proposal, hear more about how it could operate, and find out how they can share their views through the formal consultation."
He reiterated that "no decision has been made on whether a Visitor Levy will be introduced in the Highlands. The purpose of this statutory consultation is to gather public feedback that will inform a report to The Highland Council, when Councillors will decide whether to introduce a Visitor Levy scheme in Highland."
The council encourages interested parties to read the available information explaining the legislative requirements of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, potential operational models, and the framework for investing any funds raised. "Should a Visitor Levy be introduced in the future, the legislation is clear; any net proceeds must be used to support the scheme's objectives and invested in facilities and services that benefit visitors and local communities. However, at this stage, our main focus is on listening to the views of residents, businesses, visitors and stakeholders through the consultation process."
During the webinars, attendees will receive information on the legislation available to local authorities and how it could be used to design a Visitor Levy Scheme to support the visitor economy across Highland. The presentation will also detail the consultation process, anticipated timelines, and the supporting information available to assist with consultation responses before the closing date of 30 November 2026.
To ensure accessibility, questions can be submitted in advance by registered attendees via email to visitorlevyconsultation@highland.gov.uk by 12 noon the day before each session. Questions will be anonymised, grouped by theme, and answered during the webinar. Responses to frequently raised issues will be added to the updated Frequently Asked Questions document.
As the webinars are intended to provide information and answer pre-submitted questions efficiently, they will not be recorded, and attendees will not have access to video, microphone, or chat functions. Supplementary questions can be submitted by email after the webinar, with responses added to the FAQ document on Engage Highland where appropriate.
Individuals wishing to attend are encouraged to register in advance and submit questions before the deadline. The consultation portal can be found at Engage Highland.
