Supporting Self-Catering in Scotland. The trade association representing the #SelfCatering #ShortTermLet sector. Member benefits, support, representation.
Scotland
Joined February 2010
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📢 Upcoming ASSC Talk - Licensing Renewals: A Practical Guide to Preparing with Confidence
With the majority of Scotland’s first-issued short-term let licences due for renewal over the next 12 months, now is the time to get prepared.
Join the ASSC and STL Solutions on Thursday, 19th November, 11am–12pm, for a practical webinar covering:
🔹 When and how to renew your licence, including the risks of late or incomplete applications
🔹 New or changing licensing requirements
🔹 Planning implications within Control Areas
🔹 Compliance checks and legal responsibilities
🔹 Practical steps to minimise risks and prepare with confidence
🎟️ Free for ASSC members using the member promo code, with non-members also welcome.
Book Your Place: assc.co.uk/event/licensing-r…
@FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland
🎤 Meet Angus MacDonald OBE MP at the ASSC Regional Gathering
We’re pleased to welcome Angus MacDonald OBE MP to our upcoming Regional Gathering in Fort William, where he’ll share his perspective on the Highlands, its communities and the importance of a strong and sustainable visitor economy.
Angus is the MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire and has deep roots in the Highlands, having grown up at The Clachaig Inn in Glencoe. With a background in entrepreneurship across several sectors, he now owns the Highland Bookshop and Highland Cinema in Fort William.
Join us to hear from Angus and a range of speakers and panellists exploring the challenges and opportunities facing Scotland’s self-catering sector and wider tourism industry.
🎟️ Find out more and book your place: assc.co.uk/event/assc-region…
#ASSCFORTWILLIAM2026
@FionaCampbell74
📢 New: Free Edinburgh Visitor Levy Calculator for ASSC Members
The ASSC has launched a free Edinburgh Visitor Levy Calculator for ASSC members, provided by STL Accounting and Finance, to help members prepare the figures required for their quarterly returns.
The calculator helps operators calculate the levy, operator retention and amount payable to the Council, while producing a downloadable CSV record pack.
The tool is available free of charge through the ASSC members-only website.
🔗 ASSC members can find out more and access the calculator here: assc.co.uk/news/assc-launche…
Thank you to STL Accounting and Finance for developing this practical resource to support our members.
@FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland
🎤 Your ASSC: More for Members with Victoria Brooks
At the ASSC Regional Gathering in Fort William, we’ll hear from Victoria Brooks, who is strategy, marketing and communications at the ASSC.
Victoria will share what’s new at ASSC, highlight the benefits and resources available to members, and look ahead at what’s coming next. With over 18 years of experience in Scottish tourism and more than 20 years running a self-catering property in Perthshire, she brings both sector-wide knowledge and first-hand experience of the industry.
🎟️ Join us in Fort William: assc.co.uk/event/assc-region…
#ASSCFORTWILLIAM2026
📢 Updated! Edinburgh Visitor Levy: Information for Accommodation Providers
The City of Edinburgh Council has updated its Edinburgh Visitor Levy Scheme: Information for Accommodation Providers guidance to provide further clarification on the levy requirements.
Key additions include guidance on OTA commission, gift cards and loyalty points, complimentary stays, room upgrades, cancellations and refunds, and record-keeping requirements.
Edinburgh-based accommodation providers are encouraged to review the updated guidance to understand their responsibilities.
📄 Read the updated guidance and access the Information Pack: assc.co.uk/news/edinburgh-vi…
@Edinburgh_CC @FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland @VisitScotNews @st_alliance
Highland visitor levt fears: ‘businesses will close and jobs will be lost’
inverness-courier.co.uk/news…
@FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland
Sonder withdraws TOMS appeal: What operators need to know
Following Sonder’s withdrawal of its appeal against the Upper Tribunal’s decision on the Tour Operators’ Margin Scheme (TOMS), ASSC is urging serviced accommodation operators to review their VAT position and seek specialist advice.
At a recent SCALE webinar, ASSC Chief Executive Fiona Campbell MBE joined VAT specialist Laura Chipp of VAT Nav and operator Steve Taggert of My Getaways to discuss the implications, historic VAT exposure and future treatment.
The message is clear: do not assume your current arrangements remain appropriate. Operators should seek specialist advice on their individual circumstances, review potential historic liabilities and assess the financial impact on their business.
Read the full article and watch the webinar for further information and practical next steps: assc.co.uk/news/sonder-withd…
@FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland
Scots in need of a holiday are finding themselves priced out of their own country
thetimes.com/uk/scotland/art…
🎉 The 2026 Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards winners have been announced!
Congratulations to all the winners, and to Orkney Retreats Ltd, winner of Best Self-Catering or Exclusive Use, and Boloquoy Victorian Farm & Watermill, winner of Best Accommodation or Unique Stay. 🏆
That’s all the regional winners announced! Best of luck to everyone heading to the Scottish Thistle Awards National Final at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 20th November.
View all of the regional winners here: assc.co.uk/news/2026-scottis…
#ScottishThistleAwards @HIThistleAwards @VisitScotNews @FionaCampbell74
🎤 Meet the Panel: State of the Nation - Navigating the Regulatory Landscape
What’s happening across Scotland’s regulatory landscape, and what do self-catering operators need to know?
Join us at the ASSC’s Fort William Regional Gathering for an expert panel discussion exploring the issues shaping the sector, from Short-Term Let Licensing and Planning Control Areas to Visitor Levies and Non-Domestic Rates.
Leading the session, Fiona Campbell MBE, ASSC Chief Executive, will share the latest State of the Nation update before welcoming three expert panellists:
💬 Ellen Walker, CEO of Visit Inverness Loch Ness
💬 Ross Armstrong, Head of Professional Services at STL Solutions
💬 Ruraidh Stewart, Councillor for Skye
Expect insights into the latest developments, practical discussion on what they mean for your business, and the opportunity to put your questions directly to the panel during the audience Q&A.
🎟️ Find out more and book your place: assc.co.uk/event/assc-region…
#ASSCFORTWILLIAM2026
@FionaCampbell74 @visitiln
📢 Visitor Levy consultations are open across Scotland.
If you’re a tourism business, resident or visitor, make your views heard. A levy affects Scots holidaying in Scotland too, with potential impacts on bookings, affordability, local spending and business viability.
The closing dates are:
Moray Council Visitor Levy: Closes 31st Oct 2026
Falkirk Council Visitor Levy Consultation: Closes 25th Nov 2026
Perth & Kinross Council Visitor levy Consultation: Closes 11th Nov 2026
Dundee City Council Visitor Levy Consultation: Closes 27th Nov 2026
Highland Council: Closes 30th Nov 2026
Fife Council: TBC
Fill in the live consultations here: assc.co.uk/news/tracking-vis…
@FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland @st_alliance
📢 Ullapool Visitor Levy Session Highlights Serious Concerns
Hosted by Ellen Fogel Walker of Visit Inverness Loch Ness and Fiona Campbell MBE, Chief Executive of the ASSC, the session brought together 26 participants on 7th October to discuss Highland Council’s proposed visitor levy.
Concerns included rising costs, workforce accommodation, rural employment and the potential impact on visitor spending.
📊 Of the 14 participants who completed the post-session response form, 13 expected a strongly harmful overall effect, while 11 said the proposal should not proceed.
The ASSC is urging Highland Council to publish its economic assessment and give businesses a meaningful opportunity to scrutinise the evidence before reaching a decision.
🔗 Read the full update: assc.co.uk/news/ullapool-vis…
@visitiln @FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland @HighlandCouncil
🎉 Congratulations to the 2026 South of Scotland Thistle Awards winners!
We’re especially delighted to celebrate ASSC member @airhouseslauder, who took home two regional awards:
🏆 Best Accommodation or Unique Stay
🏆 Inclusion Award
A fantastic achievement and a great recognition of the work behind Airhouses.
👏 Congratulations to all the South of Scotland winners, and best of luck to everyone progressing to the Scottish Thistle Awards National Final in November.
You can view the full list of regional winners announced so far here: assc.co.uk/news/2026-scottis…
#ScottishThistleAwards @HereScotland @VisitScotNews @fiona
Badenoch and Strathspey’s local MSP has questioned what he describes as a ‘merry-go-round of public money’ due to the region’s controversial proposed tourist tax and its potential impact on those visiting for medical treatment.
strathspey-herald.co.uk/news…
Federation of Small Businesses - FSB Scotland says the council should not move forward with the proposed tourism tax until challenges seen in other parts of Scotland are fully understood and addressed.
The warning comes as part of FSB's response to the council’s early engagement on a potential levy.
heraldscotland.com/news/2661…
@FSB_Scotland @FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland
📣 Four Weeks to Go!
We’re looking forward to welcoming you to the ASSC’s final Regional Gathering of 2026, taking place at Highland Cinema in Fort William on Wednesday 4th November.
🙌 Meet Our Exhibitors
We’re pleased to welcome West Holidays and Sykes Holiday Cottages to our growing line-up of exhibitors.
Come along to meet industry suppliers, discover useful products and services, and make new connections with businesses supporting the self-catering sector.
👉 See all of our exhibitors and find out more about them: guide.touchstay.com/guest/bA…
#ASSCFORTWILLIAM2026 @FionaCampbell74
Tomorrow | Visitor Levy Consultation with Industry Series: Self-Catering and Short-Term Lets
The ASSC and Visit Inverness Loch Ness are bringing self-catering and short-term let businesses together to discuss Highland Council’s proposed Visitor Levy.
Join the conversation, share your experiences and help shape the evidence that will inform the wider Highland industry response.
📅 Tomorrow, 7th October
🕐 1pm–3pm
📍 Online or in person at Ullapool Harbour Trust
🎟️ Free to attend
Book your place: assc.co.uk/event/visitor-lev…
@visitiln @FionaCampbell74
Argyll & Bute control areas: ASSC seeks clear evidence and protection for existing businesses
ASSC has written to Argyll & Bute Council welcoming its correction of consultation data and assurance that existing short-term let operators would not be retrospectively affected by proposed control areas.
We are now seeking clarity on the evidence behind the proposals and how this assurance will work in practice, including how the Council’s housing figures distinguish between short-term lets, second homes and long-term empty properties.
We are also seeking clear safeguards for established businesses, including no blanket requests for historic planning evidence and a fair, evidence-based process where individual planning issues arise.
The consultation has now been extended to 15th November 2026.
Read our full request for clarification: assc.co.uk/news/argyll-bute-…
@FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland
ASSC has written to Highland Council welcoming clarification that designation of a Short-Term Let Control Area does not itself create a retrospective requirement for planning permission.
We also welcome confirmation that licence renewal does not automatically require existing operators to obtain planning permission or a Certificate of Lawfulness.
We are now seeking clear, published safeguards to ensure established self-catering businesses are assessed consistently, fairly and on an individual, evidence-based basis.
Our letter sets out five principles, including no blanket requests for proof of planning status, proper consideration of historic use and a fair opportunity for operators to respond.
Read our full letter to Highland Council: assc.co.uk/news/highland-con…
@FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland
💡 What’s happening across Scotland’s self-catering sector, and what does it mean for your business?
At our Fort William Regional Gathering, ASSC Chief Executive Fiona Campbell MBE will open the day with a State of the Nation update, bringing together the latest developments, challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Fiona will then be joined by an expert panel to unpack some of the biggest issues currently affecting self-catering businesses, including Short-Term Let Licensing, Planning Control Areas, Visitor Levy and Non-Domestic Rates.
We’ll bring the day back together with Fiona’s closing reflections, looking at the key themes from the discussions and what comes next for Scotland’s self-catering sector.
📅 Wednesday 4th November 2026
📍 Highland Cinema, Fort William
⏰ 10am–3pm
🎟️ Come along and hear directly from Fiona and our other speakers:: assc.co.uk/event/assc-region…
#ASSCFORTWILLIAM2026
@supercontrol Booking.com @nexus_res
