ASSC Scotland

06/09/2026

68%.

More than two-thirds of operators responding to our latest ASSC Spring Barometer survey told us that running their self-catering business had negatively affected their mental health or wellbeing.

It's a figure we can't ignore.

Our members are running businesses, welcoming visitors and supporting jobs, communities and local economies while navigating rising costs, regulation, uncertainty and the everyday pressures of operating a small business.

As a trade association, our role isn't only to gather this evidence. It's to make sure it is heard.

We will continue to highlight the cumulative impact of the pressures facing our sector – including the impact on the people behind these businesses - in our engagement with government and decision-makers.

Over the coming weeks, we'll also be looking at some of the practical things we can do to look after ourselves and one another.

Read more: https://www.assc.co.uk/news/behind-every-business-is-a-person-assc-launches-mental-health-wellbeing-campaign/

SAMH Hospitality Health VisitScotland.org

05/09/2026

💷 Could you be missing out on capital allowances?

The abolition of the Furnished Holiday Let regime has left many self-catering owners wondering what they can still claim, and whether previously unclaimed allowances could be worth thousands.

Join Jason from Eureka Capital Allowances for an upcoming ASSC Talk covering:

📅 22nd September 2026
⏰ 11:00am–12:00pm
🎟️ Free for members using the promo code | Non-members welcome

Find out what may qualify, which allowances are commonly missed, and why the January 2027 Self Assessment deadline could be important.

If you own a holiday let, this is a session worth attending.

👉 Find out more and register: https://www.assc.co.uk/event/assc-talk-final-opportunity-to-claim-capital-allowances-on-your-holiday-let/

Eureka Capital Allowances

04/09/2026

Dundee’s Visitor Levy consultation is now open, giving businesses and other stakeholders the opportunity to have their say on proposals for a levy in the city.

The 12-week consultation runs until 27th November 2026 and is seeking views on two options:

- £5 flat-rate levy per room, per night
- 5% levy based on the nightly room rate

Both options would be capped at seven nights. If introduced, the Council states that the levy would not come into effect until 2028/29.

Now is the time to review the proposals and make your views known.

Complete consultation here:

Dundee Visitor Levy Consultation Now Open: Have Your Say

04/09/2026

📣 Advocacy in Action: August Round-Up

August was another busy month for ASSC advocacy, with work continuing across Scotland while Parliament was in recess.

From planning and licensing to Visitor Levy, Non-Domestic Rates and climate action, we’ve been challenging proposals, gathering evidence directly from businesses and making sure the voice of Scotland’s self-catering sector is heard.

We’ve also taken the experiences of businesses in Shetland and Aberdeen directly into our wider advocacy.

With Parliament returning, our work continues. Find out what we’ve been doing on your behalf 👇
https://www.assc.co.uk/news/advocacy-in-action-august-2026-round-up/

04/09/2026

Aberdeen businesses need the conditions to thrive

The future of Aberdeen is full of opportunity, but businesses need confidence to invest, employ and grow.

Following a Learning Journey to Aberdeen with the Scottish Hospitality Group, the ASSC has heard directly from hospitality and self-catering businesses about the pressures they are facing, from rising operating costs and Non-Domestic Rates to reduced footfall, roadworks, regulation and the proposed 7% Visitor Levy.

Businesses are ambitious about Aberdeen’s future. Now, a more joined-up approach is needed to ensure they can thrive through the city’s economic transition.

The ASSC and SHG are calling for:

- A cumulative economic impact assessment
- A review of the 2026 NDR revaluation
- Consideration of transitional support
- A more proportionate approach to the 70-night requirement
- Greater scrutiny of the proposed Visitor Levy

Read the full findings and recommendations from the Aberdeen Learning Journey 👇
https://www.assc.co.uk/news/aberdeen-businesses-need-conditions-to-thrive-as-city-navigates-economic-transition-2/

Scottish Hospitality Group

03/09/2026

ASSC responds to Scotland’s Programme for Government 2026–2031

The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government sets out a renewed focus on economic growth, reducing bureaucracy and creating a better environment for businesses.

ASSC welcomes these commitments, but the focus must now be on turning them into meaningful action for Scotland’s tourism and self-catering businesses.

Fiona Campbell MBE, ASSC Chief Executive, said:

“We share the First Minister’s ambition to make Scotland the best place to do business and we welcome the commitment to cutting bureaucracy. But that rhetoric now has to be realised through meaningful action.

This week, we learned that international visitor numbers to Scotland are up, but domestic demand is softening as households watch their budgets, and that’s the market our sector relies on most.

If the government wants tourism businesses to survive and thrive, that means proportionate reform of short-term let regulation, a non-domestic rates burden that doesn’t keep climbing, and that the growing patchwork of visitor levies don’t price us out against competitor destinations.”

ASSC will continue to engage with the Scottish Government and decision-makers to ensure the experience and evidence of Scotland’s self-catering sector is heard.

Read our full response: https://www.assc.co.uk/news/assc-responds-to-programme-for-government-2026-2031-business-commitments-must-translate-into-action/

03/09/2026

Behind Every Business is a Person

Running a self-catering business can be incredibly rewarding. But behind the warm welcomes, memorable stays and contribution our businesses make to Scotland’s communities are real people managing the everyday realities of running a small business – often alongside significant and sustained pressures.

That’s why today we’re launching Behind Every Business is a Person, our new Mental Health & Wellbeing campaign.

More than two-thirds of operators responding to our latest Barometer told us that running their business had negatively affected their mental health or wellbeing.
We think it’s time we talked about that.

Throughout September, we’ll be sharing the people behind Scotland’s self-catering businesses, practical wellbeing advice and information about where to find support, working alongside Hospitality Health and SAMH.

We’ll also continue to make sure the human impact of rising costs, cumulative regulation and continued uncertainty is heard by those making decisions affecting our sector.

Because behind every booking, every property, every licence and every statistic is a person.

💚 We listen. We support. We advocate.

Find out more about the campaign:
https://www.assc.co.uk/news/behind-every-business-is-a-person-assc-launches-mental-health-wellbeing-campaign/

SAMH Hospitality Health Scottish Tourism Alliance VisitScotland.org

03/09/2026

Moray Council consultation on potential tourist tax running until end of October.

Moray Council is inviting the community to have a say on a potential visitor levy for Moray.

01/09/2026

📢 Perth and Kinross Visitor Levy: Drop-in Sessions Begin This Week

Visitor Levy drop-in sessions begin this week, giving self-catering operators across Perth and Kinross the opportunity to speak directly with Perth and Kinross Council about its proposed Visitor Levy Scheme.

The first session takes place in Perth on Thursday 3 September, with seven further sessions taking place across the area throughout September.

🗣️ Ask questions and discuss the proposals
📍 Sessions taking place across Perth and Kinross
⏰ All sessions run from 4pm–7pm
📅 Consultation closes 11 November 2026

The ASSC is encouraging members to attend a session where possible and take part in the statutory consultation to ensure the practical implications for self-catering businesses are considered.

We have also produced guidance to help members respond to Visitor Levy consultations.

👉 Find out more and have your say: https://www.assc.co.uk/news/perth-and-kinross-visitor-levy-drop-in-sessions-begin-this-week-2/

01/09/2026

Popular UK destination set to be hit with £5 tourist tax

The plans are for the Scottish Highlands, where Highland Council has agreed to hold a public consultation on introducing a visitor levy.

Just great