Bonaly Scout Centre will qualify for an exemption from Edinburgh’s new Visitor Levy.
As reported in C&B News’s November 2024 issue, there were fears that the Centre, which currently hosts hundreds of young people every year for a variety of educational and wellbeing purposes, would have to collect the so-called “tourist tax” on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council.
Although the Levy – approved by the full CEC on Friday 24 January – now applies “to all overnight accommodation” within the city’s boundaries – including “all paid accommodation on caravan sites and campsites” – exemptions will be granted if the properties are occupied by a charity (or trustee of a charity) and if the accommodation is “wholly or mainly for charitable purposes.”
The Chair of Bonaly Scout Centre, Peter Casebow, told C&B News: “We’ve had correspondence from the Council confirming that they believe the exemption clauses mean that we will be exempt from the Visitor Levy, which we are delighted about.”
He added: “I’m very grateful to City of Edinburgh Council for taking such a sensible and pragmatic approach to the issue, without which the levy would have applied to Bonaly Scout Centre. Scott Arthur MP was also of significant help and support in discussing the issue with the Council.”
Edinburgh’s Visitor Levy will apply to overnight stays in the city from 24 July 2026, booked and paid for (in part or in full) on or after 1 May 2025.
The Levy rate will be 5%, regardless of time of year, payable for a maximum of five consecutive nights (SNP councillors argued for 7%; the Scottish Green Party wanted it set at 8%; the Conservatives suggested 4%). VAT – of 20% – will also be paid on the Levy.
Regarding distribution of the resulting funds, CEC proposes: 2% on “participatory budgeting” (where the use of funds is decided directly by local residents); £5 million on housing; and the rest split between city operations and infrastructure (55%), culture, heritage and events (35%), and destination and visitor management (10%).
The “participatory budgeting” as proposed includes a fixed allocation of £100,000 a year per council ward across the city, including Pentland Hills and Colinton/Fairmilehead.
