📢 Join the Highland Visitor Levy Industry Forum Join Visit Inverness Loch Ness for the Highland Visitor Levy Industry Forum, immediately after the Regional Gathering on Wednesday 4th November. 📍 Highland Cinema, Fort William 🕞 3:30pm–5:30pm 🎟️ Free to attend Hear the latest industry perspectives on Highland Council’s proposed Visitor Levy, discuss key concerns and opportunities, and help shape the evidence informing the Council’s December decision. 👉 Register here: assc.co.uk/event/visitor-lev… Please note: This is a separate event from the ASSC Regional Gathering, so a separate registration is required. @visitiln @FionaCampbell74

Scotland's tourism agency axes a third of staff as income plunges by £7.7m “Tourism and events is one of the most inclusive, scalable and resilient sectors of the Scottish economy. Strong interest in Scotland as a destination, alongside growth in global travel, presents a clear opportunity to grow Scotland’s visitor economy in a way that benefits people and places across the country." heraldscotland.com/news/2667… @FionaCampbell74

"We do not have a problem, at least as regards self-catering, in East Lothian." eastlothiancourier.com/opini… @SaveSCScotland

🤝 A big thank you to Interhome for supporting our Fort William Regional Gathering as Regional Sponsor! With more than 60 years of experience, Interhome connects holiday home owners with guests from across the world, combining international reach with local expertise and on-the-ground support. We’re pleased to have Interhome’s support as we bring self-catering operators together for our final Regional Gathering of 2026, exploring the challenges facing the sector and the opportunities ahead. 🎟️ Interested in joining us? Find out more and book your ticket here: assc.co.uk/event/assc-region… #ASSCFORTWILLIAM2026

Scotland’s experience is making headlines in Mexico. ASSC Chief Executive Fiona Campbell MBE has reached the Mexican press with a stark warning on short-term rental regulation: “Don’t copy us.” The message? Regulation must be evidence-led, proportionate and focused on solving real problems - not creating new ones. Scotland’s experience is now serving as a warning internationally. heraldodemexico.com.mx/opini… @SaveSCScotland @FionaCampbell74

ASSC Calls for Fuller Assessment of Falkirk Visitor Levy Risks The ASSC is urging Falkirk Council to publish a fuller assessment of the potential impact of its proposed 5% Visitor Levy before deciding whether to proceed. Fiona Campbell MBE, ASSC Chief Executive, said: “We need councillors to understand what Falkirk could lose as well as what the Council might collect.” Self-catering supports an estimated £5.6 million in annual GVA and 190 jobs in Falkirk. 🔗 Read the full update and letter to councillors: assc.co.uk/news/assc-calls-f… @FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland

The ASSC is calling for clarity over Fife Council’s proposed short-term let control area in St Andrews and the East Neuk, urging clear assurances for existing businesses ahead of discussions on 28th October. 🔗 Read more: assc.co.uk/news/assc-seeks-c… @FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland

⚖️ ASSC Welcomes European Court Judgment on Short-Term Let Regulation A new European Court judgment examines the justification for short-term let restrictions, highlighting the importance of evidence-based decisions, local circumstances and clear safeguards for operators. The ASSC will assess its potential relevance to Scotland with our expert legal and policy advisers, including in relation to planning control areas and Mandatory Condition 13. The judgment does not automatically change Scottish requirements, but may offer useful insights for our ongoing work towards fair, proportionate regulation. 🔗 Read more: assc.co.uk/news/assc-welcome… @FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland

ASSC Backs The Herald’s ‘Reset the Rates’ Campaign The ASSC is proud to support The Herald’s Reset the Rates campaign, calling for reform of Scotland’s non-domestic rates system to address rising costs and uncertainty for businesses. ASSC Chief Executive Fiona Campbell MBE said: “Self-caterers across Scotland opened their rates bills this year to increases they never saw coming, with many seeing their valuations more than double when nothing about their business had changed.” Fiona highlighted the need for a fairer system, adding: “A national assessor would end the lottery of where in Scotland you happen to operate, and protection against sudden, unaffordable jumps would let people plan ahead instead of wondering whether they can carry on.” The campaign calls for six key changes, including a fairer deal for hospitality and tourism accommodation, greater consistency in valuations and protection against sudden, unaffordable increases. 🔗 Read more about the campaign: assc.co.uk/news/assc-backs-t… @FionaCampbell74 @st_alliance @UKHofficial @scothospgroup

🌿 Our Resilient Heritage: Adapting Scottish Tourism to Climate Change 📅 Monday 26th October | 9.30am–3.30pm 📍 The Engine Shed, Stirling How can tourism businesses prepare for the impacts of climate change? Developed in collaboration with VisitScotland, this free practical workshop will explore climate risks, adaptation planning, funding opportunities and ways to build resilience for the future. A follow-up online session will take place on 18th November. 🎟️ Register here: assc.co.uk/event/our-resilie… @VisitScotNews

🌍 ASSC at SCALE Fest 2026 This weekend, ASSC Chief Executive Fiona Campbell MBE DUniv is in Barcelona representing Scotland’s self-catering sector at SCALE Fest 2026. On Saturday, Fiona will join international association colleagues for “Nobody’s Coming to Save Us: The Global Regulation Exchange”, a panel discussion exploring how the short-term rental sector can make its voice heard, influence decisions and help shape the future of the industry. 📍 World Trade Center, Barcelona 🔗 Find out more: assc.co.uk/event/scale-fest-… #SCALEFest #SelfCatering #ShortTermRentals @FionaCampbell74

Buell Hospitality Business Exchange | Dunblane 📅 Tuesday 27th October 2026 | 11am–6pm 📍 Apex Dunblane Hydro Hotel Independent hotel owners, operators, investors and senior hospitality leaders are invited to the Buell Hospitality Business Exchange for a day of practical insights, industry discussion and networking. The complimentary event will feature three expert-led presentations, opportunities to exchange ideas with fellow hospitality professionals, conversations with specialist business partners and a networking drinks reception. With a focus on real hospitality challenges and commercially relevant insights, it’s an opportunity to make valuable connections and explore fresh perspectives. 🎟️ Attendance is free for the intended hospitality audience, but advance registration is required and places are limited. Book your place: assc.co.uk/event/buell-hospi… @HMATaxUK

🌄 Changing the Narrative: Scotland’s Story, Our Shared Opportunity How do we collectively tell a more positive and compelling story about tourism in Scotland? Our final panel of the day will bring together voices from tourism, food and drink, and the West Highland business community to explore how we can better demonstrate the value tourism brings to local economies and communities. The discussion will explore: 🤝 Collaboration across sectors 📣 Telling a more positive story about tourism 🏡 The contribution of self-catering to Scotland’s visitor economy 🌍 Showcasing what makes Scotland distinctive 💼 Demonstrating tourism’s value to local economies and communities Meet the panellists: 🎤 Fiona Richmond, Head of Regional Food, Scotland Food & Drink 🎤 Frazer Coupland, CEO, West Highland Chamber of Commerce 🎤 Russell Fraser, Managing Director, Loch Ness Hub & Travel and Chair of Scottish Community Tourism (SCOTO) The session will be chaired by Fiona MacConnacher, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Historic Houses and Vice Chair of the Scottish Tourism Alliance. 🎟️ Find out more and book your place: assc.co.uk/event/assc-region… #ASSCFORTWILLIAM2026

📣 ASSC Publishes Open Letter to Scottish Greens Calling for Short-Term Let Regulatory Reform The ASSC has published an open letter to the Scottish Green Party, calling for a collaborative approach to resolving ongoing issues with Scotland’s short-term let regulatory framework. The letter highlights the uncertainty facing licensed businesses due to inconsistent planning decisions and calls for clearer, fairer regulation, including a dedicated planning category for self-catering. The ASSC has also requested a meeting with the Scottish Greens to discuss a practical way forward and help resolve the ongoing impasse between the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government. 📄 Read the open letter and full press release: assc.co.uk/news/assc-publish… @FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland @scottishgreens

📣 Fiona Campbell Calls for Clarity on Self-Catering Regulation ASSC Chief Executive Fiona Campbell appeared on Reporting Scotland on BBC News at 7pm last night to discuss the ongoing challenges facing self-catering businesses in Edinburgh, including the relationship between short-term let licensing and planning permission. Speaking about the current system, Fiona said: 💬 “We're not afraid of regulation at all in any way, shape, or form. However, it has to work and it has to be fit for purpose.” She highlighted the need for “clarity, consistency, and certainty” for professional operators, explaining that licensing and planning serve two distinct purposes and should operate separately. Fiona also called for a more constructive approach to resolving the issues facing the sector, with a system that supports responsible businesses while addressing the concerns of local residents. 🎥 Watch the interview before it expires at 7pm tonight. Fiona’s interview begins at approximately 12 minutes into the recording: bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0… #ScottishTourism #SelfCatering @FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland @st_alliance @BBCScotlandNews

📊 What Is the Data Telling Us? Good decisions start with good information. Our afternoon programme will explore the latest trends and insights shaping the self-catering market, with a particular focus on the Highlands. Chris Baxter, Head of Commercial at SuperControl, will lead the session on behalf of Key Data, sharing the latest market insights and what they mean for operators. The session will explore what the data tells us about: 📈 Demand 📅 Booking behaviour 🏡 Performance 📍 The Highland market And, importantly, how operators can use these insights to make better-informed decisions. 🎟️ Find out more and book your place: assc.co.uk/event/assc-region… #ASSCFORTWILLIAM2026 @supercontrol @FionaCampbell74

Fiona Campbell MBE, Chief Executive of the ASSC, has joined a wide range of influential business leaders and industry organisations in supporting The Herald’s calls for business rates reform in Scotland. High-profile Scottish chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, pub operators and other business owners have joined the country’s leading trade organisations in backing Reset The Rates, a campaign calling for six major changes to Scotland’s business rates system. Read more here: heraldscotland.com/news/2665… @FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland

Business rates reform: The Herald launches Reset the Rates campaign "For many Scottish business owners, the arrival of a new rates bill has become a moment to dread. Hotels, pubs, restaurants and tourist accommodation providers have reported sharp and unexpected increases in costs following the latest revaluation of non-domestic property in Scotland, leaving many scrambling to find thousands of pounds extra every month to meet their bills." Read more here: heraldscotland.com/news/2663… @FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland

Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive of the ASSC, was on BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast this morning discussing a reported loophole in the law that is allowing some operators to continue operating short-term lets without planning permission. While the ASSC agrees that this uncertainty must be resolved, Fiona believes the term “loophole” does not adequately describe the issue. The ASSC wants this fixed and will continue to ask the Scottish Government for clarity, consistency, certainty and a fair route to compliance. A new Use Class would achieve that. 🎧 Listen back from 2:21 to 2:30 in the programme: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00333… @FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland

The impact of short-term lets on local communities in Scotland was discussed this morning on BBC Radio Scotland Mornings with Connie McLaughlin, from 9.03am to 9.30am. Fiona Campbell MBE, Chief Executive of the ASSC, joined the discussion to share her perspective on the topic. 🎧 Listen back to the session here: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/b… @FionaCampbell74 @SaveSCScotland