Roddick brings Highland voices to the table on motorhome levy

“It is about being honest about the challenges we face and caring for the long-term future of our home.”

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has brought together key stakeholders and the Scottish Government to discuss the potential for a future motorhome levy to support Highland communities.

The roundtable discussion, chaired by Ms Roddick, featured the Minister responsible for the Visitor Levy, Ivan McKee MSP, alongside representatives from the Highland Council, the North Coast 500 (NC500), and leaders from the caravan park industry.

The meeting focused on the unique infrastructure pressures facing the Highlands and how a specific motorhome levy could ensure the region continues to be a world-class destination while protecting the interests of local residents.

Ms Roddick has long advocated for a fair system that recognises the different impacts of various types of tourism. During the session, she highlighted that the current Visitor Levy proposals primarily target fixed accommodation, failing to monetise the large volume of motorhome users who make use of Highland roads and car parks, particularly in the summer.

Speaking after the roundtable, Ms Roddick said:

“I was reassured to hear such a productive dialogue between our local industries, the Highland Council, and the Scottish Government. For too long, our communities have felt the strain of increased traffic without seeing a direct reinvestment from every type of visitor.

“Like everyone who travels around the Highlands in the summer, I have seen the massive impact that motorhomes have on residents, without paying back into the local economy or for the public services they naturally put strain on.

“I am committed to finding a solution that is fair to both our local businesses and our guests. We want people to come and experience the beauty of the Highlands, but we must ensure we have the resources to maintain the very roads and facilities they come here to enjoy. It is about being honest about the challenges we face and caring for the long-term future of our home.”

The discussion explored what a future levy could look like, with the caravan park industry providing vital insight into how such a scheme could be implemented without placing an undue burden on small businesses. Ms Roddick intends to use the findings from this meeting to further press the Scottish Government to ensure the Highlands has the powers it needs to manage tourism sustainably.