Highland, Edinburgh Councils Back Cruise Ship Levy Plans

Highland Council and Edinburgh City Council have expressed strong support for a Scottish Government proposal to grant local authorities the power to impose a cruise ship levy to manage the impacts of increasing cruise tourism. Highland Council highlighted tourism growth pressures and suggested that a levy could generate revenue to mitigate these effects and sustain local infrastructure, with passenger numbers reaching nearly 300,000 at Highland ports in 2023. Edinburgh's council noted that about 217,500 cruise passengers visit annually and argued that cruise ship passengers should be treated equally to other overnight visitors by paying a levy, which could raise over £1 million for the city and region. Both councils emphasized the need for any legislation to be evidence-based and developed in close consultation with ports, the cruise industry, and regional partners. Concerns remain from the Port of Cromarty Firth that a levy might drive cruise operators to alternative destinations, but local authorities see the levy as a necessary tool to address environmental and community impacts. The proposed levy would mark a UK first, following examples from European ports, with revenues intended to be ringfenced for local benefits and sustainable tourism development.