Highland

Highland Council established its STL licensing scheme as required by Scottish Government legislation. The council covers the largest geographic area of any Scottish authority, with a diverse mix of urban, rural, and island communities.

Intense lobbying from the Badenoch & Strathspey community around housing availability in the Cairngorms area. The area has one of the highest concentrations of holiday lets relative to housing stock in Scotland, with concerns about impact on local housing, key worker accommodation, and community sustainability.

Highland became the second council in Scotland to confirm a Short-Term Let Control Area, but limited to the Badenoch & Strathspey ward only (confirmed 4 March 2024). This was a compromise — campaigners wanted a wider area, but the council limited it to the ward with the most acute pressure.

Ongoing consideration of whether to expand the STLCA beyond Badenoch & Strathspey to other Highland areas, particularly tourism hotspots like Fort William, Skye, and the North Coast 500 corridor. Any expansion requires Scottish Government assent.

Properties within the Cairngorms National Park boundary fall under the park authority for planning decisions, not Highland Council. This creates a dual-authority situation where licensing is handled by Highland Council but planning by the park authority — adding complexity for operators.

Highland Council introduced a policy allowing charges for enforcement inspections following licence condition breaches or complaints. Charges are proportionate and based on the officer's hourly rate, with a requirement to provide a report within 28 days or refund the fee.

The 2026 Non-Domestic Rates revaluation hit Highland operators particularly hard, with some rural self-catering businesses facing rate hikes of 400%+. The Scottish Government introduced targeted relief following ASSC lobbying, but many Highland operators remain concerned about long-term viability.