An invitation to tender to provide the contract is now live on the Public Contracts Scotland website. Following an appointment, it is anticipated that work will get underway in January 2025.

In September 2024 at a meeting of the Comhairle’s Sustainable Development Committee it was agreed the Comhairle would develop a detailed outline of an Outer Hebrides Visitor Levy Scheme.

A formal engagement process with local communities, tourism businesses and organisations and other stakeholders will take place over the winter months to understand potential impacts and help shape the design of a future scheme if progressed.

A cost-benefit analysis - measuring the benefits of a scheme versus the associated costs – will also be undertaken. The findings of the feasibility investigations will then be presented to Councillors to inform a decision on whether to follow other councils in introducing a visitor levy.

The contract value of up to a maximum of £60,000, states that equal time be allocated to work for each of the three island authorities.

Cllr Donald Crichton, Chair of Sustainable Development said:

 “It is important to ensure that tourism delivers a positive experience for locals and visitors alike. To achieve this, it is vital that we receive the funding required to make sure that infrastructure and facilities keep pace with demand. The development of a visitor levy will support this aim. I welcome the partnership with Orkney and Shetland on this matter and look forward to seeing the findings of the feasibility study.”