Just in: Edinburgh slaps tax on festival visitors

Edinburgh Council, led by Jane Meagher (Labour), has announced measures to limit visits to the city:

From 24 July 2026, a 5% fee will be applied to the cost of overnight accommodation in Edinburgh, capped at five nights in a row. Businesses will need to apply the levy to any advance bookings made as of 1 October 2025 for stays on or after 24 July 2026.

Jane Meagher said:’What an historic moment for Edinburgh. Introducing this ground-breaking visitor levy means realising a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest tens of millions of pounds towards enhancing and sustaining the things that make our city such a great place to visit – and live in – all year round.’

The Edinburgh Festival will be hard hit. It has yet to respond.

As potential visitors, we know where we are not welcome.