I’m not saying the summer’s been a bit of a wash-out, but if you want to buy a practically unused patio set and barbeque give me a shout. Thankfully, no one holidays in Scotland if they don’t like unpredictable weather. And the evidence of your own eyes tells you, even if official “summer” was over before it started, the holiday season is still going strong.
Just walk through our city centres, or drive the beautiful roads of the Highlands. I was in London on business the other week and, while the streets were as tourist-thronged as you’d expect, they were nothing compared with Edinburgh mid-Festival. That’s a good thing.
We all know what a vital role tourism plays in the Scottish economy , generating £4.5bn a year and supporting more than 200,000 jobs. READ MORE: Ian McConnell: Scottish Government has made nation unattractive - really? Sure, the huge number of people who choose to holiday in Scotland can create some issues in specific places at particular times, but that pales into insignificance compared to the enormous benefits it brings, not least in jobs and taxes generated.
And those taxes will soon go up as a result of the visitor levy or “tourist tax”, which the Scottish Government has given local authorities the power to introduce. READ MORE: Ian McConnell: The bottom line on SNP's disappointing peak rail fares call First in Scotland will be in the capital, where the city council is forging ahead with plans to introduce a 5% levy on overnight stays .