Cruise round table in Orkney

Industry leaders from across the cruise sector are meeting in Orkney today (4 September) for a round table discussion on the potential to introduce a cruise passenger levy in Scotland.  

The discussion, the first of four to be held across the country, will be chaired by Mairi Gougeon MSP, who is the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform, and Islands.

The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, recently passed by the Scottish Parliament, gives local authorities the power to introduce a levy on overnight accommodation.

As the Act passed through parliament stakeholders, MSPs, local authorities, and others raised the potential to create a levy that applied to cruise ships.

The Scottish Government have committed to exploring the issues around such a levy, and to launching a formal public consultation on a cruise ship levy before the end of 2024.

As part of this work the Scottish Government is holding roundtable events in Orkney, Edinburgh, Inverness, and Greenock.

These events will be chaired by a range of relevant Ministers and will explore issues linked to a potential cruise ship levy in Scotland, including the opportunities and challenges a cruise ship levy could bring. 

The roundtables will also examine practical issues around any cruise ship levy, and how any funding it raised could, or should, be used.

Councillor Kristopher Leask is Chair of the Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee. He said “The new Visitor Levy legislation represents a potentially transformational opportunity to generate benefits for local communities and visitors – and as a Council we will be exploring that potential over the coming months.  

“During the consultation that led to the new legislation, there was a push from communities across Scotland – including our own - for consideration to be given to how this might be applied to cruise passengers, given the scale of the industry, particularly in Orkney.  These discussions are the first stage in that – and we are looking forward to hearing the range of views that will be expressed at that table.”

The Minister will also be opening the annual UHI Islands Forum at UHI Orkney during her visit to the county. 

This bi-annual event brings together key stakeholders, including academic leaders, local authorities, and national bodies, to support the implementation of the UHI Islands Strategy 2024 - 2029. 

It serves as a platform for strategic planning, talent attraction, and workforce development, while strengthening partnerships to address challenges like depopulation, economic growth, and sustainability. The forum aligns with national initiatives, such as the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 and the Islands Growth Deal.

Vicki Nairn, UHI Principal and Vice-Chancellor and co-chair of the UHI Islands Forum said: "We are delighted to welcome Mairi Gougeon MSP, to the UHI Islands Forum in Orkney this year, bringing together key stakeholders to address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by our island communities. This forum reinforces UHI’s commitment to creating sustainable growth, fostering talent, and supporting vibrant, thriving island economies.”

Professor Seonaidh McDonald, UHI Orkney Principal and co-chair, added: “The Minister’s visit highlights the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to island communities. The UHI Islands Strategy 2024-2029, which closely aligns with Orkney Islands Council’s priorities of economic growth and community strength, will greatly benefit from her support. Together, we are ensuring that education and research play a central role in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for Orkney and the islands.”

The new nursery currently under construction in Kirkwall will be the final port of call for the Minister  

The £3.12m project has seen a new build nursery located next to the College campus with the location lending itself well to opportunities to support Childhood Practice Students as they develop their skills, therefore supporting a key sector which has had recruitment challenges.

The Council was successful in being awarded £1.683 million from the Scottish Government’s Island Infrastructure Fund as part of the Islands Programme, which supports the implementation of the 2019 National Islands Plan helping to make the Scottish islands even better places to live, study, work and raise a family. 

The new-build facility will save around 20 tonnes of CO2 annually in moving the nursery service from the old 1960 building to the new highly insulated building. 

Mairi Gougeon MSP said: “I am pleased to be in Orkney today chairing an event on a potential cruise ship levy. This is something of interest to many in Orkney, and I look forward to hearing the views of the council, cruise ship operators, and others.  We want to hear from stakeholders with a variety of views as we prepare for a formal public consultation starting later this year.

“I am also keen to see the progress at the new nursey in Kirkwall, supported by the Scottish Government’s Islands Programme, and having the chance to address the UHI Islands Forum to reiterate our commitment to working alongside island communities to tackle challenges and seize opportunities.”

Notes to editors 

Present at the meeting will be representatives from the Scottish Government, Orkney Islands Council, CoSLA, Destination Orkney, Cruise Lines International Association, Fred Olsen Cruises, British Ports Association and Royal Caribbean  

Analysis carried out by the Scottish Government has identified approximately 930 cruise visits to Scottish ports in 2024, with a combined passenger capacity of 1.15 million. This is an increase from 2019, when they were 893 cruise ship calls bringing 817,000 passengers. 

The areas scheduled to welcome the most passengers are Invergordon, Orkney, Edinburgh, Lerwick, and Greenock