If a stay by Loch Katrine is on your radar for 2027, booking before the end of this year is the simplest way to sidestep the new Stirling visitor levy. Stirling Council is bringing in new regulations from June 2027, and because Loch Katrine, the Trossachs and Old Smiddy Cottage all sit within the council area, it applies here too. There’s a simple way round it, though, and it comes down to when you book rather than when you stay.
What is the Stirling Visitor Levy?
New legislation, the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, now allows Scottish councils to add a small charge onto overnight accommodation. It’s not just Stirling doing this either. Edinburgh brought in a 5% levy back in July 2026, Glasgow’s version starts in January 2027, and West Dunbartonshire and Aberdeen both have their own schemes in the pipeline. Stirling’s approach is one of the more modest ones on the table.
Stirling Council settled on a 3% levy, applied year-round to all paid overnight accommodation across the area — that includes self-catering cottages, hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, and caravan or camping sites. Essentially, anywhere you’d book to stay overnight falls under the scheme. Unlike some other councils charging a flat fee, Stirling’s is calculated as a percentage of the total accommodation cost.
Where Does the Money Go?
This isn’t a charge that disappears into general council funds. Stirling Council has committed to reinvesting everything raised back into the local tourism economy — better infrastructure, more events and festivals, heritage projects, and continued investment in the destinations that draw people here in the first place, including Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
So while it’s still an added cost, it’s one that’s meant to feed back into the experience of visiting the area, both for tourism businesses and for the National Park itself.
When Does It Start, and Am I Affected?
Here’s the part that actually matters if you’re planning ahead:
- The levy applies to stays from 14th June 2027 onwards
- It only applies to bookings made on or after 1st January 2027
- Book before 1st January 2027, and your stay is exempt — even if the stay itself falls after June 2027
That last point is worth acting on. If a Loch Katrine trip for next summer is already on your radar, booking before the new year locks in the exemption and saves the charge entirely.
Staying more than seven nights? The levy is charged upfront but only genuinely applies to the first seven — anything beyond that can be reclaimed as a refund directly from Stirling Council once your stay is complete. Stirling Council residents are exempt altogether, along with a small number of other specific circumstances.
Common Questions About the Levy
How much is the Stirling visitor levy?
3%, charged on the total accommodation cost before VAT.
Do I have to pay if I’ve already booked?
If your booking was made before 1st January 2027, no — you’re exempt regardless of when your stay takes place.
Does it apply to self-catering cottages?
If your booking was made before 1st January 2027, no — you’re exempt regardless of when your stay takes place.
Is Stirling the only council doing this?
No. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and West Dunbartonshire have all introduced their own visitor levy schemes, with rates varying by area.
Planning Ahead
If a stay by Loch Katrine is on your radar for 2027, booking before the end of this year is the simplest way to sidestep the new charge. While you’re planning, it’s worth taking a look at our wood-fired sauna and hot tub — one of the things that makes a stay here worth booking early for. Check availability and get in touch to secure your dates, or explore what’s around us to start planning your trip.
For the full official breakdown, including exemptions and how refunds work for longer stays, Stirling Council’s visitor levy scheme page has all the details.
