Business rates threaten Scottish campsite closures

“Completely unviable”: concerns raised in Holyrood

Speaking during the debate, Ross said the campsite had warned that the increase would threaten its future, telling ministers, “They are saying that a rateable value of £30,000 will unfortunately make the business completely unviable and we will need to look at closing.”

He added that the issue was not confined to one area, cautioning that similar pressures could affect businesses across Scotland if the revaluation goes ahead unchanged.

Following the debate, Ross expanded on the issue in comments provided to Out & About Live, stressing the wider implications for small businesses such as campsites. He said, “The revaluation scheme is going to have a devastating effect on many of the small businesses I represent and others right across Scotland.”

What campsites should be aware of next

At present, the revaluation is scheduled to come into force in April 2026. Campaigners are calling for the changes to be paused or reviewed, while urging ministers to consider the specific circumstances of tourism and outdoor leisure businesses.

For campsite owners, the debate highlights the importance of checking proposed rateable values as early as possible and engaging with consultations or appeals where available. While no changes have yet been confirmed, the issue has now been raised formally in Parliament, placing business rates firmly back on the agenda for Scotland’s tourism sector.