Invergordon, Scotland — The Scottish Government’s proposal to introduce a cruise ship levy has sparked a heated debate in Invergordon, one of Scotland’s busiest cruise ports, as locals, visitors, and industry representatives weigh the potential economic impact.
Last year, an estimated 1.2 million cruise passengers arrived in Scotland, with Invergordon standing out as a major gateway for the 2024 cruise season. The government has proposed giving local authorities powers to introduce a levy on cruise visits to raise funds for overstretched local services. However, details such as the fee amount and who would pay — cruise lines or passengers — remain undecided.
Small Businesses Fear the Impact
Inside her gift shop on Invergordon’s High Street, Sandra Munro worries the levy could hit small businesses hard.
“Everyone is struggling just now,” she said. “People are still going on holiday, but maybe don’t have as much to spend. If more charges are added, it might stop them coming altogether or reduce what they spend here.”
Sandra’s concerns reflect the fragile economic balance many retailers in the town depend on, especially the seasonal surge from cruise passengers.
Calls for Investment from Local Residents
Other locals like Donald Macdonald take a different view. They say cruise visitors mostly pass through the town en route to other Highland attractions and that Invergordon currently sees little direct benefit.
“We’re not seeing any benefit at the moment,” Donald said. “There’s a lot of struggle and no work. Passengers are on tours away from town, maybe only spending a couple of hours here.”
Donald argues that a levy could be positive, if revenue is reinvested into the town’s infrastructure.
“Where’s the money to repair the roads?” he asked.
Visitors Support a Small Levy
Many cruise passengers seem open to a modest fee if it supports the communities they visit.
Jorge Marin, from Mexico, visiting aboard the Preziosa, said, “It is a very touristic place, and to keep ensuring quality we need investment. I find a levy correct. It’s not a big amount and seems fair.”
Maria Snijders, from the Netherlands, agreed: “When you go to Spain, you pay taxes in hotels, so why not on a cruise ship? It’s not much, so why not a little tax?”
Port Operators Warn of Economic Risk
But the Port of Cromarty Firth, which manages Invergordon’s cruise operations, strongly opposes the levy.
The port expects around 100 liners and 150,000 passengers this year. While cruise ships already pay charges for docking, port officials say an additional levy could increase costs by 23%, for example, a £5 fee per passenger.
Their research predicts this could deter 1 in 10 cruise businesses from calling at Invergordon, potentially losing millions for the local economy. They estimate cruise visitors spend at least £100 each during visits, benefiting shops, taxis, and tour guides.
Joanne Allday, head of strategy and business at the port, voiced concern for the wider economy: “A lot of work around the cruise industry is seasonal — shop workers, taxi drivers, tour guides. They’re the ones who might suffer.”
Highland Council’s View: Investment Needed
Meanwhile, Ken Gowans, vice convener of Highland Council, urged calm and emphasized the need for funding infrastructure to support the surge of cruise visitors.
The council is also consulting on a separate tourist tax, but on the cruise levy, Gowans said, “There’s often a knee-jerk reaction to the word levy. The Port of Cromarty Firth need to consider whether they are crying wolf.”
He added: “The large number of cruise passengers puts additional pressure on our infrastructure. Anything that helps mitigate this, such as a cruise ship levy, would be very welcome and save Highland taxpayers considerable sums.”
What Happens Next?
The Scottish Government’s consultation on the cruise ship levy closes at the end of May. Local authorities will decide how much to charge and who will pay if the proposal moves forward.
Scotland’s councils are under significant financial pressure, facing a £647 million budget shortfall this year despite increased funding, driving the search for new revenue streams.
For Invergordon and other ports, the challenge will be balancing economic benefits from cruise tourism against the costs of managing the increased visitor flow — and deciding who should foot the bill
