No change in approach towards people visiting second homes

The Scottish Government has “at this point” ruled out handing powers to local authorities to seek additional action against those visiting second homes in rural and remote locations.

The confirmation follows a question by Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Gail Ross, who said there has been “a lot of worry and indeed anger” in her constituency since the beginning of lockdown, and in other remote and rural areas, about people visiting second and holiday homes to selfisolate.

Speaking during a virtual questions session online, Ms Ross asked Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell whether consideration has been given to “empower local authorities to seek any additional action”, over and above the new powers given to the police in this area.

Ms Campbell said it is the “right approach” for Police Scotland to

“People who are travelling to second homes, they must not do that.

AILEEN CAMPBELL

enforce the regulations around individual movements and gatherings, adding that they were not “at this point” considering additional powers for local authorities.

But she added the Scottish Government was “always willing” to engage on new ideas to reiterate those public health messages.

She said: “I understand exactly why there will be anxiety in areas which have seen people visit when the advice is to the contrary and that’s very clear advice that people should avoid travelling unless it is essential.

“Again the first minister, in her update today, reiterated that very important message where we’re starting to see people feeling possibly a bit frustrated around the restrictions on their lives.

“But it is really critical that we continue to abide by those messages of avoiding unnecessary travel so that means people who are travelling to second homes, they must not do that.”