Tax tourists

The other day I found myself, for the first time in ages, on Edinburgh’s Castle Hill. I was astounded at the number of tourists and it’s not even the Festival. The English language was barely to be heard unless with an American accent. Now, I’m not against tourists at all. I’m proud to live in a beautiful city that people want to visit. But these numbers must put a considerable strain on the city’s services – rubbish collection being just one area.

The vast majority were well, if casually, dressed and sporting iphones and/or expensive looking cameras.

I cannot imagine that they would even notice an extra £2 or £3 a night tourist tax, the price of a cup of coffee. I suspect the Tories are objecting simply for the sake of objecting and because they didn’t think of it themselves.

MICHAEL GREY St Thomas Road, Edinburgh