Christine Gillies

Independent Candidate – Eilean a’ Cheò by-election 19 June 2025

Tag: campaign

  • Tourism, Tax, and Time

    There are two points within the discussions around tourism that I want to look at – the income from tourism, and the impact of tourism. There are areas where those impacted are being compensated, but there are too many areas where the impact brings only negatives.

    We know the proposed Visitor Levy/Tourist Tax is not fit for purpose. Scottish Government legislation does not support the nuance of diversity in local authority areas. It requires too much administration for both sides, did not take into account what the stakeholders said (businesses, communities, or local authorities), and missed out key tourism groups (camper vans and cruise ships) . We do need some sort of taxation but this is not it.

    Lets look at a suggestion for accommodation providers. It is common all over the world to have some sort of fee for staying in holiday accommodation. I would rather a simple flat rate that is linked to three things –

    • the property (or properties),
      • is this a family home that’s being rented out?
      • a purpose bought property to make money?
    • impact on local housing stock
      • is it a purpose-built pod?
      • an ex-council house?
    • the impact on others
      • is it in a quiet location with no impact on others down a private road
      • right beside other properties that will have a significant impact on parking/noise/disturbance?

    The future of tourism in Scotland needs to take more consideration on the impact, quantity, and quality. It needs to take everyone into consideration. Those with only a few days to see something they’ve always wanted to, travel for work or a medical appointment, those on a budget, those wanting a month in a hut to write a novel, and especially those that live and work here.

    There’s an old joke about Gaelic not having a word for the urgency of mañana. It is that attitude of going slowly to appreciating what is here that I would like to see as the focus for tourism. Come over, enjoy the hospitality, take your time, tour about, talk to people, see the sights. It takes the pressure off everyone.

    When I started working for the North Harris Trust in 2012, developing the shoulder season was our priority for tourism. How could we get people to come and stay around Easter and towards the autumn? Was there a way to get away from just the summer rush? I think we can all agree that the tourism season is well and truly extended.

    The issue now is the vast number of people coming to visit. Add to that, how few stay for more than a night or two. They’re in a rush to tick the boxes and then head off again. It is intensive for everyone involved and we are all aware of the impact at the various tourist hotspots.

    The impact is not just the impact on housing, roads, and infrastructure. We are seeing it when people avoid going to certain places, do not visit local shops, do not go to the cafes. People cannot get access to fields because the gate is blocked.  And we all must remember where the Highland cows might be – there will be cars stopped in the middle of the road!

    Many livelihoods are linked to tourism. They quite rightly should be – it is not a new phenomenon. What I will work towards is balancing the potential of the tourism industry with the impact on the people, communities, and businesses that are also here.

  • Housing

    There is a housing crisis. There are houses but those needing access to residential properties, to homes, face significant barriers. How are people expected to invest their time and efforts in the community without the security of their own home?

    I was told today that a current project to build a small two bedroom house was costing about £300,000. That is not including the cost of the plot. I heard recently of a local couple that had their bid rejected for a cash buyer at the same price. We all see the constant pleas for rental accommodation online, especially from health professionals that have recently secured a role. What about all of the affordable housing that is being build?

    According to official definitions, there are three types of rental housing – social, affordable, and market. This does not include the hundreds of people living in static caravans and other types of temporary accommodations across Highland. I hate to think what the real number of people is in such accommodation on Skye and Raasay.

    Previous efforts over the decades have come in to assist, and some are still in place. From the creation of council housing, croft house grants, and now affordable housing projects, there are houses in our communities. The current affordable housing projects are alleviating the worst of the crisis in some areas. But what is affordable housing?

    Affordable housing is a specific term. When referred to by the Government, it refers to properties priced at about 20% under the market rent of an area. In research from 2023, the average rent for a 2-bed house in Highland is about £660. So 20% lower than that is £528. Using the Government guidance of 25% of your income being affordable for your rent, then you would need to earn £2,112 to live there. That is over £25,000 a year. But then there is the cost of living crisis, child care, travel, living in a rural area.

    The housing crisis is not new. There was a consultation completed in 1996 where the Highland Council looked into each area and got detailed views from communities. For Raasay, it was stated that 50 houses would be needed in the next 15 years. 4 houses were being built through Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association, they then built 3 more. A partnership project with Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association and Raasay Development Trust (with significant help from the Communities Housing Trust) a 5 house project was completed in 2024. LSHA are about to complete an additional 6 properties in the near future.

    These 11 houses only became possible because the North Raasay Sheep Stock Club offered housing plots on a piece of ground that was of minimal grazing value. The NRSSC knew of the housing issues on the island and that this piece of ground was within the planning area for Raasay. The number of plots required a number of affordable houses to be built and so the project progressed. This project needed the condition in legislation to kick start the housing project.

    The time and effort of the community was a significant part in the building of the 11 houses. These houses that are nowhere near the number needed by the resident population. All across Skye and Raasay, businesses are having to become landlords to house their staff. Tied accommodation is not the answer. Working here should mean you can live in your own home with security of tenure. You should be able to live in accommodation that is not living with parents, living in shared accommodation, living in static caravans, living in unsecured tenancies. A way must be found to ensure this crisis is not left for the next generation to deal with. I will fight to find a way to support those of us that do not have a secure home.

    More housing is needed but how do we get access to the houses that have already been built? It is a question with far-reaching implications, but it needs to be addressed urgently. We all hear the reasons that nothing is being done. There are only so many things a local authority can do. Change takes time. More needs to be done.

    We need to have more councillors in The Highland Council that will fight for those that need a stronger voice. We need changes to planning. We need regulation. We need people fighting for us that are not the ones that benefit from the status quo. We need confidence that something is being done so that the next generation does not have the same problems. We need confidence that change is made for us now.

  • Out and About

    When I started working through everything I needed to do as part of my very first political campaign, I never thought I would enjoy canvasing as much as I do. Getting out and talking to folk I’ve not seen for years, meeting new people, hearing what is going on – I am thoroughly looking forward to getting out next week.

    In the last week I’ve been to Kyleakin, Breakish, and parts of Sleat and Broadford. I’ve been to houses, businesses and even a few sheds! Thankfully, most people have got a copy of my leaflet in the post already, so folk are aware that I’m standing. There have been a few that haven’t got them through yet – I know the posties are extremely busy right now so entirely understandable – and fortunately I have lots of spare leaflets ready to share.

    The support I have received from businesses – putting up posters for me and taking leaflets for customers is amazing. I am so thankful that folk appreciate my effort to stand in this by-election. It has been a leap into the unknown and what I am finding is fantastic.

    People that know me already know my passion for community, for advocating for the quieter voices that are often dismissed or ignored. In my years of working to ensure genuine engagement is developed, I have seen what is achievable once common ground is established. Often, that common ground is as simple as wanting the best for our communities. There is always a way to bring everyone to the table – my preferred method is sitting down and having a blether over cake and a cuppa!

    I am down at the Community Land Scotland conference at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig today, I’ll be at the shinty in Portree tomorrow afternoon, and I will continue my canvasing journey north on Monday. I am slowly but surely getting round Skye. However, I am on my own and Skye is much bigger than I can manage by myself. If I don’t come round to your house, I can only apologise – please get in touch if you have questions. I am prioritising getting to as many places as I can. If you want to help me by canvasing in your area, get in touch and I’ll get you some leaflets. Even talking to people makes a massive difference. Thank you for your continued support!