Tourism chief attacks plan to charge holiday homes full tax.

(From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK))

Highland Council tourism spokesman Duncan Allan has hit back at suggestions that second homes are making it impossible for local people to afford property.

On Monday, a report for the Scottish Executive housing agency, Communities Scotland, revealed that nearly half of all second or holiday homes are in the most remote parts, with Highland bearing the greatest load.

The report also found that there was less social rented accommodation in those areas, with a lot of second homes causing difficulties for local people. It stressed that other factors were behind high prices and the shortage of affordable housing. …