Opt-in membership is available to businesses that either exist out-with the catchment area of Nairn BID, or whose property’s rateable value lies below the £1000 threshold, but still wish to support the BID and receive most of the benefits that members do. As Nairn BID exists for the improvement of Nairn as a whole then supporting the BID can be a valuable way of saying to your customers that you as a business are contributing to making Nairn a better place.
Opt-in members receive the same benefits as other members, they just don’t have the voting rights that levy area businesses do when it comes to the renewal ballot for the BID. For the five year business plan which outlines the main areas of spending and objectives of Nairn BID, please click here.
They can apply for free stalls at our events and markets, benefit from free marketing and promotion (website listing, social media sharing and member of the month), and attend our meetings, business workshops and networking events.
Nairn BID organises street markets along the High Street several times a year. The BID also runs Taste of Nairn, Wheels of Nairn and the Countdown to Christmas events.
If you think your business would benefit by being part of the BID and you would like to join, please fill in our application form. You can also send us a photograph and listing wording for the VisitNairn website.
Opt-in membership starts from £125 a year. Membership runs for our financial year from 1st October to 30th September. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch – office@nairnconnects.com
Self catering property update after regional gathering
Lucy Harding, the Nairn BID manager recently attended the ASSC Regional Gathering in Inverness last week.
Here’s her write up about the event:
Nairn BID has 68 self catering properties, six guesthouses and nine hotels, making up approximately 27 percent of our membership. Our accommodation sector is enormously important to us, with visitors who stay in the town spending much more than day trippers.
Right now, businesses in this sector are facing extreme challenges.
Under the theme “Adapting and Thriving Amidst Regulation, Tourism Trends and Economic Pressures,” the event brought Scotland’s self-catering community together to network, share insights, and explore the future of tourism in the Highlands and beyond.
Fiona Campbell, the CEO of the ASSC, kicked off the afternoon with a rallying address outlining the significant policy issues currently impacting the sector, from the Visitor Levy, and Non-Domestic Rates reformation and Short Term Let licensing to Furnished Holiday Let tax abolition. She shared the ASSC’s proposal for a fairer, flat-fee QR code visitor levy model, and stressed the need for smarter, proportionate regulation that truly supports communities and tourism businesses alike.
Fiona reinforced ASSC’s leadership in lobbying efforts, declaring: “We’ve written the reform plans, we’ve built the coalitions, and we’ve mapped the legal routes. We will continue to be the most persistent and effective voice for Scottish tourism.”
There was than a Panel Discussion: Tourism Tax & Red Tape – Is Scotland Losing Its Competitive Edge? A lively discussion chaired by Fiona Campbell tackled the core question: Is over-regulation putting Scotland at a disadvantage? Panellists brought diverse perspectives from policy, politics, and regional enterprise:
Frazer Coupland – CEO, West Highland Chamber of Commerce
Angus MacDonald OBE – MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire
Carl Thomson – Public Policy Manager, UK, Airbnb
Key takeaways included:
Concerns over the cumulative impact of STL licensing, the Visitor Levy, FHL tax changes, and rising operational costs.
Calls for smarter, decentralised decision-making, particularly to reflect the realities of rural tourism.
Warnings from Carl Thomson that Scotland’s STL policies are becoming an international example of poor regulatory practice.
Suggestions for sustainable solutions like flat-fee visitor levies, clearer planning frameworks, and more targeted tourism support.
Despite the concerns, panellists expressed hope, drawing strength from the passion and creativity within the self-catering sector.
It was then the turn of Chris Taylor of Visit Scotland who have a Regional Update focussing on tourism trends across the Highlands and Islands. He noted:
Shifting consumer behaviours, with more travellers booking via social platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
A growing preference for experiential, sustainable, and wellness-focused travel.
Positive international booking trends, particularly from North America.
A renewed focus on “Spend, Spread, Sustainability, and Satisfaction” as part of Scotland’s national tourism strategy.
Chris applauded operators for delivering exceptional guest experiences and emphasised the importance of infrastructure investment to meet modern visitor expectations.
Another Panel Discussion: Beyond the Stay – The Role of Experiential Tourism was inspiring. This was chaired by Willie Cameron (Director of Business Development, Cobbs Group) and explored how operators can enhance their offering through partnerships, storytelling, and personalised experiences. Panellists included:
Jane Slaughter – Owner, Pinewood Steading / ASSC Director
Russell Fraser – Chair, SCOTO / MD of Loch Ness Hub & Travel
Andrew Bateman – Scot Mountain Holidays / Wild Scotland Director
From local food tours to wildlife diaries and QR-coded guides, the message was clear: It’s not just about where guests stay—it’s about how they feel while they’re there.
Delegates were encouraged to think like tourists, package experiences, and connect visitors with their communities in meaningful ways. One of the key things Lucy took away was the usefulness of the VisitNairn website in packaging experiences for guests. If owners/managers use the free map of Nairn which is available to all members of the BID, guests can follow the QR code and be taken straight to the VisitNairn website, which is kept up to date by the BID team.
With major tourism opportunities on the horizon, Scotland’s self-catering sector has a vital role to play in shaping a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable visitor economy. Nairn BID intends to do what it can to help the members of the accommodation sector in our small town do everything they can to thrive.
