With foreign holidays this year being off the radar for many vacationers, Ardentinny, along with many parts of Scotland, has seen a sizeable increase in the number of holidaymakers visiting the village. Indeed now, almost into November, much of the self-catering accommodation is still fully occupied.
Ardentinny has a total of approximately 112 dwellings. Reviewing the relevant short-term rental websites, the village currently has some 16 holiday lets listed, as well as 8 holiday apartments (at Ardentinny Outdoor Centre). In addition, there are approximately 8 second homes in the village. Therefore, the percentage of Ardentinny short-term lets is just over 14%. If second homes are added, this would bring the total holiday homes in the village to 21%. This is excluding the Ardentinny Centre holiday apartments. If the 8 apartments were added, total percentage of holiday accommodation would rise to just over 28%.
According to one recent report, with a total of 3,131, Argyll and Bute has the second highest number of second homes in Scotland (after Highland region).
With the growth of self-catering, the Scottish Government is now seeking to bring in a licensing system for the sector and is consulting the public. Holiday lets and second homes are of course controversial issues. The contribution the industry makes to local economies can be substantial. However, one also must consider the challenges mass tourism brings to fragile rural infrastructures.
What do you think? The short-term lets consultation ends of Friday 29 October, 2021. You can participate in the survey here.
