The season is about to begin, and with it comes a quieter concern.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has issued a reminder that anyone taking payment for guided tours in the Western Isles must hold the appropriate licence, as visitor numbers begin to rise and demand for informal tours increases.
The guidance applies to drivers using private cars as well as larger vehicles. Those offering paid tours are required to hold either a taxi licence or a private hire car operator’s licence, depending on the service provided. Operators using larger vehicles must also meet the relevant permitting requirements.
The reminder is not a change in policy, but a restatement at a particular moment. As tourism activity increases through spring and summer, so too does the likelihood of unlicensed operators entering the market, often on a temporary basis. The Comhairle’s concern is less about individual cases than about the cumulative effect on both safety and the local economy.
Licensing requirements are designed to provide a basic level of assurance. They include checks on drivers, vehicles and operating standards, aligning local practice with national legislation. For visitors, the system is intended to offer confidence that those providing services have met defined conditions. For established operators, it ensures that standards apply consistently across the sector.
The risk, as identified by the Comhairle, is that unlicensed activity may increase as visitor demand grows, allowing informal operators to compete without meeting those same requirements. That, in turn, can affect both safety oversight and the viability of licensed businesses operating within the rules.
The notice therefore serves two purposes. It reminds prospective operators of the need to obtain the correct licence before offering paid services, and it signals that enforcement remains in place during the busiest period of the year.
Further information on licensing requirements, or to raise concerns, can be obtained through the Comhairle’s licensing team at:
LicensingSupport@cne-siar.gov.uk
The message itself is measured, but the timing is deliberate. As the islands prepare for another influx of visitors, the question is not whether tours will be offered, but under what conditions—and by whom.
