The ASSC is heading to Fort William for our final Regional Gathering of the year...

Join Us for the final Regional Gathering of 2026, "Meeting the Challenges, Seizing the Opportunities"

📅 Date: Wednesday 4th November 2026

⏰ Time: 10.00 am - 3.00 pm

📍 Location: Highland Cinema, Fort William

🔗 View the full programme

Tickets:

ASSC Members – Two free tickets per membership (use your exclusive member promo code)

Non-Members & Additional Tickets – £25 + booking fee

Join us in Fort William for our final Regional Gathering of 2026

The Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers (ASSC) is heading to Fort William for our final Regional Gathering of the year, bringing together self-catering operators, tourism businesses, industry partners and stakeholders from across the Highlands and beyond for a day of insight, discussion, connection and practical takeaways.

"Meeting the Challenges, Seizing the Opportunities" will look at both sides of the picture for Scotland's self-catering sector: navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape while also looking ahead with confidence at the opportunities for our businesses, communities and Scotland's wider visitor economy.

From licensing, planning control areas, the visitor levy and non-domestic rates to market data, collaboration and the wider value tourism brings to Scotland's communities, we'll bring together expert voices and different perspectives to explore what matters now – and what comes next.

Why this matters now

There is no shortage of change for Scotland's self-catering sector. Regulation continues to evolve, costs remain challenging, and operators are having to adapt to an increasingly complex business environment.

But there is also much to be optimistic about.

Tourism makes an important contribution to communities and local economies across Scotland, supporting businesses, jobs and services while connecting visitors with the people, places and experiences that make Scotland distinctive. Self-catering has an important part to play in that story.

Our Fort William Gathering is an opportunity to come together, get up to speed on the issues that matter, share ideas and experience, and look ahead at how we can collectively meet the challenges, seize the opportunities and tell a more positive story about the value of tourism.

What to expect

✔️State of the Nation – The latest from ASSC Chief Executive Fiona Campbell MBE on the issues shaping our sector

✔️ Regulation unpacked – Expert discussion on licensing, planning control areas, the visitor levy, non-domestic rates and what they mean for operators

✔️ ASSC membership update – What's new, the benefits available to you and what we're developing next

✔️ Data, trends and insights – Understand what the latest data is telling us about demand, performance and the market

✔️ Changing the narrative – Explore how we collectively tell a more positive story about tourism, demonstrate its contribution to thriving communities and local economies, and showcase what makes Scotland distinctive

✔️ Your questions answered – Opportunities to put your questions directly to our speakers and panellists

✔️ Networking and exhibitors – Meet fellow operators, make new connections and spend time with our industry partners and exhibitors

Featured sessions

State of the Nation: Navigating the Regulatory Landscape: Fiona Campbell MBE and guests

A Highland Perspective: Angus MacDonald MP

From Data to Decisions: Understanding Today's Market: Key Data

Changing the Narrative: Scotland's Story, Our Shared Opportunity: Panel Discussion

Why attend

Stay informed on the regulatory and policy changes affecting your business

Hear directly from experts and put your questions to our panels

Understand the latest market data and what it means for your business

Explore the opportunities for Scotland, its communities and self-catering

Make connections with operators, partners and tourism colleagues from across the Highlands and beyond

Help change the narrative by being part of a positive conversation about the value tourism brings to Scotland

Be part of the conversation about what comes next for our sector

Event Pricing

ASSC Members: Two FREE tickets as part of your member benefits. Please log in to find the member promo code here

Valued Partners: Enjoy complimentary access as part of your partnership benefits. Please log in to find the member promo code here.

Join the ASSC Offer: Become an ASSC member after attending this event, and get £25 off your first year's membership fee (valid for up to 10 days after the event). You can explore membership categories and join here.

Additional Information

Refunds available up to 7 days before the event (Eventbrite’s fee is non-refundable).

Two tickets free per membership

If booking more than one ticket, please add each ticket holder’s name as name badges will be printed.

Your name and company name may be shared with our event partners, where relevant to the event.

Photos will be taken at this event for marketing purp

Description supplied by the event organiser.