THE City of Edinburgh has become the first local authority in Scotland to agree to levy a tourist tax.

At a meeting of the council, held online as Storm Eowyn scythed across Scotland, elected members backed a 5 per cent charge on hotels, bed and breakfasts and holiday let stays in the city.

The tax will apply to bookings made after May 1 this year, for stays from July 24 2026 onwards, and is expected to swell council coffers to the tune of £50 million a year.