SNP MSP asks King if he'll pay 300% council tax rise on Scottish properties

An SNP MSP has written to King Charles "seeking clarity" on whether he will be paying higher council tax rates on royal properties in Scotland.

Aberdeen Central MSP Jack Middleton said he had written to the King "in good faith" with regards to the payment for both Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

The letter comes after Aberdeenshire Council introduced a 200% premium on second homes in the region - meaning property owners pay 300% of the council tax rate.

That was introduced at the start of September, with Mr Middleton noting that the City of Edinburgh Council is to charge a council tax premium of 300% on second homes.

Local authorities were permitted to increase council tax charges for second homes to help with Scotland's "housing emergency" Mr Middleton said, adding the policy was brought in to "increase housing availability and prioritise homes for living in rather than occasional use".

The MSP wrote: "From September 1 2026, Aberdeenshire Council has introduced a 200% council tax premium on second homes.

"This means that Balmoral Castle, one of your multiple homes away from your permanent residence at Clarence House, should be charged three times the standard rate of council tax.

"On top of this, the City of Edinburgh Council will introduce a 300% council tax premium on second homes. Holyroodhouse should therefore soon be charged four times the standard rate."

The MSP said he would be "hugely grateful" if the King could confirm if the higher rate is being paid for the properties.

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He also asked the monarch if he "had the opportunity to contribute" to a Scottish government consultation on plans to introduce a so-called "mansion tax" north of the border.

This will see two new council tax bands created for properties worth over £1m - with Mr Middleton saying that Balmoral is valued at around "£50m" while Holyroodhouse is "valued closer to £60m".

The consultation closed last month.

The monarch and the heir to the throne are not legally obliged by parliament to pay local or income taxes, but they do on a voluntary basis rather than through a strict requirement.

Large royal properties such as Buckingham Palace are treated as offices, paying large business rates instead of standard council tax, while homes on the grounds of estates such as Windsor Castle are usually set at the higher council tax bands.

Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.

(c) Sky News 2026: SNP MSP asks King if he'll pay 300% council tax rise on Scottish properties