PITLOCHRY — Perth and Kinross Council's consultation on a Draft Visitor Levy Scheme took a dramatic turn this week after officials realised the region's most numerous overnight visitors were not people at all.

"We ran the numbers, and humans are frankly a rounding error," said Levy Implementation Officer Moira Strachan, wearing a full beekeeping suit indoors. "Between May and September, the average Highland Perthshire guest house hosts four Americans, a cyclist from Leeds, and approximately 2.6 million Culicoides impunctatus. Only one of those groups has been paying."

The new proposal would see each midge charged a fixed rate of 0.0001p per night, a figure the council insists is "simple and clear for visitors and businesses". Officials concede collection has so far been challenging. "We tried leaving the payment terminal out by Loch Rannoch at dusk," said Strachan. "It was gone in eleven seconds. We found it the next morning, drained."

Accommodation providers broadly welcomed the move. "Finally, someone's doing something about the freeloaders," said Aberfeldy B&B owner Kenny Duff, 63. "They come in through the window, they eat the guests, they never leave a review. At least the Germans leave a review."

Under the scheme's draft exemptions, children under 16, carers, and midges "that are just passing through on their way to Glencoe" would not be charged.

Revenue from the levy would be reinvested in tourism infrastructure, including new public toilets, improved signage, and a £3 million Smidge dispenser at the Pitlochry Dam visitor centre.

The consultation runs until 11 November. Midges wishing to respond are asked to do so in writing, as officials have stopped answering the buzzing.