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Parking income in Highland

Last updated . Figures refresh every night. How each figure is worked out.

In 2024–25 Highland took £5.1m in parking income and spent £3.1m, a surplus of £2.0m against £2.0m in 2023–24 (+1%), the 5th largest of 32 councils in Scotland. Figures are from the council's own return to the Scottish Government.

Figures for the 2024–25 financial year. Source: Scottish Government.

Key figures

  • £1.98mParking surplus up on a year earlier: +£0.02m (+0.9%) vs 2023–24 2024–25
  • £5.08mParking income up on a year earlier: +£0.55m (+12.2%) vs 2023–24 2024–25
  • £3.10mSpending on parking up on a year earlier: +£0.54m (+20.8%) vs 2023–24 2024–25
  • 5 of 32Rank in Scotland, largest surplus first 2024–25

Source: Scottish Government.

How much has Highland made from parking each year?

Highland: parking income, spending and surplus, £ million
The numbers behind this chart
Highland: parking income, spending and surplus, £ million
YearIncomeSpendingSurplus
2023–24
Details for 2023–24
£4.53m£2.57m£1.96m
Spending
£2.57m
Surplus
£1.96m
2024–25
Details for 2024–25
£5.08m£3.1m£1.98m
Spending
£3.1m
Surplus
£1.98m

Figures for the 2024–25 financial year. Source: Scottish Government.

Scotland reports parking as a single line, so there is no on-street and car park split.

Figures for the 2024–25 financial year. Source: Scottish Government.

All figures are cash, in the council's own return. The most recent year is a first release and may be revised. Highland is recorded as: Council.

What can Highland spend a surplus on?

Council parking penalty charges in Scotland

Ring-fenced by law a parking account whose surplus is limited to transport-related purposes, as Transport Scotland describes it. Not verified

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s55, as described by Transport Scotland

Section 55 also requires that any surplus may only be used to make good any amount charged to the general fund over the preceding 4 years or for certain transport-related purposes

Legal position as of 22 September 2026. Source: legislation.gov.uk. Checked by hand 22 September 2026.

How does Highland compare with other councils?

Highland among the Scotland councils nearest it, parking surplus 2024–25

Ranked largest surplus first; a negative figure is a deficit. Every council is in the full tables.

Show as a table
Highland among the Scotland councils nearest it, parking surplus 2024–25
NameSurplus
1. City of Edinburgh£31.62m
2. Glasgow City£23.38m
3. Aberdeen City£7.21m
4. Dundee City£3.14m
5. Highland (Highland)£1.98m
6. East Ayrshire£1.15m
7. Fife£0.67m
8. East Lothian£0.57m
9. Falkirk£0.50m

Figures for the 2024–25 financial year. Source: Scottish Government.

Every council's parking surplus, penalty charge levels and the national trend.

Sources for this page

Each source's figures are used under the licence shown. Our own words, analysis, charts and derived calculations are ours, under CC BY 4.0.

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