THE problem of being too successful is a phenomenon insufficiently studied. Accordingly, known remedies are few and, where they are sought, the successful are likely to become uncomfortable.

Such is the case with tourism, which has increased exponentially. Scotland is no stranger to tourism, and indeed now runs the risk of familiarity turning to contempt. It would be ridiculous to see the whole country as under siege. But some places are.

Edinburgh put itself on the map long ago but now sometimes feels it’s been circled as a target. The city centre is heaving. While festival-goers feel the buzz, residents – where there are any left – feel the bustle. Commercialism is king. Everyday life is elsewhere. Tourists don’t meet locals, just other tourists. A feeling has grown that every packed plane, bus, train and car blowing in is sucking the life out of the place.

That’s not a view universally shared, and it must be said that, in a city of its size, you don’t have to walk far from the centre to find normality. And, of course, local business have been cashing in, which is fine except where tat shops proliferate, and investors buy up properties to rent out as short-terms lets.

Edinburgh City Council is examining ways to regulate the latter. But, more broadly, it wants to institute a Transient Visitor Levy – a tourist tax – to raise funds that it says it would put back into “managing” the problem of over-tourism.

It seems on the surface a sensible policy, and not one unique to the Scottish capital. But not everyone is happy with it. Somewhat predictably, big international hotel chains aren’t keen and, while worrying about a £1 or £2 per night charge on three-figure sums seems absurd, we all know such taxes subsequently only know one way to go: up.

Yesterday, Edinburgh Council leader Adam McVey acknowledged “we will probably never win over” that sector. However, he seemed more sanguine about small businesses backing the proposal, while admitting they were “split”.

Alas, that split does not seem down the middle, with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) saying most members are distinctly unhappy with the plan. Mr McVey, it seems, has run ahead of himself. He talks about engagement, but the FSB is the type of organisation he needs to take with him.

In addition, if we’re going to look a gift horse in the mouth and tax it, then we need a clearer picture of what the money (at least £11m) will be used for, beyond the fraction needed to clean the city streets. Taxing tourists may be a plan with merit but it needs support from key sectors if it’s to be a policy that succeeds.