Gay Urban Scotland – Towleroad.com

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When you think of Scotland, you may think of a rustic, romantic countryside with rolling hills and majestic Lochs. But in addition to the country’s picturesque pastoral views, there’s tons to discover in Scotland’s urban centers.

LGBTQ travelers in particular should put gay urban Scotland at the top of their travel to-dos. Scotland has been considered one of the best countries in all of Europe for LGBTQ equality, legalizing same-sex marriage in 2014 and banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity since 2010.

Scotland’s urban centers boast outstanding culinary options, vibrant nightlife, world-class arts and thriving LGBTQ communities.

Check out some highlights of Scotland’s urban metropolises below, and visit VisitScotland to plan your trip today.

Home to the world’s largest arts festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Scotland’s capital is the perfect place to see the most exciting artists of today and tomorrow alongside a city so rich with history its Old Town and New Town have been designated World Heritage sites by UNESCO.

By Andy – Full Story at Towleroad.com

Southern Scotland Gay Travel Resources

 

Lesbian Edinburgh in 3 Days – Go Girlfriend

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Edinburgh (pronounced Edin-borough, not Edin-burrr), Scotland – the name for me conjures a mental image of a turbulent medieval history with stone fortresses, ancient battles and has it’s roots easily dating back to pre-Norse and Roman expansion. Kings, Queens and historic nobility have crowned Edinburgh as Scotland’s capital on the notable bay of the Firth of Forth and shops on the Royal Mile have made their mark evolving Edinburgh into a modern city rich in it’s arts, sciences, and cultural offerings.

The Royal Mile is Edinburgh’s tourist gem – the mile-long stretch of markets, shops and restaurants that tempt tourists as they explore grand Edinburgh Castle atop Castle Rock at one end and the Palace of Holyroodhouse aside majestic Arthurs Seat and the Salisbury Crags at the other end. To catch the flavor of what Scotland has to offer, Edinburgh is where you begin.

Since Scotland is such a wonderous country offering spectacular scenic vistas, vibrant castle-icious lochs and Scottish clans and their kilts, Edinburgh wraps all of these up to give you just a taste of what’s in store across it’s moory lands. Here’s Edinburgh in a 3-day weekend …

How to Explore Edinburgh’s Royal Mile in 3 days
Book your accommodations (or an Airbnb on the Royal Mile) and get set to see the highlights in 3 days.

Day 1 – Get acquainted with the Royal Mile

Hop On, Hop Off Bus (Edinburgh Tours) – you’ve arrived in Edinburgh, stepped on to the cobble-stoned Royal Mile (almost being hit by a passing bus if you’re touring on the Royal Mile from North America as you look the wrong way stepping off the curb!) and are overwhelmed with the options both right and left. Our recommendation is to head down to the Waverley Station bridge and get a ticket for one of Edinburgh’s Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours. For £15 (British Pounds) per adult you get a 24-hour pass and guided CitySightSeeing Tour of the Royal Mile’s highlights to get your bearings and determine what you want to include in your explorations. See something right away you want to explore, hop off at the next stop, explore and resume your CitySightSeeing Tour. If you’d like a broader view of greater Edinburgh, consider the Edinburgh Tour, the Majestic Tour or the 3 Bridges Tour.

By Stacy Rosien at Go Girlfriend – Day One

By Stacy Rosien at Go Girlfriend – Day Two

By Stacy Rosien at Go Girlfriend – Day Three

Edinburgh Gay Travel Resources

 

48 Hours in Gay Edinburgh – Gay Star News

Dan Beeson

Struggling through changeable weather year-round, Edinburgh, the UK’s most northerly capital city, has better things to offer than endless days of unbroken sunshine – it has class, heritage and candlelit folklore to keep you warm.
We should mention, It was unusually sunny and hot during our visit in late May – but we promise everything in this guide is, pretty much, weatherproof and true to ‘usual’ climates.

Now that’s been cleared up, let’s take a five-pillar approach to what makes a good trip; relaxation, culture, LGBTI spaces, food and drink and the outdoors.
We had exactly 48 hours from the time the plane touched down to when we departed from the tarmac once again – so it was on to cram in as much as possible but still feel chilled.

Here’s a quick round-up of guide of where we found ourselves in those 48 hours:
Wake up with the dawn chorus and head to a spa for relaxation.

Have you ever had an hour-long exfoliating facial massage? It’s a definition of living.
One Spa at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa offers a huge range of treatments designed individually to suit men and women, as well as an outdoor hydropool and signature spa experience, ‘Escape at One’, that leads relaxation-seekers around various treatment rooms.

Diving in bright and early, around 9am, starting our adventures in Edinburgh with a vigorous workout followed by intensive therapy sessions was just what we needed to unwind from a busy week we’d just left behind – and truly left behind.

By Dan Beeson – Full Story at Gay Star News

Edinburgh Gay Travel Resources

Win Two Nights at a Luxury Edinburgh Hotel

Nira Caledonia contest OutOfOffice.com is giving you the chance to win a two-night stay at the beautiful five-star Edinburgh hotel Nira Caledonia. Located on the cobbled streets of New Town, this romantic boutique property combines the luxury of a top five-star with the intimacy and peace of a cosy townhouse. The 28-bedroom hotel features stunning original cornicing and plasterwork. An intimate restaurant is lit by the soft glow of a chandelier, while the striking architecture on the street opposite is visible through original sash windows. A successful blend of Georgian period features and contemporary furnishings characterises the decor throughout the property. This, together with a home-from-home ambience, defines the very essence of Nira Caledonia. The prize includes: Two-night stay in a Petite Double room, complimentary upgrade, early check-in and late check out, welcome drink upon arrival, full Scottish Breakfast each morning, a three-course dinner for two people including a bottle of house wine at Blackwood’s Bar & Grill and a Silver Whisky Barrel ride at The Scotch Whisky Experience.

Enter at Gay Star News

Edinburgh Gay Travel Resources

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Gayfield Square Apartment – Gay B&B in Edinburgh, Scotland

Gayfield Square Apartment Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: The beautiful old Merchant’s House apartment is situated in a wonderful Georgian building overlooking Edinburgh’s historic Gayfield Square. The apartment is in fact the whole ground floor of an original house dating back to around 1800, with private front and back garden. It feels like being in a country house as the square is so quiet yet you’re right in the middle of the city- only a 7 minute walk to Princes Street and the main train station (from there an easy walk to the castle and old town). It comprises 2 double bedrooms/2 bathrooms to sleep up to 4 people very comfortably. It’s also a stone’s throw from the fashionable Broughton Street with its great cafe culture and bistros, as well as being close to the Playhouse Theatre and the main downtown shopping area. The apartment benefits from free wifi internet access and is non- smoking throughout, although there’s ample outdoor space for those in need! The Drawingroom is a spacious and grand room with double Georgian windows overlooking the private landscaped front garden out to the leafy square beyond. There’s a living flame gas fire and flatscreen TV with digital channels and DVD player. There are two cosy bedrooms both with Eurpoean king sized bed, firm but soft mattresses and fresh white linen supplied. We also supply towels and welcome toiletries. The main hall leads to a large bathroom with corner bath and shower and the rear bedroom has its own en suite shower room also. We supply radio alarm clocks and hairdryer. The kitchen is a dream for any budding chef with large central granite island and dining table making it a very sociable place to relax and chat whilst cooking and eating. It’s fully equipped with a five burner range cooker/oven, microwave oven, fridge/freezer, coffee maker, washing machine and tumble dryer. French windows from the kitchen lead to back a private garden/patio area with al fresco dining area and seating. We can also organise a welcome food hamper on request – no need to run to the corner shop for a pint of milk when you arrive! (Please just ask for a quote depending on size and your preferences) There’s on street parking just outside the apartment (max 4 hours parking with ticket: Monday- Friday, weekends free) or a short walk from the edge of the parking zone (24 hours free parking- about a 10 minute walk or less), but our best advice is that unless you are doing out of town day trips, DON’T rent a car whilst here- you won’t need it since everything is easily walkable (there are also good car rental options close by for when you are departing the city- just ask!).

See the Blue Oaks Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Rhode Island

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