Edinburgh
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Gay Travel Edinburgh
The Scots are, in the mind of many people, a dour and serious lot. Pure fiction. The Scots generally are an exceedingly friendly people, quick to party, eager to meet people, and in the right venue, ready to show and tell the answer to the age-old question, “Just what do you wear under those kilts?”
Edinburgh, the second most visited city in the UK, owes its name to the vast Edinburgh Castle that looks over the city as both fortifier and protector. Edinburgh Castle has been a center of Scottish life since the first millennium and today contains the Crown Jewels of Scotland. Other fun local experiences are a sampling at the Scotch Whiskey Heritage Centre, a visit to the Old Town Weaving Company to see “sheep to shop” Tartan weaving, or popping in to the elegant Palace of Holyroodhouse, which was once the home to Mary Queen of Scots and today is the Official Royal Residence.
The city is also well-known for the Edinburgh Festival held over 4 weeks in August, where a collection of unique festivals program a vast array of events that doubles the population of the city. Hotels are more expensive and the city is more clogged, but the creative juices flow vigorously throughout!
Besides August, June and September deliver warm weather, lighter crowds and a tad less rain. Winter is cold and windy, but rarely drops below freezing. Getting around this medieval city on foot is preferred, as the Old Town and New Town are only 15 minutes apart. There are some significant hills, like The Mound towards Edinburgh Castle, so pack a bottle of water, comfy trainers and plenty of determination!
