Gay Travel Guide to Scotland

Walk, run, crawl, sashay, or prance – whatever your preferred mode of movement may be, get yourself down the Royal Mile! The Royal Mile is cobbled path that dissects the city of Edinburgh, linking two royal landmarks, Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood House. Full of shops, cafés, restaurants, museums, and the majestically medieval St. Giles Cathedral, every step you take is worthy of a photograph. And yet, despite the Mile’s quaint beauty, it has quite a muddled history. 

Located right outside the cathedral, visitors will find a mosaic formed in the shape of a heart. This once marked the entrance of The Old Tolbooth, a jail-house where the city criminals received extremely harsh punishments – anything from having your ears, tongue, or hand nailed to a plank of wood to a vicious hanging. Today, locals and tourists spit on the mosaic to show contempt for the gruesome history that occurred there (not that we would, spitting is gross). Other notable spots to hit up along the Mile include the Mary King’s Close Museum, Gladstone’s Land, and the Scottish Parliament building. Make sure you check out our full Edinburgh gay guide for more!

When we heard there was something long, thick, and wet hiding beneath the dark surface of Loch Ness, we couldn’t resist heading there for a day trip. Turns out they were talking about Nessie the Monster and not…*cough* something else… Before heading up to the loch, we scoffed at the fantastical tales of a monster swimming around in the middle of the Scottish Highlands. But we were to be proven wrong. There truly is an undiscovered creature who lives within the loch’s 800 feet of water.

Scientists just haven’t figured out exactly what it is… meaning Nessie could very well be real! Regardless of whether you catch a glimpse of her, a trip up to Loch Ness is well worth it. The dark waters of the loch, the surrounding glens, and the crumbling Urquhart Castle will give you the ultimate Gothic fantasy. If you are extra determined to find Nessie, why not hire a canoe or kayak and head out onto the loch yourself? Best base for Loch Ness? Inverness! It's the nearby city – you'll want to check out our gay guide to Inverness for more.

Even the most outdoor-phobic person will find it hard to resist the magic of Glen Affric. Over 30 miles of flourishing woodlands, blossoming flora and fauna, sparkling rivers, and an intoxicating aroma of pine, make this an unforgettable experience to behold. Fall is easily the best season to go and explore, with the area bursting in rustic autumnal colors. Found in the southwest of the Highlands, Glen Affric is a nature enthusiasts dream come true.

The woodlands have been deemed as a nature reserve, with ongoing projects to ensure the conservation of the natural beauty and its wildlife. The largest national park in the UK, Cairngorms, can be found close by. Full of hiking and cycling trails, picturesque castles, and a sled dog center (that one caught us by surprise too!), you could easily fill a day’s worth of activity hanging around there. 

Looking for a romantic way to Bond with your partner during your trip? How about a 007-type of Bond? Much of the GlenCoe landscape’s irrefutable beauty was used as the backdrop of 2012’s James Bond blockbuster, Skyfall. And despite us cruising around the area in a rental car, dressed in pink and purple tank tops, we managed to feel like total gangsters! We traveled down Skyfall Road, where the irritably handsome Daniel Craig sped down in a high-speed chase, and we couldn’t help but feel totally bada$$. 

But if the sexy, crime-fighting, whiskey drinking agent isn’t your nerdy obsession, then maybe a certain boy wizard is? Glencoe is also home to the iconic viaduct that appears in every Harry Potter movie. Even if you aren’t into the Bond or Potter franchises, the scenery alone will blow you away. One of our favorite parts of the trip was spotting all of the Highland wildlife – red deer, squirrels, and golden eagles, just to name a few. 

It’s 25 miles long, 15 miles wide, home to only 3,000 people, and yet the Isle of Islay manages to pack in a whopping 9 whiskey distilleries! It goes without saying that a visit here is a must for whiskey lovers. The island is home to the iconic brands Bowmore (which has been around since 1779), Laphroaig, and Ardbeg, which are enjoyed all around the world. A whiskey tour of the island’s distilleries was at the top of our list.

We learned all about how Islay’s exposure to rain and sea spray allows for the production of the whiskey’s signature pungent peaty and smoky flavor. Leaving our obsession with the peat-infused malt aside, the Isle of Islay is also a place of extreme beauty. So visually striking, so rich in nature, so grand in culture, that Islay is referred to as the Queen of the Hebrides. Found among a group of islands (known as the Hebrides), Islay is easily one of the most magnificent spots in all of Scotland.

A highlight of our trip around Scotland was our experience moving through the historic county of Caithness. A place so full of dramatic scenery, we thought we’d crossed over into a fantastical land full of magic and mythical creatures. One of our favorite spots was the Duncansby Stacks – two rugged stones jutting out from the sea’s surface, with a twinkling lighthouse in the background. We also stopped by the charming village of John O’Groats, beloved for its stunning coastline, thriving wildlife, and successful Book Festival that takes place every April. 

Roughly 7 miles west of John O’Groats is the Castle of Mey, which once belonged to the Queen Mother (no, not my mum, but the actual Queen Elizabeth II). Strolling through the grounds we came across a fabulous farm zoo, a walled garden, and unbeatable views of Pentland Firth – a strait that divides Caithness and the Orkney Islands. Also worth visiting is Dunnet Head, the most northern point of Britain, where we could see adorable seals basking in the water.

No, it’s not a palace made of the delicious baked good (but wouldn’t that be fabulous?) Scone Palace is a historic building, located near the wonderful Scone village. Instantly recognizable due to its Gothic-style red sandstone façade, a wander around the palace grounds is a fabulous way to spend an afternoon. There are over 100 acres of grounds to explore, including the Moot Hill where the crowning of the ancient King of Scots would have taken place. The Head Gardener offers private walking tours through the grounds, where visitors can learn all about the techniques and skills needed to preserve such a stunning garden.

A tour through the Palace itself is also a must, where you’ll be brought through Palace State Rooms where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert would have dined during their visit in 1842. For some extra Scottish magic, take an hour's drive out from Scone to the Kelpies. These are two striking horse head sculptures that stand 30-meters tall and represent the mythical kelpie creature, a shape-shifting water spirit that can transform into a handsome man – tell us where we can find a real one!

When people think of Scottish lakes, Nessie steals away all of the excitement for Loch Ness. What an attention-seeker! When it comes down to it, many lakes are far prettier. One of those is Loch Lomond! Popular for hiking, water sports, horseback riding, and snapping pictures for Instagram (has to be done), nature lovers must make time for a visit. It’s the largest body of water on the island of Great Britain, standing at over 22 miles long and, at points, almost 5 miles wide.

Visitors can take a boat trip over the water, a great way to explore the surrounding islands and learn about the loch’s history and geography. A walk-up Conic Hill is truly i-Conic (we know, cringey pun), allowing for stunning views over the Loch and its many islands. There is also a Bird of Prey Centre where you can see amazing birds up close, from those native to Britain to the rarest species worldwide, including owls and golden eagles.

From exploring ancient castles in the Scottish wilderness to a prowl around Loch Ness in search of the legendary monster, Brand g’s Scotland gay cruise is packed full of adventure. Ahead of the 7-day cruise, you’ll spend two nights in Inverness, where you’ll enjoy a tour of Balmoral and a scenic drive through the countryside, whilst enjoying a stay at the Culloden House. Guests then embark on the MV Lord of the Glens, a 150ft cruise liner that’s small enough to squeeze through the Caledonian Canal, yet big enough to feel comfortable and luxurious. 

Rooms are decorated with polished woods, exquisite fabrics, and plush furniture, to ensure you have a lavish place to sleep at night. Highlights include a tour of Iona, the birthplace of Christianity in Britain, a chance to see the iconic viaduct that featured in all 8 Harry Potter films, and a cryptic trip to Macbeth’s Cawdor castle. The experience closes with a visit to Edinburgh, where you’ll enjoy a trip to Edinburgh Castle, the chance to shop around the Old Town, and discover the Royal Mile. 

After spending 2 days in Edinburgh’s Old Town, where you’ll enjoy a welcome tour and a historical walking tour, you’ll wave goodbye to city life and head off to the rural Scottish countryside on this exciting tour with He Travel. Over the following 6 days, you’ll canoe across Loch Tay taking in the impressive mountain scenery, hike through the wondrous Caledonian pine forests, and zoom through the woodland trails of the Cairngorms on a mountain bike.

Sound intensive? Well, honey, we’re just getting started. Our highlight included a private tour around a closed whiskey distillery. Take the chance to learn all about the production of Scotland’s most popular export, including a cheeky taste of the delicious malt. Plus, a visit to the osprey reserve center, where guests have the chance to spot the nests of the beautiful birds. This tour is very much directed towards the single gay traveler, meaning it serves as the perfect opportunity for guys to make new friends or maybe even meet the one.

Across the UK, cities throw cabaret nights, film screenings, and theater performances as part of LGBT History Month. The organization does run events all year long, but it is in February where they truly amp things up. Their aim is to increase the visibility of the queer community, encourage schools and organizations to create safe spaces for their queer members, and raise awareness on the issues that still plague the LGBTQ community. In Scotland, they host support groups, tea and coffee chats, LGBTQ-themed film nights, and so much more!

With drag shows in the city’s Pink Triangle, queer-themed movie screenings with a follow-up panel discussion, support group meet-ups, and a massive Pride march, who wouldn’t want to be in Edinburgh for June? Pride’s existence in Edinburgh goes back to the 1990s, where the city’s gay residents decided to host a protest against the injustices they faced living in Scotland. And thank golly they did, as now Scotland is considered one of the world’s most gay-friendly countries. 

When we took part in the Pride Edinburgh march, we couldn’t believe that this joyous city once had gay people running for the hills (many queer folk headed off to the bright lights of London). In modern days, it’s a gay person’s dream city. To keep up with all the events planned for the upcoming Edinburgh Pride event, head on over to their Facebook page.

It’s the largest LGBTQ festival in Scotland – and they make sure everyone knows it. It takes place during a week in mid-August and envelopes the entire city. Glasgow Pride takes the phrase “go big or go home” and runs with it. Events are plentiful and are often beautifully random. In the past, they’ve ranged from nature walks to puppy shows, gin tasting sessions to cabaret nights. There is no telling what is on the cards! 

At the end of the week, Glaswegians take to the streets to march in their thousands, brandishing rainbow flags with their faces painted and outfits on fleek. It all comes to a climax in a fabulous block party at Kelvingrove Park, where drag artists perform and pop music gets played into the wee hours.

Oh, us gay people do love a show, don’t we? So, what could be better than a month-long theater festival that takes over an entire city? Hundreds of performances take place across the city of Edinburgh every August. And to put it in perspective how big of a festival this is, previous years have sold up to 3 million tickets across the entire line-up! There are shows to suit the taste of just about anyone. But our focus is on all things LGBTQ. Shows that focus on all the nuances of what it means to be LGBTQ always catch our eye.

And, of course, the cabaret and drag shows are always fun to attend. One of the hottest tickets each year is to The Ladyboys of Bangkok – a fantastical, joyous, over-the-top cabaret that has made its way to the Fringe every festival for years.

Calling all gay movie buffs – the Scottish Queer International Film Festival is what your dreams are made of. It's a week in the vibrant city of Glasgow, with a schedule jampacked with LGBTQ-centric films. Expect a line-up full of incredible films that represent a wide range of people from the LGBTQ community. What we love most about this festival (and queer-themed film festivals in general), is the opportunity for folk to discuss the challenges LGBTQ people face in everyday life and how cinema can be used to combat those issues. 

Filmmakers and actors from the films screened often appear at discussion panels to do just that, and the conversations that stem from them can be absolutely fascinating. It’s also a fabulous way to become exposed to new directors, producers, writers, and actors. As well as make new friends who are as equally passionate about films as we are. Plus, the acronym is SQIFF, which is just awesome.

We’re all aware of how the media likes to represent gay men as just one body type. Skinny, hairless, perfect. And while men who have those bodies are valid it isn’t necessarily the be-all and the end-all. That’s why we LOVE events like BearScotFest because they celebrate what it means to be a bit bigger, or a bit older, or a bit hairier. The BearScots organization run events all year round to bring the bear community and their admirers together, but it’s their main festival in October that celebrates the best of the bears. Club nights encourage people to dress up, party hard, and then vote for who they think deserves the title, Bear of the Year.

Whether you take it on the rocks or straight-up, there is a type of whisky for everyone. Made from fermented grain mash, whiskey is a type of alcoholic beverage that can be enjoyed in a number of ways. Scotland has their own proud way of distilling and producing whiskey to achieve its signature peaty allure. All Scotch whisky is aged within oak barrels for three years before distribution – though, the longer it is left, the better it tastes. You’ll often hear whisky connoisseurs bragging about how old their stored bottles are – one of the few times you’ll ever hear anyone gloat about old something is. Oh, and in case you ever need to write it down, Scottish whisky has no e in it!

We’ll be the first to admit, we were skeptical about trying haggis. After all, who would sign up to eat a plate of sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs, mashed up with onion and spices, and stuffed inside a sheep’s stomach… But when people described it as having a somewhat “nutty” taste, our interest piqued. The consumption of haggis is believed to harken back to the days of cattle drovers, where women packaged up leftover ingredients in animal stomachs for their husbands to eat during their travels to the Edinburgh markets.

It definitely has a love/hate reaction from those who try the dish. But we feel everyone should try it at least once. Plus, nowadays places often offer up a vegetarian version of the dish, meaning no one has an excuse to pass up this staple of Scottish culture. We tried haggis as part of an authentic Scottish breakfast in Edinburgh although it's also often served with ‘neeps (turnips) and ‘tatties (potatoes).

No Scottish Full breakfast would be complete without it. Served up alongside a plate of bacon, sausage, fried eggs, haggis and beans, black pudding is what pulls it all together. What is it you wonder? Well, it’s a type of pork fat ground up with oats and pork or beef blood. Sound intense? It doesn’t actually have that overpowering of a taste. But it does compliment the other flavors in the Scottish breakfast quite well. It can be eaten hot or cold, baked or fried, grilled or battered – so much like the perfect Grindr profile, it’s fairly versatile!

The perfect dinner for a cold, winter night, this Scottish dish is a warm-crusted, meat pie bursting with mince, spices, and (for the bold), haggis. Recipes vary from piemaker to chef, and those who prepare it like to keep their personal formula close to their chest, so replicating the pie that you adored in a restaurant can be tricky. So beloved is the scotch pie in Scotland, that every year The World Championship Scotch Pie Awards are held to determine who makes the best savory delight. Food businesses from across the globe submit their entry for scotch pie (plus other Scottish food items like haggis) and are tasted by a judging panel.

A popular starter that hails from the northeast of Scotland, Cullen skink is a soup made of smoked haddock, potato, and onions. It’s best enjoyed alongside a fresh roll of homemade brown bread. It reminded us of an American chowder, except this dish had a smoky quality and a stronger aftertaste. The perfect recipe for this Scottish delicacy is widely contested, and the dish may taste slightly different depending on where you go in the country. In some areas, it is made with milk, in others, it’s made with water… some places even use cream. The name for the soup comes from its town of origin, Cullen. Whereas the word ‘skink’ is the Scottish term for a shin of beef.

Shortbread is Scottish as a kilt-wearing ginger man rolling around the Highlands playing a song by The Proclaimers on bagpipes. Named after its crumbly texture, shortbread can be traced as far back as the 12^th century. It was first seen as a luxury food item, eaten for Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations by the well-to-do. It was also enjoyed at weddings, where guests would break a piece of shortbread over the head of the bride as a token of good luck.

Now, you can pretty much find shortbread biscuits in any shop in the country. It’s as common a food item as flour, sugar, and butter (coincidently, the ingredients you need to make shortbread!). To properly enjoy the delicious, sugary biscuit, pop the kettle on and whip up a strong cup of tea.

This Scottish fave is exactly what it sounds like – a Mars bar… deep-fried in batter… and then eaten. You can get them in any Scottish fish-n-chip shop for about £2-3 and they’re typically enjoyed alongside a chilled Irn Bru. A weight-watchers nightmare, you better be prepared to ingest a whopping 25% of your recommended daily fat intake with this bad boy! But, if you’re in the “treat yourself” mindset and up for trying the dynamite dessert, prepare for the gooiest, chocolatiest, messiest experience ever. It tastes just like a warm Mars bar, except with an extra crunch. Seby and I are unashamed sweet-tooths and total daredevils when it comes to trying new things, but even we found this one a bit intense. However, we must admit… we totally loved it.