Issue #12: Escape to Wild Scotland. No Buses, Just Adventures

WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THIS ISSUE:

• Why Scotland is more than bagpipes and brunch tours

• How to road trip it queer and relaxed

• A 3-day itinerary with stops, hikes and whisky

• Who this kind of trip is actually good for (and who it’s not)

• Bonus curated tips for planning your escape

Start city-safe, then go wild

Both Edinburgh and Glasgow are ideal launch pads.
Why?

• Excellent train access from across the UK

• Both have visible LGBTQ+ communities (Forever Edinburgh and Visit Glasgow)

• Great food scenes and relaxed nightlife without the intensity of big capitals

Edinburgh is polished and historic. Think boutique hotels, cosy pubs, and moody walks up Arthur’s Seat.

Glasgow is scruffier, cooler, and more community-focused. Live music, queer collectives, and — honestly — better late-night chips.

Nature means space to …breathe

Scotland’s wild spaces don’t ask you to rough it. They just ask you to slow down.

Drive an hour north of Glasgow and you’ll hit Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park where forest trails curl around still water, and the hills roll like a green blanket flung over the land.

Hike Conic Hill, and you’ll get views that make you stop mid-sentence. Sit on the ridge, just quietly taking it in for as long as you want. No signal, no sound.

75 miles further north in the Cairngorms, everything feels bigger. The landscape stretches into itself.

If you're lucky, you’ll spot red deer silhouetted on the ridgeline. Perfect for small groups, the kind who share flasks, bad jokes, and quiet satisfaction at the top of a climb.

This isn’t ‘look but don’t touch’ nature. It’s messy, gorgeous, and very much yours to step into.

Build contrast: walk, then rest. Climb, then clink glasses.

A queer road trip through Scotland isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things together.

You might hike a craggy trail by morning, legs sore and hearts full, and then settle into a warm-lit distillery tasting room by evening.

Whisky by the fire, shared stories from the trail, the kind of conversations that only happen after moving through beautiful landscape for the day.

Take a bike ride along the loch, then nap in the grass. Walk hand-in-hand on a beach in Elie, then share chips and Irn-Bru from a paper bag.

Slow moments build closeness, whether you’re two people reconnecting or four friends escaping the noise.

And the weather? Changeable. Dramatic. Glorious in all the wrong ways. You’ll curse the drizzle, then see a rainbow across a glen and laugh like idiots. Pack for everything. Embrace it all.

Who this trip is great for… and who it’s not

Great for:

• Couples who like time together more than rigid schedules

• Families with teens or older kids who enjoy walking or nature

• Small groups happy to share a car and a slow pace

Not ideal for:

• Travellers who want big nightlife every night

• Those who hate driving or get twitchy without constant Wi-Fi

• People who need structure — this trip works best with flexibility and comfort with the unknown

Bonus Links

🔗 Walkhighlands – Scotland’s best trail maps
🔗 Scotland’s Best Distilleries

Suggested 3-Day Itinerary: Scotland by Car

Day 1: Edinburgh > Loch Lomond

• Coffee in Leith, drive north to Balloch (~1.5hrs)

• Hike Conic Hill

• Overnight at a B&B or eco-lodge

• Optional whisky tasting at Glengoyne Distillery

Day 2: Loch Lomond > Cairngorms

• Scenic drive through the Trossachs

• Explore Aviemore, hike Craigellachie Nature Reserve

• Overnight near Grantown-on-Spey

• Stargazing if skies are clear

Day 3: Cairngorms > Glasgow

• Lazy breakfast

• Explore Glasgow’s West End

• Dinner at The Corset Club, a queer pub/venue with veggie food and drag nights

BONUS: Planning Tips (That Actually Help)

• Fly or train into Edinburgh or Glasgow

• Rent a car from the city to explore the Highlands or coast

• Book lodges, Airbnbs or rural B&Bs especially those that highlight LGBTQ+ inclusive language (or filter via Misterb&b)

• Pack waterproofs, snacks, and a playlist that includes some mellow lo-fi beats