We sent TV Researcher Cameron Banks back to his home town north of the border to reveal its gay (and other) delights.Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh! Ah yes, the Athens Of The North, though a mite chillier it has to be said. I may be a touch biased as I was born there but I do think that this is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, nay, the world. Now, I pretend not to be the most travelled boy in the world but only Prague so far has been any kind of rival. It is one of my favourite places in the world and get up there…you will love it. You’re liver won’t thank you but hey ho!
QUEENS AND OTHER HISTORICAL STUFFTo get an impression of this city, upon arrival, head up Calton Hill, found at the EastEnd of Princes Street. (Handy Hint: It is PRINCES STREET not PRINCESS STREET. Locals are very particular about this. ) It isn’t hard to spot seeing as how it has half a pillared building built on top of it. (This isn’t a ruin, Edinburgh just ran out of money whilst it was being built and since has been known as Edinburgh’s folly.) The climb isn’t a climb as such, more a stroll and then you can look upon the vista of fair Edinburgh. Over on your left (or South) is the Old Town, a fantastic jumble of turreted old houses piled atop each other. When Edinburgh was first built, it had a huge marsh next to it (now Princes Street Gardens) and nobody could figure out how to build across it so they had to accommodate the population by building upwards, and what you have today are windy cobbled streets and narrow closes (‘alleys’) leading to the nicest selection of shops and cafes. In complete contrast, straight ahead is the Newtown, planned and laid out in grand Georgian style with wide streets and imposing, perfectly proportioned buildings. Lovely.But anyway, chances are, you’re not wanting a geography lesson but hey! I did fifth year Geography and I’m going to spout forth that knowledge. But moving on now, to the gay scene. Where to start. Well, I suppose really I’m thinking of shopping. Princes Street is the main thoroughfare, but really is best avoided. Go a couple of streets parallel and you’ll find George Street, calmer and a touch classier. Further over again and you’ll hit Stockbridge which is to my mind very pleasant with a nice selection of cafés and boutique-esque type things. Oh and, Harvey Nics will be there in 2002. It is like some ‘ higher up’ seal of approval somehow.
GAY PUBBING AND CLUBBINGBut to the ‘scene’. Edinburgh’s scene is best described as small and compact, all contained at the top end of Leith Walk, but it is a lot of fun. An old favourite is The Blue Moon Café off Broughton Street. It has a lovely warm atmosphere with friendly service and charming staff. It was one of the first gay places I ever went to and I have many happy memories. Certainly every time I’ve been there I’ve had absolutely no attitude from staff whatsoever, which is a bit of a shocker once you’ve lived in London for long enough. Kick off those mules and sip a coffee and plan your night out.Choices for places to go before going to CC Bloom’s?(for you will end up there. No matter how convinced you are that you won’t, you will. Get used to the fact, embrace it and enjoy it.) They are limited, but I liked Planet Out which is just a few doors down from your ultimate destination. It had a lively bar feel to it, with good loud music. Loud enough to get you in the mood, but not too loud so you can’t talk to your friends…old and new. (Does that mean I am really showing my age? Eeek!) Just around the corner is PopRockit, a trendy clubby place, where DJs are spinning dem tunes to get you in the mood. Mind you, the contrast between here and where you’re off to next is quite extreme. But hey ho. So, you’ve had a few and so at last it seems a good idea to head up to CC Blooms on Greenside Place. It will be packed and very mixed, both in gender and age, which is only a good thing. Upstairs it is slightly quieter, but as this is only in comparison to the packedness of downstairs, don’t be envisioning anything too quiet! The drinks are cheap, the music is cheesy and everyone seems to know everyone else. Give yourself a couple of nights and you’ll look like a seasoned local too. Finally, nip down stairs. Now, I was there during the Edinburgh Festival and I appreciate that it is a bit busier in those days but really, how many people can you cram into that tiny space? You sweat like you have never sweated before but you have a brilliant laugh. And that really is what CC’s is about in essence. It is not a ‘serious’ club but it is a place to go and get wasted and have a big smile on your face whilst doing so. And some of the boys are rather tasty too…especially Dav…oh, never mind. For the serious clubbers amongst you, head to Joy or Taste, clubs which run on varying weekends throughout the month, so check ahead to see if you get the right weekend. The infoline is 0131 467 2551. Joy was an old favourite, but to my mind hasn’t been as good as once was, but still attracts a healthy bunch of fans. Taste on the other hand is one of those clubs that you go to and remember what it used to all be about. (Oh God, I am getting old! Bollocks.) I had my best night in a long while at Taste. The music was great but more importantly, you will not meet a more fantastic bunch of clubbers. Back to the times when people just skip up to you and tell you that life is great and all is beautiful before skipping off to spread some more good cheer. My happiness might have been due to a very pleasant Spaniard called…oh, never mind! Taste runs on Sundays and is in a new venue in Niddry Street from the end of this month. Several hundred thousand pounds have been spent on the smelly old Vaults upgrading the building to one of the best venues anywhere in the UK. The infoline is 0131 557 4656.
GETTING THEREGetting to Edinburgh is a doddle ( a mere 4 &1/2 hours from London) and the best time to go is definitely during the festival (late July-end Aug), but plan ahead because accomodation can be tricky and very expensive during this time. Just think, spend your days watching theatre in any of its many guises and then hit the pubs in the evening for a small boozy beverage. Surely heaven on earth? And best of all, no archaic bizarre drinking laws because of Blackout-Blitz times in Scotland! No, you can drink drink drink drink until, oh, at least 5am. And then grab yourself a deep fried Mars Bar to share with your new friend. Barry! (No, your new friend does not need to be called Barry, it is just an old Edinburgh phrase meaning ‘excellent’. No really, it does.) Go! Enjoy!Your fancy tempted?...Check out our Edinburgh webcam now. |
