Stay and hang with queers in Glasgow

Glasgow's Southside does queer afternoons beautifully, from a long browse at Category Is Books in Govanhill to a gossip over coffee on Victoria Road. Over in the West End, wander Kelvingrove Park and the Botanic Gardens, where the Kibble Palace glasshouse is full of giant tree ferns. As evening comes in, head up to the flagpole at the top of Queen's Park and watch the city lights come on below you. Then make for the Merchant City, where Katie's Bar does drag in a buzzy basement.

In winter, keep an eye out for a queer ceilidh, where hardly anyone knows the steps and everyone ends up spinning a stranger round the room. It is the cosiest way to make friends when the sun is down by four.