The Edinburgh Reporter’s Valentine’s Day stories and suggestions for you
We seem to recall it was ladies of a certain age in the snug area of a bar who would order a pink gin. Well that is all behind us now as gin has come of age and is now a trendy drink, certainly here in Edinburgh where it is distilled in the city centre.
Edinburgh Gin proposes that all you need is love – and Valentine’s Gin this February. Here is what they say:
Hopelessly devoted to handcrafting memorable gin, this very limited-edition batch has been distilled with chamomile, lemon balm and lemongrass – herbaceous plants known for their soothing, amorous properties.
These Eastern exotics are married with our signature Scottish botanicals and juniper, creating a bursting bouquet of Valentine’s Gin. Best of all? Each batch has been gently infused with hearth-throbbing hibiscus and macerated rose to give it a pretty-in-pink, naturally passionate hue.
You can pick up a bottle of Valentine’s Gin exclusively at the Edinburgh Gin Distillery or order online.
VALENTINES AT DINE
3 COURSES & GLASS OF PROSECCO
£69.95 PER COUPLE
Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, is asking lovers to nominate their favourite romantic walks before the finalists are put to the public vote ahead of February 14.
The walk can be a trip down memory lane to loves past or present and people entering the competition are being given the chance to share their reasons for their nominations.
The competition is also designed to inspire people to revisit their favourite city walks and perhaps relive the memories.
The competition is open to all, with the winning entry featured on the Living Streets website as part of the drive to make Britain a walking nation.
Living Streets Scotland Director Stuart Haysaid: “This competition is open to all – whether you want to fly the flag for your own city, or chose another that has been the setting for a romantic break. We would like to know the story behind each nomination and will be holding an online vote to let the nation decide the winner.
“The competition is light-hearted but we want to get across the simple message that just going for a walk a few times a week is enough to help people enjoy noticeable mental and physical health benefits. Hopefully couples will be inspired to explore their city looking for the winning entry.”
Please submit your entry to henry.ellis@livingstreets.org.uk
Dine at Kyloe to celebrate your love!
Save over £700 in Val d’Isère this Valentine’s Day with VIP SKI
Chalet Farmhouse, a spectacular farmhouse conversion, is bursting with character and boasts a fabulous location in the very heart of Val d’Isère’s cobbled old town. Sleeping 12-14 guests this is a great choice for larger groups.
Priced from £2,000 (down from £2,729 saving £729) for a week’s stay beginning 14th February. Price includes catered accommodation, return flights from London Gatwick, coach transfers and VIP SKI’s chalet service.
VIP SKI (0208 875 1957; www.vip-chalets.com)
There are direct flights from Edinburgh to Geneva with easyJet.
The hotel is offering a romantic escape that will definitely get hearts fluttering as you and your other half can enjoy the boutique hotel. Your package will include:
1 night’s stay
Complimentary late check out at noon
Rose petals
A bottle of Red or White Wine
10% off a meal in Steak Restaurant or Steak on Stones
10% off drinks in the bar Beer & Skittles
All for only £95!
If you would like any more information or would like to book,
please phone: 0131 556 9908 or email reception@twelvehotel.co.uk
Romance your other half throughout February at The Bonham, a beautiful 4-star boutique hotel in the heart of Edinburgh – one of the UK’s most romantic cities.
Take time out with a 1-night stay in a luxury bedroom, white rose petals, chocolates, fizz, and breakfast from just £125 per room per night.
Or join us for dinner and fizz at the Restaurant at Bonham and dine from an exclusive menu of locally sourced seasonal Scottish produce or enjoy cocktails in The Consulting Room.
So whether it’s your first mini-break or a second mini-moon, we’ve got the perfect location for a love affair in Edinburgh.
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Mecca Leith looking for the longest-married couple in Leith!
With love filling the air this Valentine’s Day, the team at the Mecca Bingo club on Manderston Street are on the search to find a couple in Leith who have truly stood the test of time.The team at Mecca Leith are on the hunt to find the longest-married couple in Leith so they can be given a special treat by Mecca Bingo and ensure that this year’s Valentine’s Day is a remarkable and memorable occasion.
The lucky couple will be treated to an exclusive and fun-packed evening at their local club and will receive flowers and a bottle of champagne all in celebration of their long-standing love and devotion to one another.
Steve, general manager at Mecca Leith, commented: “Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year and an important day to spend with that special person in your life, so we thought why not invite them into our club to receive a special gift and provide everything they need for a great night out together.
“Bingo brings people together and we know that some of our members have been together for many decades so it’ll be fantastic to award them or other long-standing couples from Leith with a special celebration.
“Amongst our many fun events and celebrations here at Mecca Leith being crowned our longest-married couple is just another reason to play at Mecca Bingo and have a great night out with the love of your life or even just your friends.”
To enter the search to be crowned as the longest married couple in Leith, please take a photocopy of your marriage certificate to the front desk at Mecca Leith or alternatively email it to prmecca@havas.com. The search is open until Monday 8 February and your name and contact details must be included on your submission.
To attend a Mecca Club you do need to be aged 18 years or over and be a customer of Mecca Bingo. Joining is free of charge and you can sign-up at www.meccabingo.com or at the club.
Valentine’s Day at Premier Inns across the UK
Treat your loved one this Valentine’s day to a romantic getaway at some of the UK’s top destinations.
Whether it’s seeing the sights during an action-packed city break, or relaxing on a countryside retreat, Premier Inn has something for everyone this February with over 700 hotels up and down the country.
On Valentine’s weekend (Friday 12th – Sunday 14th) there will be 20,000 Premier Inn rooms available to book from just £35, with another 10,000 up for grabs on the evening of Sunday 14th. *
Recently named the UK’s top rated hotel chain by Which? in their UK Hotel Chains 2015 Report, Premier Inn is guaranteed to offer you quality, comfort and a great night’s sleep. Guests can enjoy sampling the new breakfast menu while making use of the free Wi-Fi to post their romantic getaway memories online.
Top Valentine’s Day picks:
Brighton City Centre: From £39 on 14th February
Take a romantic stroll through Brighton’s famous pebbled lanes and enjoy a fun night out along its buzzing promenade with a loved one this Valentine’s Day.
London (Tower): From £59 on 14th February
Celebrate this special day in spooky style at the centre of London’s gothic history and explore the ghost stories of the Tower of London with your partner by your side. Or, if romance is more your thing, take a stroll along the banks of the River Thames with a stop off at the majestic St Paul’s.
Durham City Centre: From £35 on 14th February
Culturally and historically rich, Durham’s Premier Inn is a perfect destination for Valentine’s Day with the hotel just half a mile from the World Heritage Centre by the River Weir. Other cultural activities include the famous Durham Cathedral and the city’s Norman Castle. Then, end the day with a tasty meal and bottle of wine in the lovely on-site restaurant, Thyme.
Edinburgh Central: From £39 on 14th February or Edinburgh City Centre (Haymarket): From £35 on 14th February
Take a romantic trip to the buzzing Scottish Capital and enjoy a wide variety of activities on offer in the city to keep your loved one happy this February; a stroll up the Royal Mile, ending with a visit to Edinburgh Castle. Or if you are feeling energetic, walk to the top of Arthur’s Seat with its spectacular views over the city.
Norfolk: From £35 on 14th February
Stay in the heart of historic Norwich for just £35. Take your loved one to see some drama or comedy at the Theatre Royal, or catch your breath by the sea amongst Norfolk beach’s beautiful sand dunes.
Whitstable, Kent: From £29 on 14th February
Life’s a beach at this picturesque seaside town in Kent. Celebrate in romantic style with fresh seafood and bubbly overlooking the sea while watching the sunset over the English Channel from the warmth of a seafront restaurant or cafe. Or take a trip into Canterbury and explore the Cathedral, home to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
North Wales, Hotel Llandudno (Glan-Conwy): From £29 on 14th February
Enjoy the beautiful Welsh scenery this Valentine’s Day, with effortless access to Snowdonia National Park. The hotel offers an amazing starting point to explore all the natural beauty, making it a Valentine’s to remember.
Inverness Centre (River Ness): From £29 on 14th February
Get a taste of the Highlands this Valentine’s Day. Go wildlife spotting along the Caledonian Canal, or hire a boat on Loch Ness in an attempt to find Nessie. Boasting amazing panoramic views of the River Ness, your Premier Inn getaway is is sure to set the mood for romance.
£35 rooms are exclusively available when you book direct at www.premierinn.com. The room price includes the Valentine’s weekend (Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights), but don’t wait around, the earlier you book, the better your choice of fantastic locations!
Guests are advised to book 21 days in advance of the reservation date to take full advantage of Premier Inn offers.
For further information, full terms and conditions or to book visit www.premierinn.com (Rooms at this price are subject to availability).
Fancy something a bit further afield?
Head to Buenos Aires for Romance and Tango this Valentine’s Day with Rickshaw Travel
Travellers on this trip will explore sexy and sophisticated Buenos Aires, a city of steamy tango, sizzling steaks and a nightlife that never stops. They will take an eye-opening tour with a local Porteño (resident of the city) for an edgy glimpse into behind-the-scenes life and soak up the totally seductive atmosphere. They’ll stay in happening Palermo, one of the most popular barrios in Buenos Aires with wide streets lined with historic houses, lots of outdoor cafes, leafy parks and plenty of designer boutiques.
This 3-day ‘bite-size’ trip is priced from £218 and includes accommodation, breakfast, return airport transfers, private city tour and public transport tickets during the city tour.
Rickshaw Travel (01273 322399; www.rickshawtravel.co.uk)
And here’s a ‘love’ story for you:
Records of births, marriages and deaths, which are now published online by National Records of Scotland, reveal the start of civil marriages which ended Gretna Green-style marriages in 1940.
Among the marriages is the extraordinary story of a dashing Scottish actor–turned soldier who married an actress an hour after being divorced in a Scottish court on St Valentine’s Day 1940.
Captain Bruce Seton, a well-known leading man in films, married his second wife, Antoinette Cellier, in a special ceremony in Edinburgh on 14 February 1940. Only an hour before, he had been granted a divorce in the Court of Session from his first wife Tamara Desni, a glamorous actress of Russian descent. This may be the shortest time ever between a divorce and remarriage in Scotland.
Seton’s marriage was one of 53,522 that took place in Scotland in 1940, and all are being made available online through the official website ScotlandsPeople.