Gay-friendly travel website is launched

A NEW website that promotes Scotland as a destination for gay-friendly holidays, wedding ceremonies and honeymoons has been set up by an Edinburgh entrepreneur.

Ruth Cochrane set up LoveScotland.com to target lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual communities in North America and southern England.

The company promises to take care of all those "awkward travel moments" experienced by gay couples, such as being offered the twin room when checking into a hotel.

The new firm is already up for a major national business award.

The firm, thought to be the first of its kind in Scotland, has been shortlisted in the final 30 companies of the Bright Business Idea competition; part of New Start Scotland, the country's largest business support event, which takes place in Glasgow this weekend.

Ms Cochrane, who is currently planning her own civil ceremony, will now compete in the Dragons' Den-style competition to win 30,000 of business support, including 5,000 cash.

She said: "Scotland's rights for same sex couples make it one of the most progressive countries in the world."