Orkney and Edinburgh ‘are UK romance hotspots’

A view of Stromness, Orkney. Picture: Jane Barlow/TSPL

The Romantic Awards were set up to celebrate the UK’s most romantic things and cover everything from wedding venues, gifts and experiences, to destinations, entrepreneurs and real life heroes and heroines.

A public vote on the Mills & Boon website, which runs up to 20 April, will decide the three finalists for each category.

Edinburgh and the Orkney Islands have been shortlisted in the most romantic destination category alongside Bath, Brighton, St Ives, Stratford-upon-Avon, the Lake District, the Brecon Beacons, Oxford and York.

Calton Hill, Edinburgh. Picture: Toby Williams

Kirsty Mainland, chair of the Orkney Tourism Group, said: “We’re thrilled, but not surprised that Orkney has been shortlisted for a romantic destination award.

“Our dramatic and magical landscape has long been a draw for couples looking to spend quality time together, while the islands remain a constant source of inspiration for writers, poets, artists and musicians.

“Weddings in Orkney have a special quality, with lots of honeymooners from around the world also drawn here. It’s hard not to fall in love with the place and we’re sure Orkney will get lots of votes, both from the local community and from further afield.”