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Edinburgh saw the second annual gathering of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people from across Scotland on 5-7 March.

The residential weekend, which involved around 70 young people, marked the first year of the Scotland wide LGBT Have Your Say project. It' s a project dedicated to getting the voices of LGBT youth heard in local and national decision making. In the past year, the Have Your Say project has helped young people elect two members of the Scottish Youth Parliament to further represent their views. At the National Gathering, a Youth Council was elected to help advice the MSYPs. Each Health Board area is able to have two representatives on the council, and each LGBT youth group can have two also - all allowing for many different views and opinions to be heard.

‘The Youth Council is a great opportunity for young folk to direct the LGBT work happening in the Scottish Youth Parliament,' said Grace Cardoza, National Development Manager of LGBT Youth Scotland. ‘It also gives young people a chance to meet new people and work on their leadership and communication skills.'

The weekend wasn' t just about elections though; participants also had a chance to participate in sports and art workshops, and spend time exploring the capital city. One highlight of the weekend was a discussion with Craig Hill, the comedian whom Scotland on Sunday called, ‘a camp scamp and all-round twinkling exhibitionist.'

Another favourite was Green MSP Patrick Harvie, who came to preside over the elections and lend his support. As Marc, age 18, put it : ‘It was a great weekend, I met lots of new people and saw some familiar faces. Can we have another one next weekend?' .