Talk:Prostitution in Scotland

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This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 11 January 2021 and 7 May 2021. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Kassiebridges.

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Legislative framework section

Possibly better to split into 3 subsections, say 'Soliciting', 'Kerb Crawling' & 'Brothels'.

At the moment it all rolls into one and it's not obvious where one Act finishes and the next one starts.

John B123 (talk) 20:50, 27 February 2017 (UTC)

Toleration

New section.

In 1982 the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 came into force. This prohibited soliciting, but also gave Local councils the power to licence places of entertainment. Edinburgh Council issued licenses to massage parlours and saunas, effectively allowing brothels.[1]

The council came under pressure not to renew the licences in 2012 [2], but renewed the licences. [3]

In 2013 the Scottish police forces were merged to form Police Scotland. Previously each local force had had it's own policy regarding prostitution. Police Scotland applied one policy to all of Scotland. [4] This resulted in raids on the saunas in June 2013. [5] Many of the saunas were forced to close. [6]

In 1985 Lothian and Borders Police negotiated with Edinburgh's prostitutes to form a tolerance zone in Leith’s Coburg Street area. In return for the police 'turning a blind eye', the prostitutes would stay within this area. [7] Gentrification was happening in the Coburg Street area and in August 2001 the toleration zone was moved to an industrial estate in Salamander Street. [8] Following protests from local residents the toleration zone was closed in November 2001. [9]

[[Aberdeen set up a tolerance zone in the dock area in the dock area in 2001. The Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Act 2007 came into force on October 2007. This Act criminalised Kerb crawling and as result the tolerance zone was closed. [10]

Scottish National Party MSP Margo MacDonald introduced the Prostitution Tolerance Zones Bill to the Scottish Parliament in 2002. This would have allowed tolerance zones to be set up.[11]. Following an enquiry by an expert group into prostitution, the Bill was withdrawn in November 2005. [12]

John B123 (talk) 22:40, 27 February 2017 (UTC)

Ranger’s Impartial List of Ladies of Pleasure

New section:

Published anonymously in 1775, Ranger’s Impartial List of Ladies of Pleasure was a review of 66 of Edinburgh's prostitutes. [13] The author was later revealed to be James Tytler, editor of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. [14]

A typical entry

Miss Sutherland, Back of Bell’s Wynd

This Lady is an old veteran in the service, about 30 years of age, middle sized, black hair and complexion and very good teeth, but not altogether good-natured.

She is a firm votary to the wanton Goddess, and would willingly play morning, noon, and night.

As a friend, we will give a caution to this Lady, as she has a habit to make free with a gentleman’s pocket, especially when he is in liquor.

The book was republished in 1978 by Paul Harris, as 'Ranger’s Impartial List of Ladies of Pleasure in Edinburgh'. [15]

John B123 (talk) 23:05, 27 February 2017 (UTC)