WINTER is frequently dubbed as ‘cuffing season’ – a period when many singles start seeking relationships.
However, for those already loved up, it can also become a prime opportunity for infidelity.
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Experts suggest that people are more inclined to cheat on their partners during the colder months, and certain cities in Scotland are notably more prone than others.
Research indicates that January is the second most popular month for seeking affairs, with September taking the lead.
And the reasoning behind this trend seems quite straightforward.
Lucy Beresford, a psychotherapist and relationship expert, said: “As the nights grow longer and the weather turns cold, our desire to snuggle up with a discreet cuddle partner intensifies, making us feel connected and appreciated.
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“When the thrill of summer feels distant, our need for emotional nourishment becomes even greater.”
While Salford in the south has been named the UK’s infidelity capital, three Scottish cities have also made it into the top 20.
Following Salford, Manchester holds the second spot, with Newcastle Upon Tyne close behind in third.
In Scotland, Glasgow has earned the title of the cheating capital, placing 12th in the UK.
Edinburgh follows closely at 13th, while Aberdeen, the Granite City, comes in at 15th.
The trend of higher infidelity rates in northern UK cities may be tied to nightlife.
Lucy added: “It’s the season for warmth and enjoyment, and it’s notable that vibrant cities like Salford, Manchester, and Newcastle consistently land in the top three spots in this survey.
“This trend suggests that people are drawn to locations with a lively social scene, featuring bars, cinemas, comedy clubs, a variety of hotels, and numerous restaurants and cafes.
“This variety provides ample opportunities for couples to meet discreetly with their affair partners.
“Interestingly, two coastal towns, Brighton and Bournemouth, also score highly, indicating that even in wintery weather, couples having affairs might be tempted to stroll along the piers or walk hand-in-hand on the beach.”
Below you can find out if your city made the cut, and just where they rank in terms of people seeking out affairs.
For those who live in these cities and are curious to see if their partners might be up to no good, sexpert Amy Williams, CEO of Peachy, a leading adult toy store shares the signs to look out for.
Less sex
Amy said: “If they constantly avoid sex with excuses about being tired or stressed, it could be a red flag.”
Or… more sex
Amy explained: “People know that having less sex can lead their partners to suspect they’re having an affair, so they might force more intimacy than usual to try and cover their tracks.”
New moves
Amy says: “Their other partner might have taught them something new, or they might have simply felt freer to practice something with them.
“Either way, if they’re flawlessly executing something you’ve never seen before, ask yourself when they had the opportunity to practice that.”
“Either way, if they’re flawlessly executing something you’ve never seen before, ask yourself when they had the opportunity to practice that.”
Four red flags your partner is cheating
Private Investigator Aaron Bond from BondRees revealed four warning signs your partner might be cheating.
They start to take their phone everywhere with them
In close relationships, it’s normal to know each other’s passwords and use each other’s phones, if their phone habits change then they may be hiding something.
Aaron says: “If your partner starts changing their passwords, starts taking their phone everywhere with them, even around the house or they become defensive when you ask to use their phone it could be a sign of them not being faithful.”
“You should also look at how they place their phone down when not in use. If they face the phone with the screen facing down, then they could be hiding something.”
They start telling you less about their day
When partners cheat they can start to avoid you, this could be down to them feeling guilty or because it makes it easier for them to lie to you.
“If you feel like your partner has suddenly begun to avoid you and they don’t want to do things with you any more or they stop telling you about their day then this is another red flag.”
“Partners often avoid their spouses or tell them less about their day because cheating can be tough, remembering all of your lies is impossible and it’s an easy way to get caught out,” says Aaron.
Their libido changes
Your partner’s libido can change for a range of reasons so it may not be a sure sign of cheating but it can be a red flag according to Aaron.
Aaron says: “Cheaters often have less sex at home because they are cheating, but on occasions, they may also have more sex at home, this is because they feel guilty and use this increase in sex to hide their cheating. You may also find that your partner will start to introduce new things into your sex life that weren’t there before.”
They become negative towards you
Cheaters know that cheating is wrong and to them, it will feel good, this can cause tension and anxiety within themselves which they will need to justify.
“To get rid of the tension they feel inside they will try to convince themselves that you are the problem and they will become critical of you out of nowhere. Maybe you haven’t walked the dog that day, put the dishes away or read a book to your children before bedtime. A small problem like this can now feel like a big deal and if you experience this your partner could be cheating,” warns Aaron.