The Medical Research Council (MRC) Gay Men's Sexual Health Survey in Glasgow and Edinburgh collected anonymous, self‐complete questionnaires and oral fluid specimens (using OraSure® Oral Specimen Collection Devices; OraSure Technologies, Inc., Bethlehem, PA, USA) in 17 gay commercial venues in May 2011, using a form of time and location sampling 9. Overall, 1515 men participated [65% response rate (RR)] and 1218 provided oral fluid samples (52% RR).The Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) Social Media, MSM & Sexual Health Survey was a Scotland‐wide online survey carried out from November 2012 to February 2013. Pop‐up message blasts and/or banner adverts invited men using gay‐specific social media websites (Gaydar, Recon and Squirt), smartphone apps (Grindr and Gaydar) and Facebook to participate. In total, 1326 men completed useable questionnaires (given the nature of online surveys it is not possible to calculate a response rate).The University College London/Public Health England (UCL/PHE) Gay Men's Survey in London was conducted between March and June 2011 in 31 gay social venues including bars, clubs and saunas. Overall, 1216 men participated (RR 62%) and 1005 provided an oral fluid specimen using OraSure® (RR 51%).