21 June: Two adults and up to 3 children (under 12) £50. Children will have their own set menu. Quote Fathers Day on booking form*

Let’s Make Father’s Day the Day for Dads

It’s an odd thing, we seem to think that Father’s Day is a recent invention. That it might have been invented by the card manufacturers! Not so, it has its origins back at the beginning of last century.

On 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd  in Spokane, Washington tried to establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for men. She went to local churches, the YMCA, shopkeepers and government officials to raise support for her idea. Her idea took root and Washington State celebrated the first Father’s Day in the US on July 19, 1910. Slowly, the holiday spread, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that it became a national holiday there.

Now, fathers are celebrated across the world on their special day- usually the third Sunday in June -but with far less panache than Mother’s Day.

In Germany, it is the one day of the year when fathers are officially allowed to free themselves from any parenting duties or, in fact, any responsibility whatsoever. It’s a good excuse to have a drink and enjoy themselves. Männertag or Herrentag, which translates as "men's day," is open to any male who wants to embrace  their more “basic side”. There’s plenty of drink involved and you can imagine things can get a little out of hand. 

“My father taught me to work, but not to love it. I never did like to work, and I don’t deny it. I’d rather read, tell stories, crack jokes, talk, laugh—anything but work.” Abraham Lincoln

There’s such a lot of scope to make Father’s Day much more fun, a celebration. Perhaps it should be called Dad’s Day? Indeed, here in Scotland, 2016 will be designated the Year of the Dad. In partnership with the Scottish Government  it will recognise good practice and celebrate a shift in attitudes as dads get more opportunity to share parenting alongside working responsibilities.

We’d like Dad’s Day to celebrate the wonderful men in our lives. Their humour, their sense of fun, the way they support us no matter what misdeed we’ve been up to. To recognise the responsibility they have on their shoulders.  We love the idea of Dad’s Choice awards where Dad’s get to vote on the best toys around rather than their kids and The Dads 2015 which recognised their importance in parenting.

Celebrate the man in your life with us!

Bring your Dad, your son, your husband or simply the best man in your life along to the Colonnades. We’re opening especially on 21 June to provide a fabulous afternoon tea. We’re dreaming up a very special afternoon tea to remember. Book now using the widget on the right. 

And in the meantime, check out these inspirational TED talks on Dads. 

* Places are limited and must be booked in advance. This offer is for 21 June 2015 only. Offer is £50 for two adults and up to 3 children under 12. Children will be served a set afternoon tea which is different to the adult tea. Additional adults will be charged at £25 each. Please ring 0131 226 1064 if you have any queries. Dietary requirements can be accommodated but must be advised in advance. 

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