Fort Kinnaird is celebrating Mother’s Day by offering shoppers the chance to pick up a beautiful houseplant for free on Saturday (29th March).
Whether you’re a mum treating yourself or picking one up for a mother figure in your life, there will be 500 houseplants up for grabs to brighten up a space in the home.
Available near Boots between 11am and 3pm, visitors will be given a houseplant in return for signing up to Fort Kinnaird’s email newsletter.
A perfect token of appreciation, plants offer a range of health benefits, including boosting mood, improving sleep, and purifying the air.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“We know how important Mother’s Day is for so many of our visitors, so we wanted to do something simple but meaningful to mark the occasion. We hope this giveaway brings smiles to our shoppers and helps make the day even more special.”
Fort Kinnaird has a great range of retailers to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift, including jewellery from Goldsmiths, sweet treats from Hotel Chocolat or candles from Homesense. There’s also delicious dining options to spend time catching up, including Chaiiwala and Bread Meats Bread.
NOTE: the 500 plants will be given out on a first come first served basis.
For more information and to plan your trip to Fort Kinnaird, visit:
The Eden Mill Experience offers three uniquely delicious cocktails and a journey through Eden Mill’s best-selling fruity & floral Love Gin; a new online offer with ‘itison’ makes it the perfect Mother’s Day treat
Edinburgh’s fun & thriving West End will see adoring gin fans flock to The Eden Mill Experience this Mother’s Day with the brand-new drinks venue announcing a special partnership with itison with deals from just £21.
The capital’s newest drinks experience, and Eden Mill’s first venue in central Edinburgh, is located in the Heads & Tales Gin Bar at 1A, Rutland Place, EH1 2AD, inviting gin lovers to spoil mum this Mother’s Day with an interactive & immersive mixology experience.
Eden Mill’s delectably fruity and subtly floral pink Love Gin is available in the ‘Share The Love Gin’ session. During the experience, gin enthusiasts will hear the story of how Love Gin was born and the flavoursome botanicals used to make it. Guests are whisked through a dreamy experience with three uniquely delicious cocktails, one of which they will learn to mix themselves.
Hannah Ingram, Head of Marketing at Eden Mill, said: “Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity for Edinburgh’s gin lovers to treat their mums to a range of inventive & delicious cocktails. Our new experience has received fabulous feedback so far, we are so thrilled to bring a taste of St Andrews to the Scottish capital.
“The Eden Mill Experience is the perfect opportunity to showcase our wonderful expressions in an interactive and immersive way, and it’s a privilege to bring our brand to a city with such a vibrant drinks scene.”
‘The Guard Bridge Masterclass’ is also available on Itison for whisky fans; Eden Mill’s blended malt Scotch whisky is can be enjoyed neat or in cocktails, and guests will enjoy a dram and three delicious serves – all expressing the whisky’s sweet, warming tasting notes of sherried fruit and gingerbread. What’s more, one cocktail is “guaranteed to feature an ingredient guests have never tasted before!”.
The Eden Mill Experience is located in the Heads & Tales Gin Bar at 1A, Rutland Place, EH1 2AD in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End. Offering immersive whisky & gin experiences, bookings are available now via the Eden Mill website and itison.
As mums everywhere prepare to be pampered this Mother’s Day, a dashing mother and son duo at Dogs Trust West Calder will enjoy a relaxing day together as they await a new home for two.
Posie, a serene seven-year-old Basset Hound cross, radiates affection and gentleness. Her calming presence offers solace not only to her energetic son, Dasher, a one-year-old bundle of joy with an insatiable curiosity for the world around him, but also to those who cross their path. Together, they navigate life’s ups and downs, relying on each other for support and reassurance.
Despite their past challenges, Posie and Dasher remain resilient, drawing strength from their unbreakable bond. Posie’s role as a mother figure is not just central to Dasher’s life, but it’s the essence of their family. She teaches him, guides him, and above all, loves him unconditionally.
Kim McNeill, Assistant Manager Administration at Dogs Trust West Calder said: “Like most family members, Posie and Dasher are more alike that they might like to admit. They are highly inquisitive, love their walks and if you offer them a tasty treat then you will make two friends instantly.
“Posie is more chilled out than her boy and has a very sweet nature, so she will happily sit on the sofa next to you for a cuddle and observe Dasher’s energetic antics. Dasher is a clever lad who is always on the go. He loves to play and is eager to learn new tricks.
“Posie and Dasher can be unsure in unfamiliar or busy environments but having each other helps them immensely. They require patient and understanding owners who will allow them time to adapt and learn as they settle into a new home.
“They both enjoy company so owners who are at home for most of the day would be ideal. They are a delightful duo who love each other very much while still having double the love to offer to new owners.”
Posie and Dasher are looking to be the only pets in an adult only home. They would love a garden in which to potter, play and relax in together. The inseparable canine companions will bring endless joy, laughter and love into their new owner’s life.
As we move into spring, it’s time to celebrate mums, grandmas and motherly figures for all they do year-round, as the annual celebration of Mother’s Day falls on Sunday 10th March. Offering the perfect opportunity to get the family together, The Botanist is hosting all-day-long celebrations to take care of mum.
The botany-inspired bar & restaurant’s Sunday roast is perfect for catching up and spending quality time together. Choose between Roast Sirloin of Beef, Pot Roast Lamb Shoulder, Slow Roast Honey Glazed Pork Belly, Roast Chicken or vegan Celeriac, Mushroom and Pearl Barley Wellington, each served with a fluffy Yorkshire pudding and accompanying sauce. The dishes come with maple glazed carrots, roast potatoes, greens and gravy, for the whole table to dig in to.
Extra sides can also be added to the family feast, including cranberry glazed pigs in blankets, cauliflower cheese with parmesan crumb and creamed cabbage with smoked bacon.
Showing her just how special she is, every mum dining at The Botanist will receive a complimentary Poppy and Beefeater Pink Gin Punch, as well as a bespoke box of wildflower seeds to plant at home – a gift that keeps on giving.
Throughout the day, the bar will be offering bottomless drinks for an additional £25 with any main course, so Mum can truly let her hair down. Choose between Bloody Mary, Aperol Spritz, Prosecco or The Botanist Lager and enjoy unlimited drinks for 90 minutes whilst dining.
As always, The Botanist’s house bands will be providing the soundtrack to the weekend, with live music throughout the afternoon on Mother’s Day.
Can’t be there in person? Show Mum the love by sending her a gift voucher, bottle of prosecco or bottle of champagne available to purchase online and sent directly to her inbox to be redeemed at The Botanist.
Free gifts are available whilst stocks last. To find your nearest restaurant and book your table visit https://thebotanist.uk.com.
THE EDINBURGH DUNGEONS ARE GIVING THE GIFT OF RELAXATION THIS MOTHER’S DAY BY LOCKING MUM OUT OF THE ATTRACTIONS
Forget dire supermarket flowers and last-minute grab-and-go chocolates this Mother’s Day, as The Dungeons is treating motherly figures to the gift that many actually want … a day of uninterrupted peace and quiet!
This Sunday 10th March, The Edinburgh and York Dungeons are giving families the opportunity to treat their mothers, caregivers and loved ones to a day of peace and pampering by temporarily banning them from the attraction.
So bid farewell to your mum, loved one or person that generally picks up your mess at every turn as they are officially exiled from the depths of the dungeons, allowing them to bask in the serenity of their own home whilst their families can journey into the gruesome attraction which brings to life the deepest and darkest secrets from the city’s history.
Whilst this may be the ultimate gift for any hard-working family members who deserve some rest and relaxation on this special day, fear not as those organised peasants who have already pre-booked to bring their mum or those who’d still like to step back in time together will be allowed to enter, they’ll just have to pretend to be your ugly sister or plague-ridden granny!
Kathryn Adam, General Manager at The Edinburgh Dungeon, said: “While most people give cards, chocolates or flowers for Mother’s Day, we wanted to go one step further by giving mums and loved ones the gift that they often truly want yet won’t admit – some peace and quiet!
“While our attraction is full to the brim with haunts and exciting tales, we also recognise the importance of taking a break and recharging, especially for those who dedicate themselves tirelessly to caring for their families. So put your feet up and relax while your family enjoys a day of frights and fun.”
For further information and to book a visit to The Edinburgh or York Dungeons, please visit the website here: https://www.thedungeons.com
This Mother’s Day, forget flowers and chocolates that only last a few days, and instead, share lifetime memory-making experiences. Rabbie’s offers tours to treat your mum across the UK and Ireland, available to book now.
Book the perfect day trip to sample some of the country’s most iconic sweet treats, visit destinations that double as some of our favourite on-screen locations, and to celebrate the special lady in your life. Rabbie’s day trips include:
Explore England’s most famous pudding and finest tea rooms – link
Derbyshire and the Peak District are home to quaint villages and even quainter tea rooms, the perfect place to enjoy cake and tea with mum. On this one-day tour departing from Manchester, visit and indulge in the village of Bakewell, homeplace of the famous Bakewell Pudding.
A unique vista awaits at Monsal Head, as an old rail line viaduct cuts dramatically through the green hills. To make a memorable Mother’s Day, why not try something new with your mum, and at Poole’s Cavern explore the enormous limestone cave system that has been described as one of the wonders of the Peak District.
Departing from Manchester, prices for the one-day Idyllic England: Derbyshire & the Peak District tour is available from £51 per person.
Bath leaves visitors spoiled for choice for Mother’s Day. Boutique shops, extravagant afternoon teas, and grand Georgian avenues offer options for however you and your mum wish to spend the afternoon.
But before this, Rabbie’s begins the day with style, with a visit to the largest stone circle in the world in Avebury. Choose to spend a quiet moment among the stones or visit the nearby village shops. Next is the picturesque village of Lacock, a rural setting so beautiful that it’s been used as setting for everything from Downton Abbey, to Harry Potter, and Pride and Prejudice.
Whether you’ve snacked on delicious cakes and sandwiches from Lacock’s renowned bakery and inns, or have saved yourself for Bath’s luxurious coffee houses and patisseries, your afternoon is guaranteed to be a delight.
The one-day Bath, Avebury & Lacock Village tour departs from London, with prices from £76 per person.
Extended breaks are a great way for siblings to treat their mum together, and create whole new memories. Rabbie’s offers extended trips across the UK and Ireland, including:
Dingle, Killarney & the Wild Atlantic Way
Find out why the Wild Atlantic Way is known as one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world on this three-day tour of breath-taking views and vibrant Irish culture.
Explore the mountains, lakes, and ancient spiritual structures in Glendalough, and amble through ‘Ireland’s Prettiest Village’, Adare, where classic thatched cottages abound. Use the local knowledge of the driver-guide to discover the best of the peninsula including highlights such as Conor Pass, Tóchar Maothaithe, the Beehive Huts, Slea Head, and Gallarus Oratory.
And enjoy the lively town of Killarney, a thriving town that welcomes visitors all year round and is the perfect spot to make a toast – celebrating and thanking mum.
The three-day Dingle, Killarney & the Wild Atlantic Way tour departs from Dublin, with prices starting from €389.
Rabbie’s offers small group tours that are driven by curiosity and guided by storytellers. The tours take guests beyond the standard tick-list landmarks to explore the lesser-known and uncover the hidden gems across the UK, Ireland and Europe.
For more information about Rabbie’s and to book, visit www.rabbies.com.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Keep Mum’s Heart Healthy this Mother’s Day
This Sunday, 27th of March, treat your mum to a luxurious, heart healthy day. It’s important for all mums to remember to take care of their own health and wellbeing, as well as that of their families. Here’s a few ways to make the day healthy and special:
Breakfast in Bed
Your mum will love being served breakfast, so pop by the shops early or make arrangements the day before. Why not serve up a tray of muesli with juicy berries, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon on wholemeal toast and freshly squeezed fruit juice. Dish up yoghurt with a medley of exotic fruits such as mango, kiwi, lychees and star fruit to make the tray more colourful.
Activities Galore
An active day out is a great way to spend Mother’s Day. This could be anything from a few rounds of tennis/badminton, a walk in the countryside or a cycle in the park. Spending time together as a family is always a treat. Take a healthy picnic and make sure you do the washing up when you get home.
Stress-free Day
Why not pamper her with a home spa? Light a fragranced candle and treat her to a manicure, pedicure, a relaxing facial or a back/neck massage. Running errands, doing the cooking and the washing up is a good way for mum to have a well-earned and stress free day.
Reverse the roles this Mother’s Day by looking after your mum and treating her to a luscious, heart healthy day!
This Mother’s Day mums across the country will wake up to breakfast in bed and bouquets of flowers from their little ones. But although the recognition from family members is appreciated, the fact is many working mums are being pushed to the brink.
Juggling work with family life is not easy. And working mums are buckling under the strain of a combination of caring responsibilities and the added pressures of wages and bills crisis.
Last week the Chancellor delivered his spring statement – setting out spending commitments for the next six months. But there was nothing in the Chancellor’s mini-budget to support working mums, despite the fact that recent TUC research found that one in three parents of pre-school age children spend more than a third of their pay on childcare – a staggering amount when households across the country are struggling to cover soaring energy bills.
And there are other challenges facing women in the labour market. Nearly two in five (38%) key workers are paid less than £10 an hour, and most of them are women. Around 2.5 million women key workers earn under £10 an hour.
One in 10 (1.4 million) women workers earn too little to get any sick pay. And TUC research shows that BME women are twice as likely to be on a zero hours contract than their white male counterparts.
Mums took on the lion’s share of caring responsibilities during the pandemic when schools closed. Now they’re more likely to have to take time off work to care for their children when they get Covid-19. Many are being forced to sacrifice hours and pay to do so.
And too many women are stuck in low-paid, insecure jobs with few rights and no sick pay. They deserve so much more.
5 ways the government can help mums this Mothers Day
This Mother’s Day, the TUC wants the government to introduce five key measures to help mums stay in work and support their families:
Increase the minimum wage to £10 an hour
Increase statutory sick pay to at least the level of the real Living Wage, for everyone in work.
Bring in an entitlement to 10 days parental leave per year for each child, on full pay. Currently parents have no legal right to paid leave to look after their children.
Ban zero hours contracts.
Introduce a right to genuine flexible work, from the first day in a job. Flexible working includes having predictable or set hours, working from home, job-sharing, working compressed hours and term-time only working.
Long-term reforms
But ministers cannot stop there. The TUC says the gender pay gap opens when women become mothers, which then feeds into the gender pensions gap later in life.
Government must look at fundamental reforms to equalise care between men and women. A striking omission from the spring statement was the lack of any mention of childcare.
Without access to affordable childcare many families will be forced into further hardship and many mums will be forced out of the labour market.
And the Governments evaluation of shared parental leave is long overdue.
The TUC says ministers must:
Tackle the gender pay and pensions gap. Government should require all employers to publish an action plan alongside their pay gap reporting, setting out the steps they will take to close their gender pay gaps.
Invest in the childcare sector and ensure everyone has access to good quality and affordable childcare and childcare workers are paid a living wage. TUC research found that one in three parents of pre-school age children spend more than a third of their pay on childcare. TUC research also found that over 170,000 childcare workers would benefit from a minimum wage increase to £10 per hour.
Overhaul Shared Parental leave (SPL). Around only 1 per cent of eligible families take up shared parental leave. We need an individual right to SPL for both parents on a use it or lose it basis and paid at real living wage rate.
Women have fought hard for their rights and progression in the world of work, but more than a decade of austerity, compounded by the pandemic and now the wages and bills crisis risks turning the clock back on progress towards women’s equality at work and in wider society.
If the government is serious about women’s equality then it must get serious about its policy interventions.
Celebrity chef and food writer Ching He Huang MBE is supporting Mary’s Meals this Mother’s Day
Ching He Huang MBE is just one of the famous faces featured in a special Mother’s Day recipe book which has been created in support of Mary’s Meals.
The celebrity chef and food writer has donated a recipe for her mum’s golden sticky rice cabbage ‘money bag’ parcels to the school feeding charity. It features in an online cookbook, alongside Judy Murray’s mum’s traditional shortbread recipe, and Nadiya Hussain’s mum’s Bengali chicken korma recipe.
Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals to more than two million children every school day in 20 of the world’s poorest countries, including South Sudan, Ethiopia and Malawi. The promise of a good meal attracts children into the classroom, giving them the energy and opportunity to learn, and the chance of a brighter future.
Ching He Huang says: “My mum’s presence can often be felt in my cooking. Whenever I use sticky glutinous rice it always reminds me of mum – she always says if you eat sticky rice you will always stick with your family.
“I am proud to join Mary’s Meals in celebrating the important role of mothers across the world, delivering food, joy and hope to children living in the world’s poorest communities.”
The charity is offering a range of lovely Mother’s Day gifts, starting from just £15.90, that will feed a hungry child every school day for a full year. Each gift includes access to the online recipe book – featuring Ching’s recipe and more.
In the countries where Mary’s Meals serves its life-changing meals, it is most often mothers who volunteer to prepare and cook the food. They do this so that their children, and children living in their communities, can have the chance of a better life. Here in Scotland, many mothers volunteer their time to raise funds for the charity and raise awareness of its work.
Emma Hutton, head of grassroots engagement, says: “Mums really do make Mary’s Meals! Without the support of the amazing mums, grandmothers and aunts who volunteer for Mary’s Meals, we simply wouldn’t be able to feed over two million children every school day.
“We are delighted to have Ching’s support for our Mother’s Day campaign, which celebrates the love and work that is involved in preparing and serving Mary’s Meals to children living in the world’s poorest countries.”
1 spring onion, trimmed and finely chopped small handful of coriander, finely chopped
For the ‘money bag’ parcels
6 whole savoy cabbage leaves
6 garlic chives or onion chives
To garnish
micro shiso
micro coriander
edible flowers
Method
Put the rice in a saucepan over a medium heat.
Add the stock and bring to the boil, then cover with a lid, reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes until all the stock has been absorbed.
Turn the rice out on to a tray and cool at room temperature for 15 minutes. Once cool, add 1 tbsp sesame oil to stop the rice from sticking together when it’s added to the wok.
Meanwhile, prepare the cabbage leaves. Prepare a saucepan of hot water and a bowl of iced water. Blanch the cabbage leaves in the hot water until tender (less than a minute), then rinse, drain, plunge into the iced water and pat dry with kitchen paper. Set aside.
Place a wok over a high heat until smoking, and add the rapeseed oil. Once hot, add the garlic, ginger and chilli and stir-fry for 3 seconds, then add the carrot and turmeric and cook, tossing, for 10 seconds.
Add the tofu, broccoli and mushrooms and toss for a further 10 seconds. Now add the rice and start to break it down, but don’t stab at it and make it claggy.
Season with the tamari or light soy sauce and rice vinegar, pouring them evenly across the rice, followed by 1 tsp toasted sesame oil. Stir-fry for 2 minutes to mix the flavours. The rice should be quite ‘clean’ and golden in colour. Sprinkle over the spring onion and coriander.
To create the ‘money bags’, spoon some of the rice mixture into one of the cabbage leaves. Use a chive to tie it into a money bag shape. Repeat with the remaining cabbage leaves and rice, garnish with the micro herbs and flowers and serve immediately.
Mother’s Day is just a few days away, but there’s still time to pick up the perfect gift for the mother figure in your life.
Whether it’s dinner with family, her favourite perfume or a classic bouquet of flowers, there’s plenty to choose from at Fort Kinnaird.
A family meal
Sometimes the most special gifts are those that you can enjoy together.
Brunch is a great way to spend the day, especially if you’re looking for Mother’s Day ideas for what to do. Browse the menu at Frankie & Benny’s for a delicious pancake stack – or celebrate in style with a cocktail at Fridays.
It doesn’t take big gestures to show someone how much they mean to you, a small token to say ‘thanks’ is sometimes all that it takes.
You can’t go wrong with a bunch of Mother’s Day flowers or a new houseplant from M&S to brighten up their day. Don’t forget to visit Card Factory for a Mother’s Day card too.
A pampering present
Take the opportunity to restock their signature scent or treat them to a new fresh or floral fragrance for the spring/summer season at The Perfume Shop.
Boots also has a range of Mother’s Day gift sets to choose from, whether you’re after skincare, bath or beauty buys. Add a candle from Homesense to help them unwind with that at-home spa feeling.
For the ultimate cosy night in, treat them to a fresh set of pyjamas and a new pair of slippers from Next.
A mindful moment
Whether their happy place is in the gym, garden, or curled up on the sofa, there’s got something for everyone.
Check out the fitness range at JD Sports for everything from apparel to yoga mats. Shop seeds, bird houses, gloves and more for keen gardeners at Wilko. Or browse the bestselling books at Waterstones to help them have the perfect day doing what they love.
A special surprise
Surprising the mother figure in your life with an extra-special gift is sure to make them feel good on Mother’s Day and beyond.
Gift a little luxury with designer trainers or a coat from Tessuti. Or, treat them to a gorgeous set of earrings, or a Mother’s Day necklace from Goldsmiths or Beaverbrooks.
An everyday essential
Handbags, purses and wallets are a great Mother’s Day gift idea, and whatever their style, you’ll have no trouble finding ‘the one’ at River Island.
If you’re hoping to wow with an extra big ‘thank you’ this year, visit Tessuti for a range of designer options.
A sweet treat
If they have a serious sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with a box of chocolates from Hotel Chocolat – the Velvetiser is also a must-have for chocoholics!
For keen bakers or chefs, shop aprons, spatulas and pans galore at ProCook or treat them to a new cookbook from Nadiya Hussain or Jane’s Patisserie, packed with tasty cakes, bakes and treats.
A homemade treasure
Take the time to make a handmade gift and show just how much they mean to you.
Make a thoughtful Mother’s Day hamper by adding a keepsake to treasure – find a range of personalised Mother’s Day gifts from homeware to accessories at Next. Or print out a family photo at Boots with a pretty frame from Homesense.
For more information about planning a trip to Fort Kinnaird, please visit www.fortkinnaird.com.
