The vagaries of kids in Scottish pubs, and how to get it solved

[EdinburghBloke]

This matter is really starting to get my goat..Went into a pub down the road here in Edinburgh earlier this afternoon with my Daughter, only to be presented with the Scottish version of Russian (kids in the pub) Roulette,

After ordering the drinks the barman saw my Daughter and I was asked her age (4) I was then advised that "only kids over 5 year old are allowed in the pub..(no not even outside?), "its the licensing law" ...What is it with these stupid bastards, and the way that this VERY Mysterious licensing i.e the one that vary's from pub to pub..with varying equally ludicrous conditions...

This is realy annoying, it's the 21st Century, pubs are closing left right and centre and these dinosaurs wonder why?, The future is proper Family friendly pubs....the model is Europe...where we can happily take the whole family into any bar (without all this bowing and scraping nonsense) and stay there as long as you like without ANY of this shite.

Is there some way of mounting a campaign, petition (groans) or get to talk to someone who can just overturn this anachronistic, load of tosh so that we can enjoy a quiet drink with our children, without all this utter Stalinist bollix?

Ds is 10 and i have never been refused in a family friendly pub with him at any age, but to be fair never took him to a proper beer house pubs often as I don't think they are generally unsuitable (lots of adult language even when kids are present). What type of pub was it?

It varies from pub to pub, because the licensees have to decide what they apply for. Generally, to admit under 5s, they'd need to have high chairs, baby food heating facilities and a baby changing. So many smaller premises don't apply for the license for under 5s.

Having lived in various European cities, the difference is that children there are generally running about in the "square" or other outside space, while the parents enjoy a drink. Unfortunately, we don't have the right climate, so the children I'm our (scottish) pubs are generally bored and fractious, waiting for their parents to finish their drink. That's why I don't go into "family friendly" pubs here.