Flowers held in hanging decorations made from lightbulbs

Humanist Society Scotland

Scotland’s national humanist charity.

Our work has helped to make Scotland a more secular, rational, and socially just country, and to ensure everyone in Scotland has access to humanist ceremonies to mark important life events.

Latest News

Humza Yousaf and Michael Matheson sit in a circle of people on chairs having a discussion. Humza wears a suit and Michael wears a shirt and tie.

Large majority of religious people in Scotland support assisted dying, new poll shows

Large majority of religious people in Scotland support assisted dying, new poll shows
The Edinburgh skyline in black and white, with spires and classical columns rising up.

New poll shows disabled people in Scotland overwhelmingly support assisted dying

New poll shows disabled people in Scotland overwhelmingly support assisted dying

No higher power has the right to dictate the terms of our death

No higher power has the right to dictate the terms of our death
Maureen Kettle smiles at the camera in a pub or restaurant type setting. She has a blonde bob of hair and black glasses and wears a dark blue cardigan and light blue shirt.

Humanist Society interview series: celebrant Maureen Kettle on making lasting memories with a humanist naming ceremony

Humanist Society interview series: celebrant Maureen Kettle on making lasting memories with a humanist naming ceremony
The Danish Parliament building at Christiansborg, with multi-storey stone wings and a central spire.

Our CEO talks Danish blasphemy laws on BBC Scotland

Our CEO talks Danish blasphemy laws on BBC Scotland
A view of Edinburgh City Chambers, a set of neoclassical stone buildings forming a courtyard with archways in front.

Edinburgh Council removes voting rights from religious reps on education committee

Edinburgh Council removes voting rights from religious reps on education committee
Two people in waterproof jackets (one red, one blue) smile at each other as they hold plants in clumps of soil on a flat grassy Scottish landscape with hills in the background.

Humanist Society interview series: Thomas Widrow of the John Muir Trust on why Scotland needs a Carbon Emissions Land Tax

Humanist Society interview series: Thomas Widrow of the John Muir Trust on why Scotland needs a Carbon Emissions Land Tax
Fraser in conversation with Wonderful from Humanists Malawi. Wonderful has his arms folded and makes a point with his right hand. He has short black hair and glasses and wears a black jacket. Fraser listens and looks at Wonderful. He has glasses and short brown hair and wears a blue suit with pale blue shirt and no tie.

Building Bridges, Building Democracies: A Report from the World Humanist Congress 2023

Building Bridges, Building Democracies: A Report from the World Humanist Congress 2023
James Calder smiles at the camera. He has short strawberry blond hair and wears a matt pink shirt with no tie and a grey suit jacket. He is standing in front of a hedge.

Humanist Society interview series: James Calder, Fife councillor for fair school votes

Humanist Society interview series: James Calder, Fife councillor for fair school votes
Humanist Society Scotland Logo

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Humanist Society Scotland members march at COP 26

What is Humanism?

Humanism is a non-religious approach to living an ethical life that is based on reason, compassion, and tolerance. Humanists use science and rational inquiry to try to explain the universe, and reject supernatural explanations. Humanism is a democratic belief system that values all humans equally. It places the happiness and flourishing of all humans at its centre, and encourages cooperation towards this shared common goal

Two male adults and three children waving and celebrating

Find your celebrant!

Start looking for a celebrant to conduct your humanist ceremony in Scotland.

Events

Friday 27th October

9:30am – 5:00pm

Humanist Society Conference 2023: The Future of Reproductive Rights in Scotland

Humanist Society Conference 2023: The Future of Reproductive Rights in Scotland

Sunday 8th October

1:45pm – 3:00pm

Putting the Meta into Metastasis …

… how Facebook facilitates the viral spread of cancer misinformation. Hosted by Glasgow Humanists. Join us for an express tour of Facebook-fuelled quackery, conspiracism, grifting, and misplaced goodwill, with guest speaker Brian Eggo of the Glasgow Skeptics.

Monday 9th October

7:00pm – 8:00pm

My trans journey and how best to respect me

Hosted by Dundee Humanists. Ethan Muir will talk about his trans journey and how best to respect him.

Thursday 26th October

7:30pm – 8:30pm

Book group meeting: ‘Girl, Woman, Other’ by Bernardine Evaristo

Girl, Woman, Other follows a cast of twelve characters on their personal journeys through this country and the last hundred years. They’re each looking for something – a shared past, an unexpected future, a place to call home, somewhere to fit in, a lover, a missed mother, a lost father, even just a touch of hope … 

Sunday 12th November

1:45pm – 3:00pm

Wellbeing and wellness

Hosted by Glasgow Humanists. Guest speaker Vicky from The Wee Retreat CIC will talk about the work of the wellness organisation she set up, and the services it has to offer for the wellbeing of all.

Monday 13th November

7:00pm – 8:00pm

Recovering from Religion

Chris, a volunteer with Recovering from Religion will talk about what they do and how they help people who have questions about changing or leaving their faith. Hosted by Dundee Humanists.

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Flowers held in hanging decorations made from lightbulbs

Secure Your Date

If you know your wedding date, secure it now!

You can book just the date and find your celebrant later, book the date and have us find you an available celebrant, or book the date and your chosen celebrant now

Ceremonies Blog

Bride & groom outdoors embracing while looking at the camera

Real wedding: First love

Real wedding: First love
Bride & groom joining hands above their head

Real wedding: Love across the miles

Real wedding: Love across the miles
Bride & groom seated surrounded by their five dogs

Real wedding: Paws for love

Real wedding: Paws for love
Bride Kathryn & groom Colin surrounded by their guests in Oran Mor's auditorium

Real wedding: T in the Park…

Real wedding: T in the Park…
Charlotte & Jack exiting the church, as their guests throw confetti

Real wedding: Camaraderie…

Real wedding: Camaraderie…
Photo of Andrew & Callum after they're married, taken in the grounds of Enterkine House

Real wedding: Love is love…

Real wedding: Love is love…
Holding a handmade gift wrapped in brown paper and string and decorated with dried flowers

Are wedding favours still a thing?

Are wedding favours still a thing?
Biodegradable invitation with biodegradable envelope and sustainable decorations

Biodegradable stationery

Biodegradable stationery
"The time is now"

Assisted Dying campaign

We have long campaigned for compassionate choice at the end of life, and we are currently supporting the proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. The Bill was created with our support alongside our coalition partners Dignity in Dying Scotland, and Friends at the End, and is being  taken forward by Liam McArthur MSP.

Education resources

We provide a range of resources for children and young people on humanism that can be supplied to teachers, students, and parents free of charge.