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

This image shows the meeting house at Sussex University in England, the first university meeting place whose appointed religious representative is a humanist. It is a large cylindrical building with an alternating pattern of concrete blocks and square coloured-glass panels that let in light. I has a green, conical roof.

Humanist Society contributes to new Faith and Belief Engagement Strategy

Humanist Society contributes to new Faith and Belief Engagement Strategy
The text "Foillseachadh Amsterdam 2022" ("The Amsterdam Declaration 2022") in white against a background image showing a canal-side scene in Amsterdam at night.

Humanist celebrant John Howieson on his Gaelic translation of the Amsterdam Declaration

Humanist celebrant John Howieson on his Gaelic translation of the Amsterdam Declaration
Humza Yousaf stands in a blue suit in front of a balcony with an internal courtyard space and circular windows beyond.

Humza Yousaf responds to our open letter to SNP leadership candidates

Humza Yousaf responds to our open letter to SNP leadership candidates
Fraser Sutherland stands in a children's playground, behind the steps up to a slide. He looks down at the camera which is positioned quite low down. He is holding a white book. In the background is a row of houses and a blue sky with clouds.

Our CEO talks religion and politics in The Herald

Our CEO talks religion and politics in The Herald
A portrait shot of Lucy Grieve. She wears a black top, has shoulder length brown hair, and smiles at the camera.

Humanist Society Scotland interviews: Lucy Grieve, co-founder of Back Off Scotland, on fighting for safe access to abortion services

Humanist Society Scotland interviews: Lucy Grieve, co-founder of Back Off Scotland, on fighting for safe access to abortion services
The famous concrete hippos public artwork in Glenrothes, Fife, home of Fife council.

Humanist Society backs removing religious voting rights from Fife education committee

Humanist Society backs removing religious voting rights from Fife education committee
Parliamentary portraits of Kate Forbes, Humza Yousaf, and Ash Regan arranged from left to right.

We write to SNP leadership candidates to gauge support on key humanist causes

We write to SNP leadership candidates to gauge support on key humanist causes
A picture of Kate Forbes wearing a red jacket and flowered dress in an interior with circular windows in the background.

Humanist Society comments on Kate Forbes’s links to evangelical charities in Third Force News

Humanist Society comments on Kate Forbes’s links to evangelical charities in Third Force News
Fraser Sutherland, wearing a blue suit, addresses a crowd infront of a banner reading "Humanist Society Scotland".

Our CEO talks Kate Forbes, faith, and policy-making on BBC Radio Scotland

Our CEO talks Kate Forbes, faith, and policy-making on BBC Radio Scotland
Humanist Society Scotland Logo

Secure your wedding date

Secure your permanently authorised and fully trained Humanist celebrant today

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

Thursday 20th April

7:30pm – 8:30pm

Book Group Meeting: ‘The Inevitable: Dispatches on the Right to Die’ by Katie Engelhart

New members are always welcome! We don’t charge for participation, but you do need to register in advance.

Sign up to our newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list and we’ll send you updates about campaigns, events and any other news from the Society

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

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
Outdoor setting set up for wedding ceremony with white chairs for guests creating an aisle

Choosing a more eco-friendly venue

Choosing a more eco-friendly venue
Outdoor barn style venue decorated with reclaimed barrels and lights

DIY decor

DIY decor
Fresh local produce including potatoes and tomatoes in a brown recyclable paper bag

Fair food and drink

Fair food and drink
Colourful wild flowers

How to buy sustainable flowers

How to buy sustainable flowers
"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.