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

A dancing blue figure, the Humanist Society Scotland logo graphic.

Humanist Society calls for ceasefire in Gaza

Humanist Society calls for ceasefire in Gaza
The palace of Westminster, with its intricately wrought towers and spires, viewed from the ground close by.

Humanist Society condemns UK government response to supreme court ruling on Rwanda

Humanist Society condemns UK government response to supreme court ruling on Rwanda
An image of an old fashioned, 19th century stone school house across a road with a sign in the foreground pointing to North Berwick.

Humanist Society has its say on fair school votes for East Lothian

Humanist Society has its say on fair school votes for East Lothian
Dave Brackenridge, wearing a black jumper with a microphone in his hand and lectern infront of him, evangelises to an audience live on YouTube.

Humanist Society comments on links between evangelical pastor and charity working in primary schools

Humanist Society comments on links between evangelical pastor and charity working in primary schools
Aerial shot of a large group attending a remembrance event, standing in a circle round a memorial, in Wick.

Humanist Society interview series: celebrant Linda Smith on humanist remembrance

Humanist Society interview series: celebrant Linda Smith on humanist remembrance
A golden sunset over the water on the Isle of Man.

Humanist Society welcomes vote in favour of assisted dying on Isle of Man

Humanist Society welcomes vote in favour of assisted dying on Isle of Man
Jennifer Buchan delivers our opening thoughts at the conference. She has blonde hair and a red shawl and stands at a podium.

Humanist Society Conference 2023: chair’s opening speech

Humanist Society Conference 2023: chair’s opening speech
Clarke, Isioma Okolo, Gemma Clark, Lucy Grieve, Gillian Mackay, Jennifer Buchan.

Joy, anger, and hope: a report on Humanist Society Conference 2023, The Future of Reproductive Rights in Scotland

Joy, anger, and hope: a report on Humanist Society Conference 2023, The Future of Reproductive Rights in Scotland

Humanist Society interview series: Becky Kenton-Lake on Stop Climate Chaos Scotland’s new climate manifesto.

Humanist Society interview series: Becky Kenton-Lake on Stop Climate Chaos Scotland’s new climate manifesto.
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

Wednesday 10th January

7:00pm – 8:00pm

Assisted dying: Scotland’s next liberal reform?

Hosted by Dundee Humanists, with guest speaker Liam McArthur MSP. Join us for a conversation on Assisted Dying.

Thursday 18th January

7:30pm – 8:30pm

Book group meeting: ‘Fingers in the Sparkle Jar’ by Chris Packam

The memoir that inspired Chris Packham’s BBC documentary, Asperger’s and Me. Join the conversation. 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

A close up of Mia and Paul with a scenic backdrop of the Skye hills behind them. They both smile widely. Mia wears a flower crown and fur coat. Paul wears a navy suit.

Fairytale in Skye

Fairytale in Skye
Two grooms kissing at their wedding with celebrant celebrating.

Real wedding: Laughter at Lochnell  

Real wedding: Laughter at Lochnell  
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…
"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.