20 years of humanist marriage: interview with celebrant Ivan Middleton
June 19, 2025
In this special instalment of our celebrant interview series to mark 20 years of humanist marriage we speak to Ivan Middleton. Ivan, now retired, was a celebrant and Secretary of Humanist Society Scotland. He made history, delivering the very first legal humanist wedding ceremony in Scotland for couple Karen and Martin. Ivan tells us about this experience, reflecting on the campaign and growth of humanist weddings over the last 20 years.
Hello Ivan! Can you tell us a bit about your journey towards humanism and Humanist Society Scotland?
Almost 83 years ago I was born in Holywood, Northern Ireland. I was brought up as a Unitarian. In Northern Ireland everyone at that time was daily made aware of religious differences and the importance placed on these. So, by 1962 I had discovered Humanism and become a member in Belfast.
Following a move to Scotland in 1970 to further a career in social work, I joined the Edinburgh Group of the Humanist Society Scotland.
By 1997 I had achieved early retirement. I had chaired the Edinburgh Group for more than 10 years.
You played an important role in the campaign for legalising humanist weddings in Scotland. How did the campaign start?
When I became Secretary of Humanist Society Scotland I became aware of an increasing interest in non religious ceremonies. In Edinburgh the local Unitarian Minister, a very caring and inclusive man, Rev Andrew Hill had drawn to our attention that he and his Office Bearers were increasingly responding to this demand. We therefore agreed that six of us should attend a training course he designed for us.
Around 2000 I informed the Humanist Society Scotland Committee that I would be happy to join the growing number of celebrants.
Funerals were the main ceremonies in demand and so that’s what I mostly did. There was though a growing demand for humanist weddings. I recall how we had to explain to interested couples that they would need to have a ‘legal’ registrar ceremony before having their own meaningful humanist ceremony. Only a small percentage of couples were deterred.
Earlier, in the 1900’s, the then Secretary had approached the Registrar General with a view to allowing humanists to conduct legal marriages. I recall a very dusty response from the serving Registrar. So far as Humanist Society Scotland membership was concerned I remember there being a target of ‘1000 Members by 2000.’
We decided to try to establish dialogue with the Registrar General which got underway with reasonable co-operation. Meantime, a decision was made which meant Registrars were empowered to conduct marriages beyond their own offices. This was in restricted venues which had to meet various building requirements.
Understandably this change which more than doubled their numbers of weddings led to a pause in our meetings. As an aside, I was intrigued and successfully applied to become a “zero hours” Registrar conducting over one hundred legal marriages during this time.
When meetings resumed the Registrar General told us he had been persuaded that the Human Rights Act allowed him to authorise humanist marriages. He had already sounded out religious leaders and politicians and had found general acceptance.
He then wrote to confirm that humanist celebrants could conduct legal marriages in Scotland from June 2005 onwards! My next wedding was due on 18 June prior to any other bookings. I was very enthusiastic about delivering the first humanist marriage not only in Scotland but I believe the Northern Hemisphere!
When meetings resumed the Registrar General told us he had been persuaded that the Human Rights Act allowed him to authorise humanist marriages
Can you tell us a bit about Karen and Martin’s ceremony?
Karen and Martin were as excited as I was and were wonderfully accommodating about our intrusion to their personal marriage. I recall they were in our house discussing plans and Channel 4 turned up to film them. I had to leave to conduct a funeral and on my return found Martin using our ironing board in a staged shot supposedly ironing his wedding shirt!
The marriage went well with parts translated into Dutch. We tried to limit press intrusion as much as possible leaving the happy couple to enjoy their moments in peace. I recall answering press requests which followed from all over the world!
It has been a delight and huge privilege to have played a part in this successful innovation. I am pleased to see the enormous growth due to our ability to respond to the demand in Scotland.
How did things grow from there after this change in Scottish marriage law?
After the change in marriage law this led to gradually burgeoning demand. We were initially allowed to nominate 12 celebrants. They were chosen on a geographical and productivity basis with Edinburgh and Glasgow getting four each.
Fairly soon after Andrew Clarkson, Chief Executive of British Humanists Association invited me to Westminster to address the Cross Party Humanist Group about our Scottish success. However the triumvirate of the Church of England, their Registrar General and the ruling Conservative Party have prevented this from happening. In Scotland the Registrar General had the power to authorise a person from a recognised group. However, in England and Wales the authorisation was of a building (Church etc). Unfortunately this requires legislation and the Conservatives had got a bad time from their supporters and did not want to introduce any marriage related legislation.
Over the years I conducted several ceremonies for eloping couples on cliff tops, private clubs and a holiday cottage. On one day due to demand I conducted three marriages!
Are there any memories that were particularly special for you as a humanist wedding celebrant?
It has been a delight and huge privilege to have played a part in this successful innovation. I am pleased to see the enormous growth due to our ability to respond to the demand in Scotland.
Perhaps one of my best memories is at last being able to legally marry my third son and his partner. They had their ceremony near an East Lothian beach!
Photo credits: Ron Shearer
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