Home - Humanist Society of Scotland

Welcome to our website!

If this is your first visit I hope that you will enjoy sharing the philosophy of Humanism with those of us who have, for many years, promoted a secular and responsible way of life. If you are a regular, welcome back and thank you!

Humanism is an ethical way of life that comes from within all of us, which extends to all people, irrespective of their chosen life styles or personal decisions and views, that most fundamental of welcomes which assures them of fairness, compassion and tolerance.

There is today, more than ever, a call for non-religious ceremonies. Funerals, weddings (now legal of course) and naming ceremonies now number in their thousands. The personal and caring approach our nationwide team of Celebrants offers a fresh and very much appreciated service and is of great support to families to help them in their grief and indeed celebration!

Should you decide to join, I hope you will enjoy our quarterly magazine, and perhaps consider greater participation in the organisation in the future.

John Lennon wrote,

“You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one,
I hope some day you’ll join us
And the world will live as one.”

Peace and best wishes,
Jim Petherick
National Convenor, Humanist Society of Scotland.

Weddings & Partnership Ceremonies

Weddings up 64%" is probably the most unlikely headline of the year, but add one word and it's completely true.

That word is "humanist". Julian Baggini, The Herald 22 July 2008

Scotland is one of only six countries in the world where Humanist marriage ceremonies are legal (the others are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and certain states of the USA). Humanist weddings have the same legal status as civil and religious weddings as long as they are conducted by an HSS Celebrant, who has been authorized by the Registrar General of Scotland, and can take place anywhere 'safe and dignified'.

Couples are effectively free to marry wherever they choose and HSS wedding ceremonies have taken place on beaches and mountains, in keeps and castles, grand hotels and the gardens of people's own homes.

Each Humanist wedding ceremony is unique, dignified and deeply personal. Humanists look on marriage as an equal partnership and a serious commitment that involves mutual love, support and respect and a humanist ceremony is a time when couples can declare all that they feel for each other in a way that feels right for them.

The couple is free to make all the important choices about location, readings, music and the wording of their promises to each other.