Events

The Book Group will meet again on Thursday 14th March 2024. New members welcome. Book your place here.  If you'd like to be kept informed of upcoming book group meetings, sign-up here to receive updates.

2023

Venue

New events coming soon!

2023

Venue

New events coming soon!

2023

Venue

New events coming soon!

2023

Venue

New events coming soon!

Monday 21st August '23, 7:00pm - 8:00pm 

Online via Zoom

The Guardian reported that climate activist Greta Thunberg has pulled out of an appearance at the Edinburgh book festival, accusing its lead sponsor of “greenwashing”.

Join us for a facilitated conversation online inspired by Greta Thunberg’s decision not to attend the sold-out Festival event that she was due to headline at Edinburgh’s Playhouse, as part of a series of “climate positive” events at this year’s festival.

Her decision came after Scotland’s investigative news site The Ferret claimed that festival sponsor Baillie Gifford had billions invested in firms that profit from fossil fuels.

Do you agree with Greta Thunberg’s decision?  

What challenges does greenwashing present?

What actions can we take to make a difference?

Book your FREE place here

Sunday 3rd September, 10:30am - 12.30pm

In St Andrews Botanic Garden you will find a living research and conservation experiment. Throughout the 18 acre garden you will see examples of some of Fife’s most dynamic habitats and plants from around the world, with research experiments investigating how plants compete, invade and support each other, and how communities assemble in response to their environment.  This gentle walk around the gardens will be led by Sandy Edwards, and followed by lunch somewhere in St Andrews for those who wish to stay on.  Hosted by Fife Humanists.

Book your place here.

 Monday 31st July, 7pm-8.30pm 

Online via Zoom

As members of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland we plan to participate in and support Make Polluters Pay Action Day on the 23rd September 2023. With possible involvement in a media stunt on 21st or 22nd September (details TBC). 

If you are interested in supporting a day of action, please join the Local Action Workshop online on 31st July to find-out more.

Actions will be taking place all across the U.K., hosted and co-ordinated by local community and campaigns groups. These will take many forms, including protests, demonstrations, and stalls.  

Make Polluters Pay is developing resources in order to support local groups to host effective actions, which includes information on loss and damage, things to consider for hosting actions, and getting in touch with their local MP, etc.

Eventbrite link to book your free place: https://rb.gy/b85uu 

#Ecohumanists #EnvironmentalAction #MakePollutersPay

Saturday 1st July 2023

Kirkcaldy 

Humanist Society Scotland members and supporters will have a presence on the march at Fife Pride on Saturday 1st July, and intend to assemble at 12.45pm, if anyone is interested in joining them please email fife@humanism.scot

#BeProudBeYou

Monday 26th June 

Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre

in Dumfries 

A rare screening of the 1997 sci-fi drama Contact, based on the novel by the late scientist, astronomer, and humanist Carl Sagan. The film tells the story of Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster), who, after years of searching, finds conclusive radio-proof of extra-terrestrial intelligence, sending plans for a mysterious machine.

Supported by Humanist Society Scotland and organised by Dumfries Humanists Group in partnership with the Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre, as part of a programme of events celebrating World Humanist Day.  

Saturday 24 June 2023

Teviot Row House

Scotland’s longest-running celebration of diversity, Pride Edinburgh ensures that the rainbow shines over the capital city.

Humanist Society Scotland is pleased to be hosting a stall at the Community, Charities and Business Fair from 1.30pm to 5pm staffed by friendly volunteers from our local groups, so pop over and say hello!

Thursday 22 June 2023

Green Shoots Community Garden, Glencruitten, Oban, PA34 4QB 

Argyll Humanists will be planting a fruit tree to celebrate World Humanist Day, followed by a picnic in the Green Shoots Community Garden. Anyone interested in humanism is very welcome to come along, and this event is open to anyone who shares our values. Please bring your own picnic food! Book here.

 21st June 2023

The Chaplaincy Centre, University of Dundee 

Expect an informative and engaging evening on the subject of humanism, and hear the latest updates on Humanist Society Scotland’s campaigning work from Chief Executive, Fraser Sutherland. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions, so come along and find out more. 

The presentation and Q&A will finish at around 8pm, and will be followed by informal networking with a finger buffet and refreshments.  Book here.

Sunday 18 June 2023

Starting at Museum of Scotland

 A geologically inspired walk led by Angus Miller, ending with a picnic in Holyrood Park. 

Saturday 17 June 2023

The Hidden Gardens, 25A Albert Dr, Glasgow G41 2PE, 12-5pm

Children aged 3-8 and their families are invited to the magical hidden gardens for a day of imaginary play, delicious food and discovering nature’s secrets! 

Bring a picnic and enjoy the gardens. 

Event activities include family workshops where you can create your own window-ledge planter, make a lavender pouch to put under your pillow, take a guided tour round the gardens, and share recipes and culinary creations.

Thursday 15th June 2023

7pm-9pm online  

A unique interactive games night designed to build empathy with climate migrants and encourage discussion around resilience. No experience or preparation is necessary. Players will be led through imaginative scenarios and can choose their responses and actions. Come along expecting to join in, the imaginative leg work is up to you! Expect a friendly, and thought-provoking evening. 

Monday 12th June 2023

6pm-9pm online 

Sign-up for our free online screening of the documentary film 'The Green Lie' and post-screening discussion, led by Isobel, one of our Young Humanist Scotland Ambassadors. In this tongue-in-cheek two-hander, Austrian director Werner Boote and German author Kathrin Hartmann meticulously unpick some of the most prevalent ‘greenwashing’ myths at play today. 

Thursday 11th May 2023, 4pm online 

Suitable for all our volunteers who handle data. This will be delivered online via Google Meet, and will last 1 hour. The session will be led by Mads Mitchell (our Head of Digital). We would like to ensure that we all follow good practice and are compliant with the law, and one of the best ways to find-out more about our responsibilities is to participate in this session. If you are interested please contact Lara.

Image credit: Convert GDPR

The Book Group will meet again on Thursday 29th June 2023. What should we read and discuss? We welcome your suggestions. New members welcome. If you'd like to be kept informed of upcoming book groups meetings, sign-up here to receive updates.

Summer Coffee Morning

DATE TBC July 2023

The invite and Google Meet joining link should be in your email inbox, otherwise contact Lara.

Tea, coffee and chat with other volunteers, and Lara, our Community Engagement Manager. Relaxed, informal opportunity to get to know each other better, 

Thursday 20th December 2022, 8pm online

All of our volunteers are very welcome to join us for a round of  "Human(ist) Bingo" - should be fun!  A relaxed, social evening for our volunteers to connect and get to know each other a bit better.  Should be fun!  You don't need to prepare anything, just have a sheet of paper and a pen/pencil to hand! The invite and Zoom joining link should be in your email inbox, otherwise contact Lara.

Image credit: Alba Rose Creations

Wednesday 7th September 2022, 7pm-8.30pm online 

Suitable for all our volunteers who handle data. This will be delivered online via Google Meet, and will last 1 hour. The session will be led by Mads Mitchell (our Head of Digital). We would like to ensure that we all follow good practice and are compliant with the law, and one of the best ways to find-out more about our responsibilities is to participate in this session. If you are interested please contact Lara.

Image credit: Convert GDPR

Fife Festivus 

Tuesday 13th December 2022, 7pm 

The Hive, 10 Whytescauseway, Kirkcaldy KY1 1XF  

The centre cafe will be open for hot and cold refreshments and snacks, but please bring along something savoury or sweet that could be shared among the group. 

The evening's entertainment will include a festive quiz, so for those intellectuals out there, and for the creative types, there will be an opportunity to perform a festive themed party piece - recite a poem, sing a song or tell a story. Any other ideas / suggestions are welcome.

December 2022 at Edinburgh's Melting Pot

Stories from the Adult Learning Project - with guest speaker Stan Reeves hosted by Edinburgh Humanists. 

December 2022

Shona, one our Celebrants and Local Group volunteers, also volunteers in a personal capacity as a non-religious pastoral care volunteer, here she is at Oban Pride's World Aids Day vigil.

Pictured: Phill Dexter, chair of Oban Pride, Debbie Lees from Waverley Care and Shona Sharp, Humanist Celebrant. 

Saturday 12th November 2022, 12noon St.Andrew's Square

In 2021, 100,000 people took to the streets of Glasgow whilst the city hosted the COP26 climate talks to call for climate justice. However, COP27 did not deliver the commitments needed to reduce emissions and increase finance for the most impacted communities, and we are now also facing a cost of living crisis due to our dependence on fossil fuels. 

In November 2022 world leaders will meet in Egypt for COP27 and Egyptian climate movements have called for a Global Day of Action for climate justice on Saturday 12th November, 12noon St.Andrew's Square. On this day people all over the world will come together to call for meaningful action and strong leadership at COP27, and in Scotland we will gather at St Andrew Square in Edinburgh and march a route chosen to go to specific locations that highlight different crises and the linked solutions. 

Please let the Community Engagement Manager know if you can attend this event, with advance notice we can provide T-shirts and placards to volunteers.

Saturday 12th November 2022 

at the Corran Hall

If you're in Oban that day, come along and say hello to volunteers on The Argyll Humanists stall. 

This interactive games night is designed to build empathy with Climate migrants and encourage discussion around resilience. Players will be led through imaginative scenarios and they can choose their responses and actions. Come along expecting to join in. It should be a fun, friendly, and thought-provoking evening. Hosted by the Fife group but open to all!

"It is one thing to say ‘Another World is Possible.’

It’s another to experience it, however momentarily"

Register for your FREE place here.

Thursday 29th September, 7pm - 8.30pm film screening online (89 minutes) 

Followed by a ten minute comfort break

Thursday 29th September, 8.40pm - 9.30pm post screening discussion online

Join our FREE online film screening of ‘This Changes Everything’, an inspiring documentary following seven different communities on the climate front lines showing the life changing problems they are now facing due to the environmental crisis. Naomi Klein’s impassioned narration is interwoven into these stories of struggle, presenting her take on the carbon in the air and the economic system that put it there. It asks the question, what if global warming isn’t only a crisis, what if it is the best chance we are ever going to get to build a better world? The film will be followed by a post-screening discussion led by Chelsea Szczypior, one of our Young Humanist Scotland Ambassadors, who has also been elected as a Trustee. All are welcome. 

This will be the first in a series of films that we will programme as part of our new Take One Action Film Club, designed to empower our community and increase creative, impactful action for a fairer and more sustainable world.

Saturday 17 September 2022, Kirkcaldy

Here’s a short report from Gordon on Fife Pride:

"The Humanist banner flew amongst all the Pride flags in Kirkcaldy. Alison, Alex, Gordon and Michael hosted a stall distributing information, literature, chat and bananas to those revellers who were interested, and to others who probably weren't. 

It was an extremely enjoyable, friendly, inclusive event, which we hope enhanced the profile of Humanism in Fife".

Wednesday 7th September 2022, 7pm-8.30pm online 

Suitable for all our volunteers who handle data. This will be delivered online via Google Meet, and will last 1 hour. The session will be led by Mads Mitchell (our Head of Digital). We would like to ensure that we all follow good practice and are compliant with the law, and one of the best ways to find-out more about our responsibilities is to participate in this session. If you are interested please contact Lara.

Image credit: Convert GDPR

The AGM of Humanist Society Scotland will be held on Tuesday 2nd August 2022 at 5:30pm online

This meeting will approve the result of a trustee election and vote to reappoint our auditors for the 2022 accounting period as well as the presentation of the 2021 annual report and accounts.

If you are a member please check your email inbox for more details, and use the online portal to submit your vote on the election of trustees and auditor resolution.

Monday 18th July 2022 in Portobello

Thanks to all the volunteers that made it along to the 'Costa del Porty' for a catch-up and a belated thank you for everyone's contribution over the years.

Saturday 25th June 2022

Bristo Square, Teviot building, Edinburgh

This Community Fair takes place annually as part of the Pride Festival and brings together up to 50 Stalls from Organisations, Charities, Services and many partners and sponsors. A unique opportunity to engage directly with Pride Goers and support our diverse LGBTQI+ Community of Edinburgh and beyond. The stall was staffed by volunteers from the Edinburgh and Fife Group.

June 2022 in Glasgow

A lovely opportunity for StreetCare Glasgow volunteers to get together, and celebrate World Humanist Day together!

June 2022

18th June 2022 

Edinburgh (meeting at museum)

19th June 2022 at 7pm

19th June 2022  Edinburgh

Friday 3rd June 2022 at 10pm in Glasgow, G2 

Join Young Humanists (ages 18 - 35 years old only) from around the world for  this International GAMES NIGHT 3.0. Organised as a side-event during the 2022 General Assembly. This was the first time that Games Night happened face-to-face since its inception last year!

An exciting opportunity to celebrate the milestones young humanists worldwide have achieved over the years with some fun and games, and to foster a more connected and engaged young humanist community. The first drink is included too! Thanks to Rylee, one of our Young Humanist Scotland Ambassadors for representing us.

Saturday 4th June 2022 

10am to 4pm

Sir Charles Wilson Building, University of Glasgow 

Humanist Society Scotland is delighted to invite you to the International Humanist Conference 2022 in Glasgow. 

This will be the first time we have hosted an international humanist event since we were established in 1989. We also have a  limited number of FREE places allocated to volunteers, please contact Lara if you'd like to take advantage of this.

Book Here

Between 18th - 26th June 2022

World Humanist Day is celebrated every year on the 21st June and we’ve been celebrating it since the 1980s. It’s an opportunity for humanists all around the world to publicise and celebrate the positive values of humanism and to share the global concerns of the humanist movement.

This year Humanist Society Scotland was delighted to sponsor and support a number of events across Scotland, including a week of Acts of Kindness Crafts in Forfar and Kirriemuir; a guided geo-walk in the footsteps of one of Edinburgh's great philosophers and thinkers, James Hutton followed by a picnic in Holyrood Park; an enlightenment themed walk followed by a picnic on Edinburgh’s Calton Hill hosted by Edinburgh Humanists; a book group discussion on Peter Cave’s new edition of ‘Humanism’ at Typewronger Books; a free screening of ‘C’mon, C’mon’ at the Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre in Dumfries hosted by Dumfries and Galloway Humanists; a Picnic in Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy hosted by Fife Humanists; a free screening of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' at Oban Pheonix Cinema followed by tea and coffee in the Argyll Wellbeing Hub hosted by Argyll Humanists; and an art project “Sunflower Streets” working with a local community, and people who have experienced homelessness or addictions through the charity Rowan Alba, including a workshop at the National Portrait Gallery led by artist Sam Rutherford.

Tuesday 17th May 2022, 7pm online

All of our volunteers are very welcome to join us for a round of  "Human(ist) Bingo" - should be fun!  A relaxed, social evening for our volunteers to connect and get to know each other a bit better.  Should be fun!  You don't need to prepare anything, just have a sheet of paper and a pen/pencil to hand! The invite and Zoom joining link should be in your email inbox, otherwise contact Lara.

Image credit: Alba Rose Creations

Monday 7th March 2022, 4pm-5pm online via Google Meet

Suitable for all our volunteers who handle data. This will be delivered online via Google Meet, and will last 1 hour. The session will be led by Mads Mitchell (our Head of Digital). We would like to ensure that we all follow good practice and are compliant with the law, and one of the best ways to find-out more about our responsibilities is to participate in this session. If you are interested please contact Lara.

Image credit: Convert GDPR

Tuesday 1st February 2022, 6.30pm-7.30pm

All of our volunteers are very welcome to join us for a round of  "Human Bingo" - should be fun!  We've never tried it online before, so this will be a bit of an experiment! The invite and Zoom joining link should be in your email inbox, otherwise contact Lara.

Thursday 13th January 2022, 7pm-9pm 

(FREE, but registration required). 

A rousing documentary immersing viewers in the moving, personal journeys of seven grassroots campaigners from around the world as they attempt to harness the only force that can prevent catastrophic climate change: the will of the people.

From decreasing biodiversity to indigenous land rights abuses, Not Without Us connects the dots between growing economic inequality, fossil fuel driven economies and government inaction in the face of the greatest crisis engulfing our planet. Putting frontline communities’ perspectives at its centre, it powerfully conveys their call for deep, far-reaching system change. Watch the trailer here.  

With opportunity to chat to other volunteers and supporters in the post-screening discussion. Register for your FREE place here and visit our Facebook event page.

Saturday 11th December 2021 online

The first Games Night was a lot of fun. Young humanists from around the world enjoyed each other’s company with a few drinks and some games. Register for your free place here.

Monday 13th December 2021, 6pm-8pm at the Outhouse 

EVENT POSTPONED DUE TO COVID

Friday 26th November 2021 

At Royal Society Edinburgh

10am - 2pm including lunch and a social opportunity

This symposium will focus solely on the legalisation of assisted dying in Scotland. Discover what humanist supporters of assisted dying for legally competent, terminally ill adults can do to support the bill.

Expect a range of experts who will talk about all aspects of the bill from the legal and the medical, to the political and the personal. Liam McArthur MSP, who has brought the bill before the parliament, will be speaking.

We are delighted to offer a member ticket price of £10, book your space now!

We also have a  limited number of FREE places allocated to volunteers, please contact Lara if you'd like to take advantage of this.

14th November 2021

This year we have Celebrants laying wreaths on behalf of Humanist Society Scotland in Dumfries, Doune, Edinburgh, Gartmore, Hawick, Latheron, Monifieth and Wick. 

The biggest event being the one at Edinburgh's City Chambers, where Humanist Celebrant Robbie Sharpe will lay a wreath on behalf of Humanist Society Scotland to the rear of the Stone of Remembrance.  This is followed by a Morning Service in St Giles Cathedral, and the Legion Scotland’s annual commemoration parade. 

Saturday 6th November 2021 in Glasgow

Join Humanists from Scotland, the rest of the UK and from across the globe as part of the COP26 Day of Action on.

We meet in Kelvingrove Park from 11.30am before the march will start at 12:45pm to Glasgow Green. A rally will be held at Glasgow Green at 3pm where the eyes of the world will be on Glasgow.

Humanist Society Scotland will provide a few banners although please feel free to bring along your own home made signs.

Following this members of the humanist group are invited to join a free buffet in a local pub and hear from some of the COP26 negotiation participants representing humanists.

Friends/family welcome but please register on our website so we can share details of the meeting point and details of the venue for food afterwards. 

Thursday 23rd September 2021 

Unlike other games, this game was not played against each other, but with one another.  We weren't able to choose the cards we were dealt with, but we could choose how to play them. 

We joined in imagining the future, finding creative solutions, experiencing unexpected shifting circumstances and finding strength in solidarity with our fellow players.

This interactive games night was designed to build empathy with Climate migrants and to encourage discussion around resilience. Players were led through imaginative scenarios and could choose their responses and actions.

It was a fun, friendly, and thought-provoking evening.

"It is one thing to say ‘Another World is Possible.’

It’s another to experience it, however momentarily"

day th Month 2021, details TBC

day th Month 2021, details TBC