Main focus of Scotland Branch
While we are a local Branch of the UK Section, we work in a very different and much more progressive political environment with Scotland’s Government. We have members who are Parliamentarians. Even without the constitutional crisis that may require us to apply to become a Scottish Sections, we produce briefings and advice on the feminist approach to peace and freedom to the Scottish Parliament and Government. The modern Scottish WILPF Branch was established in 2009. We engage in grassroots activism on issues such as disarmament, anti-militarism, human rights, climate justice, equality, gender, and peace. Our mission is to end and prevent war; ensure that women are represented at all levels in peace-building processes; defend human rights; and promote social, economic, and political justice.
Scotland’s Chrystal Macmillan (13 June 1872 – 21 September 1937) was one of the founders of WILPF and played a leading role in organising the 1915 founding International Congress of Women. As a feminist, peace activist and barrister, she campaigned all her life for women to have full citizenship rights.
Key local issues
According to a report from Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) Scotland – “Made in Scotland – The deadly relationship fuelling the crisis in Yemen” – there are 16 arms manufacturers operating in Scotland. Some are large multinational companies, including Rolls Royce, BAE Systems, Thales, Leonardo and Raytheon, while some are smaller and more local. Furthermore, the UK’s nuclear weapons system and submarines are based in the Firth of Clyde at Faslane and the adjacent bomb store at Coulport. This is the site of long-running peace camp demonstrations and non-violent direct action as all of the UK’s 200 nuclear warheads are deployed from Scotland. Spanish fossil fuel giant Ineos has operated the refinery at Grangemouth on the Firth of Forth for just under 20 years, but in November 2023 announced the refinery closure from mid-2025. Shell UK and Exxon Mobile jointly operate a fossil fuel plastics plant at Mossmorran in Fife. Both sites have seen fossil fuel protests over the years from Scottish WILPF members and others. The Scottish government is consulting on a human rights bill for Scotland and a feminist approach to foreign policy, and we have been able to influence on both issues.
Partnerships and collaborations
We have connections with academic departments on Women, Peace and Security at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Strathclyde, as well as organisations such as Engender, Glasgow Women’s Library and Soroptimist International and Women for Indy.
We work closely with Secure Scotland, Scottish Parliament Nuclear Disarmament CPG, Scottish CND, UN House Scotland, ICAN, and Trident Ploughshares.
Weekly events
More information coming soon!
Branch news
Local Branch meetings
We host regular meetings which take place face to face or virtually via Zoom and are open to all women. The core Scottish WILPF team meets every Wednesday morning at 8.30am.
We are based in Edinburgh (“Words & Actions” at 58 Ratcliffe Terrace) where we organise actions and projects locally, throughout Scotland and at an international level as our network grows.
Contact details
Janet Fenton and Fiona McOwan, Branch Co-Convenors and representatives on WILPF UK’s Executive Committee
Aine Beattie, Branch Secretary
Kate Arnott, Branch Treasurer
Enquirers based in Scotland are welcome to get in touch and arrange to have an informal chat with one of the core group before deciding to join.
All can be reached by email wilpfscotbranch@gmail.com
