Where it all started 

Starting with a handful of staff and volunteers working out of a shoebox office in Edinburgh, Scottish Refugee Council was formed in 1985. The charity was set up in response to the growing need to support people fleeing the humanitarian crisis in Vietnam.  

Our work did not stop there. As Scotland opened its doors to people seeking protection from persecution and violent conflicts all over the world, our organisation grew quickly. In the first few years, we supported hundreds of people displaced from Bosnia and Kosovo.  

In 1999, when Glasgow signed up to the UK dispersal scheme to welcome people seeking asylum from all over the world, we moved our headquarters to Scotland’s biggest city. During this time, we worked with people seeking protection from Iran and Iraq, Somalia, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and many other parts of the world. 

Read more about the past 40 years of refugees in Scotland.

Since then, we have continued to help people fleeing the war in Syria, the invasion of Ukraine, ongoing conflicts in Sudan, violently repressive regimes such as Iran and Eritrea, the collapse of government in Afghanistan, and many other countries where human rights violations are commonplace. 

Today we operate Scotland-wide. Our HQ remains in Glasgow, but our team of staff and volunteers work across all of Scotland to offer advice and support to refugees, wherever they are, and connect communities all over the country. 

The last four decades have seen major changes in Scotland as refugee communities from so many different backgrounds have arrived and settled here, raising families, opening businesses, bringing new languages and cultural riches and making Scotland a more diverse and dynamic place. 

While we welcome and celebrate this, it is always with the awareness that people have been forced to seek safety here as a result of violence and instability at home, and that this comes with a huge legacy of trauma and loss.

Looking ahead, we hope for a future where we are needed much less than we are now. Until that time comes, we will continue to help build a welcoming society that helps refugees in Scotland – and we hope that you will join us in supporting this vital work. 

Support us 

Without the generosity of supporters across Scotland and beyond, our work would not be possible. Whether you have run a marathon (or even half of one) in our name, laughed with us at one of our No Borders comedy nights or answered a call for donations, your support keeps us going and growing.  

Even in increasingly challenging times, our recent winter appeal raised £20,772 – which is a credit to our supporters’ continued commitment to help people seeking protection rebuild their lives, and to shape a welcoming Scotland with refugees. 

Our fundraising team has got some very exciting plans this year, including special events that we’re keeping under wraps for now. To be the first in the know, sign up to our newsletter.  

💃 Our Spring ceilidh is perfect to blow away the winter cobwebs and support people seeking safety in Scotland. Get your tickets here.  

Refugee Festival Scotland 

We’re not the only ones with a big birthday coming up. Refugee Festival Scotland, our annual celebration of art, culture and community, is turning 25! Fittingly, this year’s theme is milestones.  

We’d love for you to join us from June 13th to 22nd, so look out for the full festival programme launching this spring. Sign up here for the latest announcements. 

🎨 Want to take part in this year’s festival? Find out how to submit your event and learn more about our funding opportunities. We are also recruiting a programme fellow.

Our history

Read our timeline to find out more about our work and the history of refugees in Scotland over the past 40 years.

Have your own memories or stories about Scottish Refugee Council? Take part in our digital scrapbook.