Resources

Here are some useful links, as well as our FAQs.

You’ll also find information about and links to the Edinburgh and Glasgow Suomi-koulut (Finnish Schools) for families.

Useful links

The Society’s FB page

The Society on Twitter

FB Group: Finns in Scotland

West of Scotland Finns

Finnish Scottish Society (in Finland)

Official

The Embassy of Finland

Honorary Consulate of Finland – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen

Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce

Suomi-Seura

Ulkosuomalaisparlamentti The Finnish Expatriate Parliament

Other societies & organisations

Finland & UK

Anglo-Finnish Society

Finnish Institute UK & Ireland

Finnbrit

Iso-Britannian Suomalainen Opiskelijayhdistys ISO ry

Scottish-Nordic

Danish-Scottish Society

Scottish-Swedish Society

Norwegian-Scottish Association

Finnish food sources

ScandiKitchen (London and online)

suomikauppa.fi (online only)

Cafe Nort (Sheffield-based bakery delivers to Scotland)

IKEA often also has Finnish goodies in their food section.


Saunas around Scotland

We have compiled a list of Scottish saunas, as suggested by our members and friends.

Finnish language resources (Edinburgh)

Although Finnish used to be offered at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Open Learning’s Languages for All programme, there are currently no Edinburgh-based formal opportunities to learn Finnish as a foreign language.

The Finnish Language Club of Edinburgh has re-introduced an adults language learning group alongside their childrens activities. They meet every other Sunday during school terms. You can send them an email for further information or have a look at their website.

You can also come along to one our Pubi Illat (Pub Nights) for some Finnish (or Finnglish) chat!

For online options, take a look at the classes organised by the Finnish Institute in London.

Suomi-koulut

Edinburghin Suomi-koulu
Kaikki lapsiperheet ovat lämpimästi tervetulleita Edinburghin Suomi-kouluun! Kokoonnumme suunnilleen joka toinen sunnuntai Murrayfield Parish Churchillä. Suomi-koulu on mahdollisuus ylläpitää lasten (ja omaa!) kielitaitoa ja löytää suomalainen yhteisö ulkomailla. Kaikki ovat tervetulleita iästä ja kielitaidosta riippumatta! Lisätietoja saat Facebookista osoitteesta tai lähettämällä meille sähköpostia. Tule ihmeessä mukaan!

All families are warmly welcomed to the Edinburgh Finnish School! We meet approximately every other Sunday at Murrayfield Parish Church. Finnish School is a chance to maintain your kids’ (and your own!) Finnish skills and find a community of Finnish people abroad. Everyone is welcome regardless of age or language level! You can get more information by asking our Facebook group or by emailing us. We’d love to see you! There is currently an adults group running alongside the childrens’ activities too.

Glasgow’n Suomi-koulu (Glasgow Finnish School) offers language learning opportunities for both adults and children. Please check the website regularly for updates on forthcoming sessions. Information can also be obtained by email or through the Finns in Scotland Facebook group.

FAQs

The Society

How do I join the Society? How much does it cost?

  • New members are warmly welcomed – tervetuloa! All the information about joining the Scottish-Finnish Society can be found here.

Do I have to be Finnish/speak Finnish/have a Finnish partner/have a connection to Finland to join?

  • Absolutely not – and you don’t have to be Scottish, either! If you have an interest in Finland and meeting Finnish people, then we’d love to have you as a member: find details on how to join here and our forthcoming events here.

I/my band/my theatre group/etc. would like to perform in Edinburgh/Scotland: can you sponsor us/help with the arrangements?

  • While we are always happy to inform our members of any Finland-related events going on in Scotland, we are a small Society, so cannot help with sponsorship or arranging events. But do let us know the details and we’ll pass them on to our members via our email list and social media channels.

Do you offer Finnish lessons?

  • The Society does not offer Finnish lessons.  Please see “Finnish language resources” above or contact our secretary for further information on what’s currently available. There are also two Finnish Schools in Scotland, one in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow, which organise activities for children.

Travelling to Scotland

I am travelling to Scotland. Can you organise a tour for me/help me with the arrangements?

  • You have chosen a great destination for your trip, and we’re sure that you will love your time in Scotland! We do not offer tour guiding or travel planning services, but there are lots of providers out there, so a Google search should give you lots of choice! A great place to start is Visit Scotland, which you can find here. 

How can I get to Scotland from Finland?

  • There are several airlines that fly between Finland and Scotland, although most of them will include a transfer. Finnair operates some direct flights between Helsinki and Edinburgh; other airlines include SAS, KLM and Norwegian. We recommend using a flight comparison site to find your flights.

I’d like to move to Scotland: where do I start?