What is SWRI?
What do members do?
Does SWRI have a Magazine?
Who are SWRI's members?
Where are there Rurals?
Why is SWRI important to women in Scotland ?

What is SWRI?
Scottish Women's Rural Institutes (often called "the Rural" or "the WRI" by its members) is a women's organisation with educational aims and charitable status. SWRI has no party political or religious affiliations.
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What do members do?
SWRI gathers women together in local groups. It offers social, educational and recreational opportunities to women living in rural areas or who are interested in country life.

Locally SWRI members meet together on a monthly basis, where they gain instruction and enjoyment from talks, demonstrations and classes in arts and crafts, while at the same time enjoying the friendship of their fellow members, and offering the hand of friendship to newcomers. Information and speakers on matters of public interest are offered and members are active in Rural affairs.

All members also have the opportunity to take part in not only the meetings and events organised by their own Rural but also to participate in the many and varied demonstrations, classes, competitions and meetings organised by their Federation (county level) and nationally. The Rural is the gateway to all sorts of opportunities at local, regional, national and international levels. For more details see Structure.
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Does SWRI have a Magazine?
Yes. The monthly magazine Scottish Home and Country provides a valuable link between the individual member and Headquarters, as well as featuring many interesting articles, news and views, competitions and cookery.
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Who are SWRI's members?
Members of SWRI are women with an interest in and commitment to rural life. They come in all shapes, sizes, ages, creeds and colours. They come from all walks of life - teachers, carers, clerical workers, farmers, farmers' wives, vets, shop workers, postwomen, hotel workers, childminders, nurses, scientists, to name but a few.

Through their commitment to rural life many members become involved in fighting to retain rural services e.g. post offices, schools, bus services etc.

Members are a living database of arts and crafts and country traditions, and as such their expertise is frequently sought by their fellow members and also by the media.
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Where are there Rurals?
Membership of SWRI is open to those who, "live and work in the country or who are interested in country life" (from the SWRI constitution). So a Rural can be formed wherever there is a group of women interested in becoming members. Many villages have Rurals but there are also groups in towns and cities.

For example, Edinburgh has 7 institutes, some in villages swallowed by urban growth, others started more recently to meet a growing interest in all that SWRI stands for and the opportunities offered to members.
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Why is SWRI important to women in Scotland?
In many areas throughout Scotland the Rural Institute is perhaps the only centre where women can meet together. One of the SWRI's strengths is the fellowship of our fellow members - fun to share the good times and support for the difficult times - an extended family. The hand of friendship is extended to newcomers, young and old are welcomed.

Lack of public transport, school closures and the decline in services and amenities are very real and pressing issues. Institute members are active in fighting these and in dealing with day to day problems that beset us all.

Members frequently play an important part in local affairs by serving on committees and passing on their knowledge and skills. Radio, television, press and women's magazines seek their expertise.

SWRI brings to its members a wealth of recreational and educational opportunities. Membership is open to all women whatever their creed, colour, occupation or age.
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