Longstanding members will remember that our predecessors, the GB-USSR Assn and the Britain-Russia Centre, had the use of a meeting room and other British Council facilities in Bruntsfield. The Scotland-Russia Forum, founded in 2003, has always been an entirely independent and voluntary organisation and our only income has been members’ subscriptions, fees from events and occasional small donations for specific purposes. Our committee and officers have administered the Forum from their homes and meetings have been held wherever we could find, and usually hire, suitable premises.
We have therefore sought to find a proper home for the convenience of members, to enable us to develop our activities, to provide a public focus for interest in Russian affairs, and to enable us to administer the Forum more effectively.
The Scotland-Russia Forum was established to promote understanding and to encourage contact between the peoples of Scotland, Russia and its neighbouring countries. We aim to encourage understanding of the language, culture and commercial activities of those countries by means of lectures, entertainments, exhibitions, publications, conferences, meetings, research and other activities. The Culture Centre will underpin these aims and in particular will help the Forum to support and welcome visitors and residents of Scotland from Russia and its neighbours with educational, social and information services.

We are looking for suitable property to rent with the following specifications:
- rent no higher than GBP9-10,000 excl. VAT
- preferred areas Haymarket, Tollcross, Newington
- ground floor shop front
- sufficient room for small meetings (one room at least 350 sq ft) as well as for small group activities (clubs, teaching), exhibitions, a small library / video collection

Suggestions very welcome!

Please contact us with:
- suggestions of premises
- suggestions of activities, particularly those you'd like to take part in and/or organise
- offers of help setting up the centre
- offers of help manning the centre, providing a welcome and assistance to casual visitors and centre users
- offers of equipment
- offers of books, videos, DVDs