Re¢istered Cffiarlty Number
sa￿2778
The Scottish Flag Trust
Report and Financial Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2024

The Scottish Flag Trust
Content5
Page
Legal and admlnistrative Informatlon
Trustees, Achievements Report
Statement of Receipts and Payments
Statement of Balances
Notes to the accounts
Independent examlner's report

Scottlsh nagTrust Report of the Trustees forthe yearended 31 December2024
LEGAL & ADMINisfFIATIVE INFORMATION
Structure, Government & Managemert Governlng Document
The Trust is govemed by',ts Constitution, last updated 29 October 2011. As a charity, it is
registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator(OSCR) reference SC002778.
Trustees and Organlsatlon
The Trust is an unincorporated association with a maximum of 8 Trustees, at least 2 of
whom shall be members of the Saltire Society. Throughout 2024 the Trust had a full
complement of Trustees. The Trust is required to have a minimum of 3 board meetin85
each year, and in 2024 meetings were held in February, May and September.
Oblectlves
As set out in the Constitution, the purposes of the Trust a￿:_
3) the advancement of tle heritage of the birthplace of Scotland's national flag- the St
Andrew's Cross or Saltire- including the maintenance and upkeep of the Saltire Memorial
and associated floodlighting and the Flag Heritage Centre located within Athelstaneford
Kirkyard, East Lothian.
b) the advancement of the education of the public at large and Scots as to the origins of
Scotland'5 national flag, and the encouragement of the proper use of the flag both
within and outwsth Scotland.
Rlsk Management
The Trust regularfy reviews policies and assesses risk. The gradual deterioration of the
Structures and pathways at the birthplace had been identtfied in 2021 as a major concern,
and a programme of refurbishment and renewal was drawn up to address thi5. The
Trustees had also identified the urgent need to increase revenue streams to meet annual
maintenance costs. and MeaSu￿S to address this have just been put in place.

2024 ACHIEVEMENTS
sltorseason: The Heritage Centre was able to open forthe full 7 month season April to
October, though there was some disruption in the summerforvisitor5 during the
implementation of the path upgrdde and timelipe.:.
.kr Cree below). Wisitor numbers
remained steady. Thanks are due to custodian
ho took over
responsibility for ensuring the Centre and toilet were ()peied daily throughout the
period. The Tap to Donate facilily in the Heritsge Centre continues to be a worthwhile
investment in attracting card donations.
Arisingfrom the lastvisitscotland report and recommendations, a numberof
improvements were carried out priorto the Heritsge Centre opening in April 2024. These
included a thorough cleaning of the high level screen in the Doocot, and the cutting back
of vegetation immediate,'y in front of the viewpoint.
Rene¥￿dI Project - Paths Resurfaclngand Ttmellne: Much of the Trust's focus in the year
related to the implementation of the pathways project. This involved the upgrading of
the entrance to the Kirkyard. the replacement of steps by the War Memorial with a ramp,
and the laying of a resin bound aggregate surface path to the Hentage Centre with a spur
to the toilet to the rear of the ￿'rk. The workwas successfully carried out by Ashwood
Scotland Ltd duringJunelJuly, with great care to avoid disruption to weddings in the Kirk
during that period. There was a delay in the delivery and installation of the 12 timeline
rounde15, and this was finally signed off at the start of November. Some additional costs
were incurred during the project due to unforeseen issues relating to pipework by the
toilet and at the site entrance. The Kirkyard gates also had to be removed temporarily.
The overall project costs were in the region of £125,000. Particular thanks are due to the
main funding partners- East Lothian Council and Valencia Communities Fund. There
were also welcome contributions from East Lammemuir Community Council and from
East Lothian Community Rail Partnership. Thanks are also due to the sponsors of each
of the 12 timeline roundels. Towards the year end, a planning application was submitted
forconsentto erect a timeline information panel on the Kirkyard wall adjacent to the
Heritage Centre, and thiswill also acknowledge all of the sponsors.
Truste
followeL )
generously hosted a special lunch for sponsors on 30 November,
.[ I_￿,￿￿41017 on site of the upgrade path and the timeline roundels.
Future ProJect-The Saltlre Memorfal: Following the upgrading of the path to the
Heritage Centre and timeline. attention tumed to the next phase of work, namelythe
enhancement of the Memorial and its setting, togetherwith the path leading to it.
preliminary inspection of hairline cracks in the concrete plinth of the Memorial was
commissioned and carried out in May by fim) CRL (Con(￿le Repairs Limited). This was
followed by a more detailed report from CRL outlining various treatment options and
costs, but a decision on these has Still to be taken.

Future Project - AV Up8Tade: While the Trust holds a final ￿port from
the University of the Highlands & Islands identfying innovative ways in which the light
show within the Heritage Centre can be enhanced using the latest digital technology,
little progress was made during 2024 in identify'ng funding.
Mar*ing st hndrew's Day. On Saturday 30 November, a special St Andrew Service was
held in Athelstaneford Kirk to mark Scotland's national day. The Trust worked closely
with the Kirk Session and the ministe
in makingthis a memorable
occasion. The weather was kind as tiie hodoiiisioll Ilpè band performed by the
Memorial as guests arrived, with Heralds from the Lyon Court present at the ceremonial
hoisting of the new Saltire. Gifford Communtiy Choir had been invited to perform at the
Service, and their singing of Scottlsh numbers was warmly received by a packed
congregation. Everyonewas invited back to the Village Hall afterwards for
refreshments.
In the run up to St Andrew's Dayi on 28 November, the Trust invited guests to a Saltire
Race Day at Musselburgh Racecourse, courtesy once more of the generosity of Trustee
The 1.00pm race was named The Athelstoneford Home of the Saltire
JilVÉniie Imdiden Hurdle Race.
Athelstaneford Primary School marked the national day by raising a new Saltire on the
school flagpole, courtesy of Trustee
365 Salure Sponsorshlp: This initiative has continued to provide an important revenue
stream forthe Trust. People are invited to sponsorthe flying of the national flag on a
day of their choice, such as a birthday or anniversary. oras a grft fora friend or relative.
By the end of 2024, 159 SJpporters were sponsoring dates on which to fly the Saltire,
The names of all sponsor5 are displayed within the Heritage Centre.

The S¢ott15h Ha8 Trust
2023
Recelpts & Payments Account
Year ended 31 D•c•mbèr 2024
Trrtal
ReceipTS
tk)natlons, re8uL4r
(lovecote donat10ft5
Restn Fund.. donat￿n$ re yth*dy5
Restoratlon Fund.. grants r￿￿e￿..
P•Irt0￿6.￿0ge6
4363
4363
970
12361
27
7,950
665
9.750
12261
27
Gfft Aid
2912
3332
48.791
L980
20.34S
4,76>
Charltth¢adl¥lth & fvnd rabh
Sale of flags and merchandlse
Flag Day sponsor5hlp fvndralsl
Bank Interest recelvèd
Totsl R•(elpts
157
4,083
741
25,326
5,073
iO,Y86
S4￿14
PAYMEP47S
Charttabl• actlTAtI
(jovecot.. herltagt centre survey
Pathways project
ELC rates. churth rem, and repal
Insurance
2,693
12,9)4
83
1,152
34
1.160
2SO
94￿07
94.607
70
312
L159
1.170
312
Eknrfcity
Audio-visual, Ektrosonk
St Andrew's Dav
webS￿e ¥nd Intemet
96J77
3A40
99J17
18,276
Admlnlrtratlon
Stsff cost.. curator
Newslètter prlntlng and ststlonery
Fund rnlsln8.' flags, èvents, race day
bscrlptKJns- SLVO
1,500
230
3,953
174
169
6,026
549
279
212
G¢)v•rn•rK• casts
Independerbt accounts eyamln•tknn
Ic
Total Paymth
91701
4,681
24,402
Surplwlld•fldtl lory••i
Fynd b￿anceS br•forw#d
lnter4und5tra￿ler
Fund b￿anceS tarri•dltyw•rd
149.8671
66.￿1
924
65,677
41
24,711
16.734
16.714
66.601

The kott15h Flag Tn
Ststement of Balances
at 31 Decern￿r 2024
2024
2023
Bank- Interest account
Bank- Current atcount
PayPal Account
Stripe E-commerce Account
Net Assets
14.992
1,378
63,198
1.223
1,140
66,601
16,734
Represented by:
Unrestricted funds
16,734
24,712
Restricted fund- restoration
41.889
Total Funds
16,734
66,601
Otber a8s¢ts:
Sum due to Scottish Flag Trust after 31.12.2024
Gift Aid claim receNed February 2025
Uabllltles:
Sum due by Scottlsh Fla8 Trust after 31.12.2024
Honorarium Independent Examlner
These a¢¢ount5 were approved by the commlttee of trustees on
Aprll 2025
and signed on that day on thelr behalf by
Chalrnian.

THE SCOThSH FLAG TRusr
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
For the year ttl￿ed 31 December 2024
8asls on whleh accounts have been prepared
With effect from 1st January 2(YJ7. the Trust's accourts have been
prepared on the Recelpts and Payments basis which is applicable to
smaller charities with an annual income below £250,CIX).
The charity is entirely dependent on the continuin8 SUPPOrt of its
subscrSbin8 rnember donors. both Individual and corporate.
Gift Aid recovered and publlc donations.
Taxatlon
As a registered charty. the trust is exempt from income and corporntion
tsx to the extent that its income and gains are applicable to charitable
purposes only. Value Added Tax is not fecoverable by the and is
therefore included in any relevant COSts.
If upon winding up or dissolution of the charlty there remain any assets,
after the satisfartion of all debts and liabilities, the assets represented by
the accumulated fund shall be transferred to some other charitable body or
bodies having objects slmllar to those of the charty.
Remuneratlon Ind expenses for Trustees
The executive committee, who are trustees. ￿ceIve neither remuneration
nor round-sum expenses. A trustee making a necessary payment to
Flag Trust purposes Is only relmbursed for recelpted approved expendlture.
Endowm•nt Funds
The chartty had no endowment funds in the yearended 31 December 2023.
Restrlrted Funds
On 30th November 2019, the Trust started a campaign to raise funds for
necessary renovations. The balance of the fund at 31 L)ecember 2024
51ood at £ NIL 12023 £41.8891. since the renovatlons We￿ completed..
Grant Funde
Restorat5on Fund: Brants re¢elved.,
East Lothlan Counal
Historic Environment Scotland
rldor Credrts
Baird Trust
Pathways improvement project..
East Lammermuir Community courKII
Other pathwaTrs donations
East Lothian Community Rail Partnershlp=
Turtleton Charitable Trust
Dovecot restoraiion.. 5wire et
2024
2022
2021
27￿6$
34,825
36.S81
20,(MJ)
4,000
5.000
15,000
94.4C6 29,000
665
10.415
27J65

Independent Exarniner'5 Report
to the Trustees of the Scottlsh Flag Trust
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 310ecember 2024 which are
set out on pa8es 4t0 6.
Respertlve responslbllltles of trU￿ee5 •nd examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts In
accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment Ikotlandl Act
2005 and the Charrlies Accounts (Scotlandl Regulations 2(X)6 as amended 2010.
The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of RegUlat￿}n 10111 Idl of the
Accounts Regulatlons does not apply. Itls my ￿sponSibl11ty to examine the accounts
as required under sectlon 44111 Icl of the Act and to State whether particular matters
hive come to my attention.
51$ of Independent examlner's ststement
My examination is carried out in accordance wfth ReBulatlon 11 of the Charrtles
Accounts1Scotlandl Regulatlons 21J)6. An examlnatlon Includes a revlew of the
accountlng records kept by the charlty and a comparlson of the accounts presented
wlth those records. 11 atso Includes conslderatlon of any unusu81 ￿emS or
d15closures In the accounts. and seeks explanatlons from the trustees concernln8
any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evldence that
would be requI￿d In an audbt and consequently I do not express an oplnh)n on
the view given in the accounts.
Independent Eumlner's Ststement
In the Coufse of my examlnatlon, no matter has corne to my attentbon
11 whlch glves me reasonable cause to bel￿ that, In any materlal respect, the
requlrements..
to keep accountlng retords In attordance woth Sertlon 44111 lal of the
2005 Art and Regulatlon 4 of the 2￿6 Accounts Regulatlons, and
to prepare accounts whkh accord wbth the accountlng re¢ords and compty
with Regulation 9 of the 2CK)6 Accounts Regulatlons,
have not been met, or
21 to which, in my oplnlon, attentlon should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understandin8 of the accounts to be reached.
Date..
pril 2025