**Charity number: SC006008** **The Highland Children's Trust** **Report and financial statements For the year ended 5 April 2025** **The Highland Children's Trust Charity number: SC006008** ## **Trust information For the year ended 5 April 2025** ## **Governors (Trustees)** (appointed 17 April 2025) ## **Secretary, treasurer and principal address** |Secretary:|| |---|---| ||Saffery LLP| ||Torridon House| ||Beechwood Park| ||Inverness| ||IV2 3BW| |Administrator &|| |Treasurer|| |Principal address:|C/o Saffery LLP| ||Torridon House| ||Beechwood Park| ||Inverness| ||IV2 3BW| |**Advisors:**|| |Bankers:|Bank of Scotland| ||2-6 Eastgate| ||Inverness| ||IV2 3NA| |Independent examiners:|Frame Kennedy| ||4th Floor| ||Metropolitan House| ||31-33 High Street| ||Inverness| ||IV1 1HT| |Stockbrokers:|Rathbone Investment Management Limited| ||George House| ||50 George Square| **The Highland Children's Trust Charity number: SC006008** ## **Contents** ||**Page**| |---|---| |Governors' report|1| |Statement of governors' responsibilities in respect of the financial statements|2| |Independent examiner's report|3| |Statement of financial activities|4| |Balance sheet|5| |Notes to the financial statements|6 - 9| **The Highland Children's Trust Charity number: SC006008** **Page 1** ## **Governor's report For the year ended 5 April 2025** The Highland's Children's Trust was established as the successor to the Highland Orphanage Trust under the terms of a Petition by the Court of Session on 19 April 1985. The Trust is recognised by HM Revenue and Customs as a charity, reference number SC006008. ## **Objects** The Trust may provide financial assistance to children and young person's not exceeding the age of twenty-five years, preference being given to children resident in the Highland region. Assistance may be provided towards education, accommodation, obtaining employment, setting up in business or the provision of a holiday. Under the terms of the Murdo Matheson Memorial Fund assistance may be given to orphaned children in the Highlands and Islands. ## **Governors** The governors of the Trust during the year ended 5 April 2025, and subsequently were those listed on the Trust Information page. New governors are appointed following an approach to suitable candidates by existing governors. There is no formal induction or training procedures for new governors. The governors meet periodically to discuss and review the applications received, the running of the Trust and the investment reports received from Rathbones. ## **Management** was the administrator and the treasurer for the Trust throughout the year. The administrator is responsible for the day to day management of the Trust under the instruction of the governors. ## **Risk Management** The governors have considered the major risks to which the trust is exposed and, where appropriate, systems have been established to mitigate these risks. ## **Reserves policy** ## _**Unrestricted funds**_ The general fund represents funds arising from past events that may be expended on any of the Trust objects. The capital fund is an expendable capital fund. ## **Results and achievements** There was a deficit of expenditure over income in unrestricted funds for the year of £25,535 (2024: £32,089). The revaluation and disposals of investments for the year produced a loss of £84,143 (2024: gain of £3,078). During the year the Trust has assisted a total of 59 individual applicatants through providing grant assistance to help with attending school trips, attending University or College, increasings skills to help with employment or having a family holiday. The Governors continue to seek ways to further improve the reach of the Trust. Approved by the governors and signed on their behalf by: Chair Date 11th December 2025 **The Highland Children's Trust Charity number: SC006008** **Page 2** **Governor's report For the year ended 5 April 2025** ## **Statement of governors' responsibilities in respect of the financial statements** The governors are responsible for preparing the Governor’s report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. Charity law requires the governors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Trust and of the surplus or deficit of the Trust for that year. In preparing those financial statements, the governors are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The governors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Trust and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, and the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. **The Highland Children's Trust Charity number: SC006008** **Page 3** ## **Independent examiner's report to the Governors on the unaudited financial statements of The Highland Children’s Trust** I report on the financial statements of The Highland Children’s Trust for the year ended 5 April 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and the related notes. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10 (1) (a) to (c) of the accounts regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44 (1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner's statement** My examination was carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements. ## **Independent examiner's statement** In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention: - 1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met, or - 2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. 4th Floor 11th December 2025 Independent Examiner Metropolitan House Frame Kennedy 31-33 High Street Chartered accountants Inverness IV1 1HT **The Highland Children's Trust Charity number: SC006008** **Page 4** ## **Statement of financial activities (including the income and expenditure account) For the year ended 5 April 2025** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
funds 2025 funds 2025 total total
Note £ £ £ £
Income and endowments from:
-
Donations and legacies 1,816 1,816 2,451
- - - -
Government grants
Investments 2 35,570 - 35,570 50,510
Total income 37,386 - 37,386 52,961
Expenditure on:
-
Investment management costs 12,412 12,412 11,696
Charitable activities 3 40,659 - 40,659 63,479
Other 4 9,850 - 9,850 10,307
-
Total resources expended 62,921 62,921 85,482
-
Net (expenditure) (25,535) (25,535) (32,521)
Transfers between funds - - - -
-
(25,535) (25,535) (32,521)
Other recognised gains/(losses):
-
Gains/(losses) on investment assets (84,143) (84,143) 3,078
Net movement in funds (109,678) - (109,678) (29,443)
Reconciliation of funds:
-
Total funds brought forward 1,341,047 1,341,047 1,370,490
Total funds carried forward 1,231,369 - 1,231,369 1,341,047
**----- End of picture text -----**
The notes on pages 6 to 9 form part of these financial statements. **The Highland Children's Trust Charity number: SC006008** **Page 5** ## **Balance sheet As at 5 April 2025** **----- Start of picture text -----**
2025 2024
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed assets:
Property 5 35,078 35,078
35,078 35,078
Investments 6 1,194,182 1,296,300
Current assets:
Debtors 7 87 85
Bank - Current 3,750 10,448
3,837 10,533
Current liabilities:
Creditors: amounts falling due within one (1,728) (864)
year
Net current assets 2,109 9,669
Net assets 1,231,369 1,341,047
Total funds:
Unrestricted funds 8 1,231,369 1,341,047
Restricted funds 8 - -
Total funds 1,231,369 1,341,047
**----- End of picture text -----**
Chair 11th December 2025 **The Highland Children's Trust Charity number: SC006008** **Page 6** ## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 5 April 2025** ## **1 Accounting policies** ## **1.1 Basis of preparation** These financial statements include all the funds governed by the terms of the principal Trust Deed constituted in terms of the Highland Orphanage Trust Scheme 1936 and 1956 as amended by section 105 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and Schedule 6 to the Education (Scotland) Act 1981. The financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis. The financial statements comply with the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and The Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. ## **1.2 Fund financial statements** The trust is comprised of two funds. ## _**Unrestricted - general fund**_ The governing body may apply the annual income including any balance brought forward in executing the purposes of the scheme. ## _**Unrestricted - capital fund**_ The governing body has the power to invest the whole or any part of the trust fund and may incur expenditure for any purposes of the scheme. ## _**Restricted funds**_ The Trust currently has no restricted funds. ## **1.3 Fixed assets** Assets are recorded under the historical cost convention incorporating donated assets at the acquisition value. Heritable property is maintained in a state of good repair and it is considered by the governors that residual values are such that depreciation is not material; consequently heritable property is not depreciated. The property was sold after the balance sheet date for proceeds in excess of its carrying value. ## **1.4 Tax** The trust is accepted as a charity by HM Revenue and Customs and is therefore not liable to income tax and is exempt from capital gains tax. ## **1.5 VAT** Expenses are charged on a VAT inclusive basis where appropriate. ## **1.6 Investments** Investments are included on the balance sheet at market value. **The Highland Children's Trust Charity number: SC006008** **Page 7** ## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 5 April 2025** ## **2 Investments** |Dividends and interest received|35,570
-
35,570
50,510
35,570
-
35,570
50,510
_Unrestricted_
_fund 2025_
_Restricted fund_
_2025 Total funds 2025_
_Total funds_
_2024_| |---|---| ## **3 Charitable activities** |Payments to beneficiaries - individuals
Administrator's salary
Secretary's fees and accountancy fee
Heat and light
Sundries
Rates and insurance
Telephone
Professional fees|19,289
-
19,289
33,682
5,393
-
5,393
13,731
9,065
-
9,065
6,588
1,116
-
1,116
1,194
237
-
237
558
355
-
355
440
856
-
856
830
4,348
-
4,348
6,456
40,659
-
40,659
63,479
_Unrestricted_
_fund 2025_
_Restricted fund_
_2025 Total funds 2025_
_Total funds_
_2024_| |---|---| ## **4 Other costs** |Governance costs
Pension paid to former matron|864
-
864
2,196
8,986
-
8,986
8,111
9,850
-
9,850
10,307
_Unrestricted_
_fund 2025_
_Restricted fund_
_2025 Total funds 2025_
_Total funds_
_2024_| |---|---| The governance costs relate to the independent examination fee. ## **5 Property** **£** Cost: At 5 April 2024 and 5 April 2025 35,078 **The Highland Children's Trust Charity number: SC006008** **Page 8** ## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 5 April 2025** ## **6 Investments** |Market value at 5 April 2024
Acquisitions at cost
Equalisations/redemptions
Disposals at market value
Increase/(Decrease) in Rathbones account
Realised (losses)/gains
Unrealised (losses)
Market Value
Shares
Cash held by Rathbones
Market value at 5 April 2025|**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
1,296,300
1,324,048
1,694,190
334,414
(122)
(395)
(1,717,451)
(369,900)
5,408
5,055
(21,909)
103,983
(62,234)
(100,905)
1,194,182
1,296,300
1,177,218
1,284,744
16,964
11,556
1,194,182
1,296,300| |---|---| ## **7 Debtors** |Prepayments|**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
87
85
87
85| |---|---| ## **8 Funds** |Unrestricted funds:
General fund
Capital fund|**Balance**
**brought**
**forward**
**Net incoming**
**resources**
**before gains**
**and (losses) Gains / (losses)**
**Transfers**
**Balance**
**carried**
**forward**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
21,225
(25,535)
-
-
(4,310)
1,319,822
-
(84,143)
-
1,235,679
1,341,047
(25,535)
(84,143)
-
1,231,369| |---|---| **The Highland Children's Trust Charity number: SC006008** **Page 9** ## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 5 April 2025** ## **9 Analysis of assets between funds** |Fixed assets
Investments
Debtors
Bank
Creditors
Cash held by Rathbones|**Unrestricted**
**general**
**Unrestricted**
**capital**
**Restricted**
**general**
**Restricted**
**capital**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
-
35,078
-
-
35,078
-
1,177,218
-
-
1,177,218
16,964
-
-
-
16,964
87
-
-
-
87
3,750
-
-
-
3,750
(1,728)
-
-
-
(1,728)
19,073
1,212,296
-
-
1,231,369| |---|---|