BORDER BOTHIES ASSOCIATION
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School children walking out from Fingland - Winter 2024
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Two groups of school children crossing over at Stanhopehope - Winter 2024
57" ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS
2024 - 2025
Border Bothies Association
A Charity Registered in Scotland SC 006486
57th Annual Report & Accounts (October 2024 - September 2025)
Office Bearers:
| President: | David Dixon (Prestonpans) |
|---|---|
| Vice-President: | Vacancy |
| Secretary & Treasurer: | Keith Anderson (Musselburgh) |
| Bothy Convenors: | David Dixon (Prestonpans) - Glensax |
| Chris Dixon (Inverness) - Stanhopehope | |
| Alex Scroggie (Bishopbriggs) - Fingland | |
| John Campbell (Ardchattan) — Barrs | |
| Tom Sharp (Dunbeg) — Barrs | |
| Murray Young (Dunbeg) — Barrs to Jan ‘25 | |
| Alan McQuiston (Ayr) - Polmood | |
| Principal Address: | 7 Oswald Terrace, Prestonpans EH32 9EG |
| Independent Examiner: | Christine Peace, 35 Clarebank Crescent, |
| Edinburgh EH6 7NL | |
| Bankers: | TSB,120GeorgeStreet,EdinburghEH24TS |
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: To maintain overnight shelters (bothies) in suitable condition where young persons can spend their leisure in recreational and educational pursuits so that they may learn to know and appreciate the countryside.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT: Founded 1968 incorporating the Glensax Lodge Association founded 1967. The Association elects Office Bearers rather than Trustees who are eligible for re-election every year and who are responsible for the affairs of the Association. As well as the AGM there are usually two meetings of Office Bearers each year. There are no sub-committees of the Association. The Association has negotiated Public Liability Insurance to cover any claims against it. The constitution has been accepted by OSCR and the Scottish Borders Council in whose jurisdiction we mainly operate.
PREVIEW
Although usage has dropped slightly from the previous year it is still at a very satisfactory level especially since we are now having to cope with a shooting season and new rules which are affecting access to Fingland. Those using the bothies are very appreciative of the facilities the Association provides. Here are some recent encouraging comments from youngsters using our bothies:
“| left my home and you gave me another place to call home” — MissAdventure Cycling Group.
“All round experience was wonderful” — Venture Scotland.
“Great wee place as always, we'll be back” — Bothwell Scouts.
“Clearly the BBA have invested a great deal of time and energy in improving the bothy, many thanks” Cockleroy Explorer Scouts at Glensax.
; 4. REPORTS ON BOTHIES; REPAIRS & IMPROVEMENTS
1. MEMBERSHIP
Membership stands at 24 which is an adequate number to allow the Association to function effectively.
- OVERNIGHTS & USAGE 2024-25 (2023-24 figures in brackets and 1966-2025 figures at the end of the Report).
| Nights Open | Overnights | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glensax Lodge | 12 | (13) | 21 | (33) | |
| Stanhopehope | 29 | (36) | 295 | (365) | |
| Fingland | 22 | (22) | 168 | (156) | |
| Polmood | (AlbertWatson Memorial Hut) | 107 | (110) | 233 | (316) |
| Barrs | 83 | (63) | 159 | (196) | |
| 253 | (244) | 876 | (1066) |
3. FINANCE
As forecast we have registered a small deficit for this year but our funds are still more than adequate. We will probably reduce the funds further with more alterations to the gas supplies and work required on the roof at the Polmood Hut. Other equipment may have to be replaced subsequently but we are confident that such expenses will still leave us with more than sufficient for the Association to continue to operate effectively.
a) GLENSAX LODGE: Re-proofing of the rear roof was completed, the shed door repaired and the porch supports strengthened. The Estate has continued renovating the “Lodge” and done some landscaping at the rear of the building.
b) STANHOPEHOPE: Routine maintenance of the roof, gutters and drainage continues. A better wooden cover for the septic tank has been made and the gas re-positioned at the back of the bothy (outside) and changed to Propane.
c) FINGLAND: Unfortunately one of the severe winter gales peeled back the old corrugated iron roof of the woodshed. This was replaced with Onduline sheeting in April and the structure strengthened. A good deal of pointing of the shed walls has also been done and the storage space better organised. A fair amount of maintenance has also been required on the slated roof of the bothy. The woodworm treatment seems to be effective. We are very grateful to Lady White for organising the transport of materials.
d) ALBERT WATSON MEMORIAL HUT (POLMOOD): The hut gates have been repainted, the leak in the roof repaired and the chimney re-sealed. The woodshed has been treated with preservative and the grounds kept tidy. The gas lighting system has been disconnected but could be connected again if needed. Special electrical fitments have been fitted to the old lights. Plans are in hand to re-cover the roof.
e) BARRS BOTHY: A lot of work was done in the Spring including more tree planting, completing the painting of roof sheets, some pointing and a general tidy-up. A beautiful wooden bench has been donated to the bothy by Murray Young's friends and a cherry tree planted in his memory.
5. OTHER PROJECTS
Members continue to be responsible for the maintenance of a number of MBA bothies and Aidan Hedley has installed solar lighting at the Border Forest Trust’s property in Gameshope.
6. BBA NEWS
Four people long connected with the BBA have died during the year under review. Valerie Robertson edited our Newsletter for many years and made it a very interesting and informative publication. Murray Young was one of the Convenors for Barrs’ and spent many enjoyable times in that area canoeing and fishing.. lain Miller was a joiner who did a huge amount of work for the MBA and as a Boys’ Brigade Leader enjoyed taking the youngsters to the BBA bothies and helping with any work required. Jenny Brockie along with her late husband Bill, looked after Hope bothy until Bill retired, and took part in many BBA social events, organising a Summer barbecue at Hope every year. Many of her family stayed at the bothies over the years and her son Nick was Convenor of Hope (before Bill and Jenny) and then took on Auchope when we were given the use of it in 1993. We are indeed fortunate to have had such dedicated people willing to support the Association over the years and we will miss their presence among us.
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are extremely grateful to the bothy owners, the local farmers and shepherds for their friendship, assistance and support for the aims of the Association, without which we could not operate.
We are also indebted to the members who give up their time, talents and equipment to help keep the bothies in good condition, and to Christine Peace who kindly audits our accounts at no cost to the Association.
8. CONCLUSION
The continuing restrictions at some of the bothies may constrain usage again in the coming year but the links being built with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme may bring additional usage. It is fascinating that we were recently contacted regarding a possible bothy in Wester Ross — well over 60 years since the first BBA type bothy at Upper Brotherstone, Midlothian. The building concerned may now be run by the MBA, but it is good to know that we are held in such high regard still in Scotland and Northern England.
it is my great privilege to present this Report for the approval of the Membership.
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David Dixon, President 8 November 2025
APPROVED by the MEMBERSHIP at the AGM and signed on their behalf
BORDER BOTHIES ASSOCIATION (SC006486) Year from 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025
Receipts and Payments Accounts
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|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|TOTAL|TOTAL|
|Funds|Funds|(last|year)|
|Receipts|2024-25|2024-25|2024-25|2023-24|
|£|£|£|£|
|Membership|Fees|24.00|24.00|24.00|
|Donations|-|General|3029.00|3029.00|3256.74|
|Total|Receipts|3053.00|0.00|3053.00|3280.74|
|Payments|
|Gas|and|Accessories|476.50|476.50|166.00|
|Gas|Alterations|828.00|828.00|0.00|
|Gifts|to|Estates|and|others|40.00|40.00|33.00|
|Affiliation|Fees|45.00|45.00|45.00|
|Maintenance|and|Stores|600.39|600.39|522.65|
|Public|Liability|Insurance|570.57|570.57|557.15|
|Trustee|Liability|Insurance|341.67|341.67|341.67|
|Buildings|Insurance|(Polmood)|451.80|451.80|442.00|
|Fire|Extinguisher|Testing|120.00|120.00|90.00|
|AGM|expenses|0.00|0.00|33.00|
|Donation|to|Venture|Scotland|0.00|0.00|820.00|
|Re-rpofing|Fingland|Shed|250.32|250.32|0.00|
|Total|Payments|3724.25|0.00|3724.25|3050.47|
|Excess|of|Receipts|over Payments|-671.25|230.27|
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Statement|of|Balances|
|Funds|£|Represented|by|£|
|Total|brought|forward|10759.62|Lloyds|Bank|(TSB)|Bank Account|10000.64|
|Surplus|for|year|-671.25|Cash|87.73|
|Carried|Forward|10088.37|10088.37|
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No Fixed Assets or Investments are held.
There are no outstanding liabilities
The accounts were approved by the Trustees at the AGM on Date: 8th November 2025 For and on behalf of the Trustees
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d
| AR— Keith Anderson (Treasurer)
ae Date: Sj | ut \w
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BORDER BOTHIES ASSOCIATION Scottish Registered Charity SC 006486
Year from 1° October 2024 to 30" September 2025
Independent Examiner’s Report on the accounts of Border Bothies Assoc.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity's trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts 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 is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such maiters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequenily, | do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
independent Examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
e 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 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations.
have not been met or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Js Slow Christine Peace Independent Examiner
35 Clarebank Crescent Edinburgh EH6 7NL
Accounts Examined
—.24"" October 2025
| ANNUAL | ANNUAL | USAGE 1966-2025 | USAGE 1966-2025 | Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nights | |||||||||||||
| Year | Glensax | S‘hope_ | B'shiels | S'daw_ | L'chrrn | Hope | Auchope | Fingland | Polmood | Barr's | Total | Open | |
| 66/67 | 81 | - | - | - | * | - | - | - | - | - | 81 | 18 | |
| 67/68 | 176 | 10 | 5 | - | * | - | - | - | - | - | 191 | 43 | |
| 68/69 | 211 | - | 37 | - | * | - | - | - | - | - | 248 | 44 | |
| 69/70 | 348 | 16 | 136 | - | * | - | - | - | - | - | 500 | 70 | |
| 70/71 71/72 72/73 73/74 74175 75176 |
229 241 302 360 375 400 |
81 151 145 221 199 432 |
192 81 86 123 99 109 |
- - 166 386 481 760 |
* - - - |
- - - - - - |
- - - - - - |
- - - - - - |
- - - - - - |
- - - - - - |
502 473 699 4090 1154 1701 |
84 80 109 159 150 194 |
|
| 76/77 | 483 | 401 | 104 | 693 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1681 | 197 | |
| 77178 78/79 |
493 434 |
423 247 |
75 112 |
584 510 |
15 72 |
- - |
- - |
- - |
- - |
~ - |
1590 1375 |
176 170 |
|
| 79/80 | 207 | 173 | 60 | 506 | 76 | - | - | - | - | - | 1022 | 137 | |
| 80/81 81/82 82/83 83/84 84/85 |
225 178 181 163 147 |
234 226 247 148 184 |
17 - 2 - - |
518 144 304 233 458 |
107 53 118 69 112 |
- - - - - |
- - - - - |
- - - - - |
- - - - - |
- - - - - |
1101 601 852 613 901 |
125 74 96 79 105 |
|
| 85/86 | 83 | 53 | - | 93 | 68 | - | - | - | - | - | 297 | 50 | |
| 86/87 | 100 | 129 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 229 | 28 | |
| 87/88 | 84 | 182 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 266 | 24 | |
| 88/89 | 74 | 232 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 306 | 34 | |
| 89/90 | 116 | 385 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 501 | 60 | |
| 90/91 | — | 116 | 283 | - | - | - | 145 | - | - | - | - | 544 | 54 |
| 91/92 | 102 | 58 | - | - | - | 214 | - | - | - | - | 374 | 45 | |
| 92/93 | 103 | 25 | - | - | - | 170 | 23 | - | - | - | 321 | 55 | |
| 93/94 | 77 | 83 | - | - | - | 301 | 56 | - | - | - | 517 | 80 | |
| 94/95 | 100 | 110 | - | - | - | 322 | 114 | - | - | - | 646 | 86 | |
| 95/96 | 90 | 38 | - | - | - | 262 | 110 | - | - | - | 500 | 72 | |
| 96/97 | 140 | 86 | - | - | - | 197 | 89 | - | - | - | 512 | 74 | |
| 97/98 98/99 |
56 60 |
84 51 |
- - |
- - |
- - |
171 164 |
54 25 |
- - |
- - |
- - |
365 300 |
69 48 |
|
| 99/00 | 65 | 105 | - | - | - | 177 | 50 | - | - | - | 397 | 78 | |
| 00/01** | 66 | 33 | - | - | - | 85 | 7 | - | - | - | 191 | 33 | |
| 01/02 | 57 | 32 | - | - | - | 111 | 51 | - | - | - | 251 | 47 | |
| 02/03 | 35 | 119 | - | - | - | 226 | 93 | - | - | - | 473 | 72 | |
| 03/04 04/05 |
105 60 |
263 436 |
- - |
- - |
- - |
322 262 |
101 156 |
75 146 |
- - |
- - |
866 1060 |
140 157 |
|
| 05/06 | 132 | 362 | - | - | - | 287 | 96 | 82 | - | - | 959 | 142 | |
| 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 |
137 108 212 56 86 |
323 286 220 295 515 |
- - - - - |
- - - - - |
- - - - - |
323 331 337 254 - |
74 162 123 205 154 |
125 152 164 193 180 |
- 90 190 147 232 |
- - - - - |
982 1129 1246 1150 1167 |
158 185 180 188 181 |
|
| 11/12 | 174 | 317 | - | - | - | - | 289 | 154 | 238 | - | 1172 | 183 | |
| 12/13 | 32 | 339 | - | - | - | - | 89 | 214 | 240 | 79 | 993 | 194 | |
| 13/14 | 88 | 239 | - | - | - | - | 158 | 309 | 181 | 107 | 1082 | 196 | |
| 14/15 | 81 | 255 | - | - | - | - | 119 | 230 | 274 | 142 | 1101 | 215 | |
| 15/16 | 117 | 281 | - | - | - | - | 183 | 172 | 264 | 86 | 1103 | 199 | |
| 16/17 | 55 | 248 | - | - | - | - | 164 | 221 | 275 | 150 | 1113 | 211 | |
| 17/18 18/19 |
122 74 |
138 184 |
- - |
- - |
- - |
- - |
42 - |
132 168 |
342 344 |
114 115 |
890 885 |
182 191 |
|
| 19/20*** | 21 | 73 | - | - | - | - | - | 132 | 142 | 63 | 431 | 119 | |
| 20/21*** | 15 | 33 | - | - | - | - | - | 45 | 186 | 173 | 452 | 190 | |
| 21/22 | 26 | 239 | - | - | - | - | - | 100 | 511 | 200 | «1076 | 296 | |
| 22/23 | 27 | 261 | - | - | - | - | - | 228 | 427 | 224 | 1167 | 270 | |
| 23/24 | 33 | 365 | - | - | - | - | - | 156 | 316 | 196 | 1066 | 244 | |
| 24/25 | 21 | 295 | - | - | - | - | - | 168 | 233 | 159 | 876 | 253 | |
| TOTAL | 8540 | 11593 | 1238 | 5836 | 690 | 4661 | 2787 | 3546 | 4632 | 1808 | 45331 | 7393 |
- Maintained as a Private Bothy
** Activities severely disrupted by Foot & Mouth Disease epidemic. ** Activities severely disrupted by Coronavirus pandemic