REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: SC006535
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
for
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Stevenson & Kyles Chartered Accountants 25 Sandyford Place Glasgow G3 7NG
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 to 12 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 13 to 14 |
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Charitable purpose:
(a) to promote the study, teaching, and writing of Scottish literature
(b) to promote the study and teaching of the languages of Scotland
(c) to collect and disseminate information concerning these studies in Scotland and throughout the world
(d) to stimulate and co-ordinate the publication and editing of works of Scottish Literature
(e) itself to publish at suitable intervals, edited texts, reprints, and such studies and periodicals as may be from time to time determined
Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects:
ASLS received £19,250 from Creative Scotland towards the publication of the 2024 edition of New Writing Scotland.
The Association also received £29,000 from the Education Department of the Scottish Government to support our activities promoting and supporting the teaching and study of Scottish literature and languages in Scotland and internationally.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the financial period:
The 2024 volume of New Writing Scotland was published under the title 'Don't. Even. Ask. Too. Hot'.
For schools, we published a new Scotnote study guide, on 'Exploring Scottish Place-Names'. Our annual Schools Conference was held in person at the University of Glasgow on Saturday 5 October 2024. Video recordings of the lectures have been uploaded to our YouTube channel. The Schools Conference also saw the publication of 'A Queer Warld: Four Short Stories' by ,edited by , along with a
downloadable teaching note with questions and suggestions for classroom activities, and 'The Poems of ', a selection of thirteen medieval Scots poems edited and introduced by with parallel translations into modern English and notes by . With support from the Scottish Government, we distributed free class sets (thirty copies per set) of printed copies of 'A Queer Warld' to twelve secondary schools in Scotland; we also made 'A Queer Warld' and 'The Poems of
free to download from our website. Further free downloadable Teaching Notes and Teaching Units on Scottish literature for Primary and Secondary schools were added to our website.
A new volume in our International Companions series, The International Companion to Scottish Children's Literature, waspublished in October 2024.
ASLS also published two issues of Scottish Literary Review, a scholarly journal which enjoys an international audience; and two issues of 'The Bottle Imp', a free online magazine of Scottish literary culture. The Spring/Summer issue of Scottish Literary Review was a guest-edited issue on "Queer Form in Scottish Writing", and was launched at a seminar at the University of Glasgow on 10 July 2024. This issue was made available free online via Open Access.
Our AGM was held online on Saturday 6 September.
Page 1
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
FINANCIAL REVIEW
At 31 March the Association held £74,916 in the bank, with a further £43,481 from a substantial legacy on deposit with the Nationwide Building Society and £749 in our PayPal account. The Council Members consider that the charity has sufficient funds to meet its present needs.
The accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 show a deficit of £3,024 (2024 - £16,718 deficit).
Donated facilities and services:
The University of Glasgow provides ASLS with accommodation. The value of this is estimated to be £6,000 per year.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
ASLS was founded in 1970 and became a registered charity on 8 May 1976. It is an unincorporated association and is governed by its Constitution.
Trustee recruitment and appointment
New Council members are proposed and voted on at our AGM. There are no more than eight ordinary elected members of the Council and no more than two co-opted members (co-opted members serve for one year but may serve further terms at the Council's discretion).
Page 2
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
ASLS Scottish Literature 7 University Gardens University of Glasgow Glasgow G12 8QH
ASLS Council Members 2024-25
==> picture [165 x 55] intentionally omitted <==
Council Members:
==> picture [117 x 68] intentionally omitted <==
Editors and Conveners
==> picture [304 x 120] intentionally omitted <==
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 5 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
==> picture [301 x 81] intentionally omitted <==
Page 3
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Association for Scottish Literary Studies
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 set out on pages five to twelve.
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) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity's 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 accounts as required under Section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of the independent examiner's report
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 accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, 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 accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with 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 to 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 accounts to be reached.
==> picture [327 x 140] intentionally omitted <==
Stevenson & Kyles Chartered Accountants 25 Sandyford Place Glasgow G3 7NG
- 5 September 2025
Page 4
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| 2025 Unrestricted fund Restricted funds Total funds INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Notes £ £ £ Donations and legacies 150 - 150 Charitable activities Publishing 50,853 - 50,853 Other trading activities 2 39,701 - 39,701 Total 90,704 - 90,704 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Publishing 89,179 - 89,179 Other 4,549 - 4,549 Total 93,728 - 93,728 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (3,024) - (3,024) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 101,659 - 101,659 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 98,635 - 98,635 |
2024 Total funds £ 4,996 42,082 41,780 88,858 99,010 6,566 105,576 (16,718) 118,377 101,659 |
|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 5
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Balance Sheet 31 March 2025
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 8 635 Cash at bank 119,147 119,782 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 9 (21,147) NET CURRENT ASSETS 98,635 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 98,635 NET ASSETS 98,635 FUNDS 10 Unrestricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - |
2025 Total funds £ 635 119,147 119,782 (21,147) 98,635 98,635 98,635 98,635 98,635 |
2024 Total funds £ 2,048 119,857 121,905 (20,246) 101,659 101,659 101,659 101,659 101,659 |
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 5 September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
==> picture [304 x 77] intentionally omitted <==
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Office Equipment - 25% on cost
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Council in furtherance of the objectives of the Association.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Association. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Going Concern
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue to operate and meet its obligations as the fall due. Therefore, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
continued...
Page 7
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
| OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Subscriptions Sales of publications Project MUSE CDs |
2025 £ 20,058 10,498 9,145 - 39,701 |
2024 £ 19,721 12,544 9,507 8 |
| 41,780 |
3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
4. STAFF COSTS
| Wages and salaries Other pension costs |
2025 £ 40,852 1,142 41,994 |
2024 £ 38,843 1,073 |
|---|---|---|
| 39,916 |
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Staff | 2 | 2 |
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
continued...
Page 8
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted fund £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 4,996 Charitable activities Publishing 42,082 Other trading activities 41,780 Total 88,858 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Publishing 99,010 Other 6,566 Total 105,576 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (16,718) Transfers between funds 2,293 Net movement in funds (14,425) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 116,084 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 101,659 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - (2,293) (2,293) 2,293 - |
Total funds £ 4,996 42,082 41,780 88,858 99,010 6,566 105,576 (16,718) - (16,718) 118,377 101,659 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 9
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
6. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION
The Independent Examiner's remuneration amounts to £2,500 (2024 - £2,500).
7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| COST At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR VAT recoverable 9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Other creditors 10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Unrestricted funds At 1.4.24 £ General fund 101,659 TOTAL FUNDS 101,659 |
2025 £ 635 2025 £ 21,147 Net movement in funds 31.3.25 £ (3,024) (3,024) |
Office Equipment £ 14,361 14,361 - - 2024 £ 2,048 2024 £ 20,246 At £ 98,635 98,635 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 10
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 88,858 TOTAL FUNDS 88,858 Unrestricted funds General fund 90,704 TOTAL FUNDS 90,704 Comparatives for movement in funds Net movement At 1.4.23 in funds £ £ General fund 116,084 (16,718) Restricted funds Life Members' Funds 2,293 - TOTAL FUNDS 118,377 (16,718) |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (105,576) (16,718) (105,576) (16,718) (93,728) (3,024) (93,728) (3,024) Transfers between At funds 31.3.24 £ £ 2,293 101,659 (2,293) - - 101,659 |
|---|---|
continued...
Page 11
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
11. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Page 12
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations and legacies Other trading activities Subscriptions Sales of publications Project MUSE CDs Charitable activities Scottish Government Funding NWS Grant Other Grants Publishers' Licensing Services Other royalties Bank interest received Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Wages Pensions Cost of publications on sale Cost of publications on subscription Promotion Distribution Administration Bank charges and interest Other Conference expenses |
2025 £ 150 20,058 10,498 9,145 - 39,701 29,000 19,250 - 759 453 1,391 50,853 90,704 40,852 1,142 3,403 18,316 820 14,172 4,487 698 83,890 4,549 |
2024 £ 4,996 19,721 12,544 9,507 8 |
|---|---|---|
| 41,780 30,000 8,422 364 525 1,525 1,246 |
||
| 42,082 | ||
| 88,858 38,843 1,073 8,684 27,076 1,065 14,537 2,383 649 |
||
| 94,310 6,566 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 13
Association for Scottish Literary Studies
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Support costs Management Fixtures and fittings Governance costs Accountancy fees Total resources expended Net expenditure |
2025 £ - 5,289 93,728 (3,024) |
2024 £ 651 4,049 105,576 (16,718) |
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 14