Registered Charity No: SC010781
The Black Isle Charge
th
Accounts foryear ended 30 September 2025
Administrative Information
Principal Address:
The Black Isle Charge Rectory
1 Deans Road
Fortrose
IV10 8TJ
Charity Trustees
(Vestry Members)
FatherAlex Lane CJN, Rector of Black
Isle Charge
Isla Cruden (Vestry Secretary)
Sandie Evans
Alison Garraway
Lord Donald Graham
Dr Heather Ireland
Janet MacLennan
Gillian Newman
Lay Reps
Joan Deakin
Dr Jean Davis
Dr Helen Robinson
Alt Lay Reps
Ann Danson
Trish McKeggie
Craig Simms
Honorary Treasurer
Peter Furniss ACMA CGMA
Bankers
Bank of Scotland
2- 6 Eastgate
Inverness
IV2 3NA
Independent Examiner
Brian Spence BA CA
18 Academy Street
Fortrose
IV10 8TW

Annual Report of the Members ofthe Vestry
The rn¢mb¢rs of the Vesty are pleased to present their annual report together
th
with their financial statements for the year ended 30 September 202).
Structure and Governance
In ternis of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the
Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, the Vestry reports to the
congregation as follows.
l. The Black Isle ChargJe is a regyistered Scottish Charity (SC010781)
2. It is a memb¢r of the Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness of the Scottish Episcopal
Church and is in full communion with the Anglican Church.
3. The superior authority is the Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness
4. All of ils affair8 are governed by the Vestry Members
Appolntment ofvestry Members
Vestry members are elected or appoinled by the Annual General Meeting established by
constitution and under Canon Law of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Th¢r¢ is no formal
induction programme for Vestry Members but ongoing guidance is given. Ihrough th¢
Vestry Secre1Ary passing on information, to ensure ihat Vestry membets arc familiar wth
the Church-'s values, ¢iiills and responsibilities as the designated trustees of a charily. AII
members of the Vestry have signed a Declaration stating that they are not diSq￿lif1¢d from
acting as a Charity truste¢ in tem15 of Section 69 and 79 of the Charities and Trust¢¢
Investment {Scotland) Act 2005. The signed declaralions are held by the Vesfry Secretary.
Administrative Structure
It is the duty of the Vestry to manage and safeguard the assets of the church and assist the
Rector in matters affecting Ihe spiritudl welfare of the congregation. Thev are also
responsible for k¢¢ping' proper accounting records and en.8uring the accounts are prepared
in accordance ￿'Ith the tcnns of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Alt 2005
and the Charilies Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The Vestry considers the risks faced
by. the Black Isle Charge and ensures that proper risk management procedures are in place
to mitigate those risk%.
Charitable Objectives and Activities
Th¢ Church's principal activities include public worship in sacnunent and prayer, Christian
educalion, charitable work and fundraising for local, national and international needs and
social meetings for all age groups within the church and the wider commwiity.
Page 1

Achievements and Performance
l am pleased to report that OUT newly appointed Rector joined us on I" Febnwy 2025. Our
previous Rector was in post for fourt¢¢n years and our neTh' Rector. Fr Alex Lane, has built on
the previously" good work of his predecessor by introducing a number of changes ￿,hICh are
already havingl a very positive impact boih in respect of the fomiat of services and nuniber
held eaLh week, in particular at our Churches tn Fortrose and Cromarty.
In 2024 the Vesiry Committee had already arranged for a bToadband connection to be made
to St Andrews Church in Fortrose with the intention of providingJ a streamingT service for the
benefit of thos¢ who have difficulty in regularly alL¢nding services, dnd also to introduce a
Surn Up payment facility so that visitors to the Chiirch can casily make a donation using
cards or mobile phones. Under Fr Alex's stewardship thcsc have now been introduccd in both
St Andrew's Church in Fortrose and St Regulus Church in Cromarty.
Also, a newly installed more versatile printing machine enables order of service booklets to
be provided ￿,hIch are much easier for congr¢galion members to follow and are noNN' in use al
all three of our Churches.
Our regular fund-raising activities are spear h¢ad¢d by our Charity Shop based Èn Fortrose
which is well Supported by the local community and by many holidaymakers who visit the
area during thc summer. There are plans to install a Sum up facility in the Charity Shop
although the nalure of the building is making this difficult to 4ichieve quickl}'. Our other
fundraising activitics include attendance al Sl Boniface Fair and The Black Isle show for the
first time this year: both of which are held in August of each year. With the aid of member
donations, the Charge has invested in two suitably inscribed g(￿ebOeS to identify and attract
extra interest.
In respect of our work for the Cornmunit51 wc haiie conlinued to hold a service in the Eilean
Dubh care home in Fortrose. The service is augmented by our small choir from St Andrews
Church. Additionally, the Fortrose and Rosemarkie F'riendship Club continues to hold its
fortnightl?. meetings throughout most of th¢ year. Our leam of volunteers from all thre¢ of our
Churches continue to fund-raise throughout the year for the Blythewood Care Chartty and
this )'ear they malched l(ISt year's pertorniance of filling 550 boxes, the majorit! of which
were shipped to Ukraine.
St Andrew's Church has an oil-fired central boiler which, although still very etTictent, is not
acceptable for Net Zero. Work has now commenced on finding a suitable alternative means
of heating. This is not proving an easy task given the church is of a traditional siyle and is
200 years old in the coming year. It ts vcry important that we keep our congregations warm in
our cold winiers but equ(illy, we rnusl not in any way detract from the exisling fealiires of this
beautiful Church. This remains an important challenge for the Vesiry Comrnittee in the
coming year.
The considerable achievements in the last year are the result of the untiring work of membcrs
of the Vestry Committee together ll.'ith the support by so many members of our three
congregations. Special thanks are given to Fr Alex together with our retired ministers Rev
Christine Mylne and Fr Arthur Sinclair and to the lay members who act as servers at our
services.
Page 2

Financial Review
The summary of the receipts and paymenls, as ststed on page 5 of the accounts. shows an
overall deficit for the year of £26:426 compared to a surplus of £30,372 last year. It should be
noted that the Inte￿egnuM is entirely responsibl¢ for the unusual patterns of both income and
expenditure that are now reported and are fully in line with ¢xpcctalions.
Invome showed dn increase over lasl year partly from the sale of unil trusl investments
(£10,000) to meet the cost of quinquennial inspections at St Andrews and St Regulus
Churches. In addition, donations, including gift aid, increased by about £12.000 to provide
funding for the one-off streaming project at St Andrews Church and the purchase of two
gazebos for use at fundraising events such as St Boniface Fair, and the Black Isle Show.
Compared to last year expenditure increased by £89,31 l. There was an increase of £29,645 in
respect of stipend costs and expenses and a further £34:557 on Refurbishment of the Rectory
and Removal Costs in r¢spect of Fr Alec. Purchases of additional unit trust investment
accounted for a further £1 0,000. Much of the increased cosl were funded from cost savings in
the previous year and is non-recurring.
As anticipaied our net assets stated on page 6 reduced by £22,222 from £75,527 to £53.305.
Most of this movement retlects the income and expenditure transactions during year. There
were purchases and sale ol. our unit trust holdings. Each of these being £1 0.000. offset one
another. However, it is pleasingy to note that there was an increase in the markel valll¢ of our
holding of £4,194 during the year, helping to mainlain our ov¢rall asset valu¢ above £50,000.
The arrival of our new Rector provides the opportunity to prepare budgets reflecting
necessary changes for the successful continuation of the Charge. Our costs are unlikely to
reduce with the demands of net zero and other essential maintenance improTrernents required
because of th¢ Quinquennial Reports. Our ever-present priority against the backdrop of staiic
and aging congregatÉon numbers. will be to seek more innovative mechanisms for raisin
income to meet the Challenges looming ahead.
Reserves
The Vesty Committee has adopted a policy of trying to maintain a level of unrestricted
reserves such that in the event of a significant drop in income. the church would be able to
maintain its current level of activities for a reasonable period until replacement funding can be
obtained.
Conclusion
The Members of the Vestry would like to thank all those who contribute their time, energy and
money so generously to ensure the continuation and development of the Black Isle Charge as
a centre of worship and focus for the community.
On behalf of the Trustees
JSQ
Isla Cruden - Vestry Secretary
9 June 2026
Page 3

Independent Examiners Report to the Vestry members of the Black Isle
Charge for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
I report on the financial ststements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2025
which are s¢t out on pages 5 to 8.
Respective responsibilities of Vestry Members and examiner
The Church's Vestry mcrnbers are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in
accordance with the temis of the Charilies and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 ('Ihe
2005 Act") and ￿'ith ihe tern]s ot the Charities AcLounts (Scoiland) Regulations 2006 las
amended) ("the 2006 Regyulations"). The Church's members of the vestry consider that the
audit requirement ot. Re&Julation 10( I )(d) of the 2006 Regulations does not appl},. It is my
responsibility to examine th¢ accounts as required under section 44(1)(c) of the 2005 Act and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's statemenl
M}. examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation I l of the 2006 Regulations. An
examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison
of the accounls presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual
items or disclosures in the accounts seeks explanations from the trustees concerning 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 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
requircmcnts
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act
and R¢gulation 4 of the 2006 Regulations, and
to pr¢pare acc()unts which accord with accounting records and eompl), with
Regulation 9 of the 2006 Regulations have noi been met. or
2. 10 which, in my opinion. attention should be dra￿￿ in ord¢r to ¢nabl¢ a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Brian W. Spence B
18 Academy Slreei
Fortrose
IVIO 8TW
CA
Date: .
Pagye 4

Tha Black l$l• Charge
ststtments of Rgcfrlpts and Payments for the Year ending 30 sept8M￿r 2025
2025
2024
Notes Un-rostri¢ted Rostrictsd
Totsl
Receipts
Donations
Receipts from FundraisingActivities
Receipts from Investments (including sales)
Other Income incl. Council tax tsfunds
81.422
10,230
11,587
8,954
110.193
400
81.822
10,230
11,587
6.954
110,593
69,787
10.381
1,103
4,034
85.305
io
400
Payments
Payments Relatingto Charitable Activitie5
Costs relatingto new RectorAppoiniment
Expenses for FundralsingActivities
Gran15 and Donations
Unit Trust Purchases
li
87,760
34,547
3,332
1,370
10.000
137,009
87.760
34,547
2,332
1.370
10,000
137.009
47.403
3,061
2,789
1,680
li
li
12
13
54,9
Surplu$l- Deficit for Year
-26,816
400
-26,416
30.372
The notes on page5 7 & 8 form an integral part of these accounts and provide further analysis .
of the above totals
Page 5

The Black Isle Charge
Statement of Balances as al 30.September 2025
2025
Un-restricted Restricted
2024
Notes
Total
Funds Reconciliation
Cash at bank
Balance at Beglnnlngof Year
Surplusl- Deficitfof Year
Balance as at 30.09.2025
31,962
-26,816
5,146
4,884
400
36,846
-26,416
10.430
8.474
30,372
36,846
5,284
Investments (SEC Unit Trust Pool)
Market value at Beginning of Year
Purchases during the year
Gross valuatlon after purchases
Disposals duringthe year
Netvaluation after disposals
Increase in Market Value in year
Market Value at End of Year
38,681
10,000
d8,681
10,000
38,681
4,194
42,875
38,681
10,000
48,681
10,000
38.681
4,194
42,875
33.567
13
33,567
33,567
5,114
38,681
TotalAssets
48,021
5,284
53,305
75,527
Fund Balances
At Beginning of Year
Total Surplusl- Deflcll foryear
Movement in Investments
70.643
-26,816
4,194
4.884
400
75,527
-26,416
4,194
40,041
30,372
5.114
Balance as at 30.09.2025
48,021
5,284
53,305
75,527
Restricted Fun(Js
Balance Brought Forward
Donations and Grants received in yeai
Costs in current year
Balance Carried Fomard
4.884.00
400.00
0.00
5,284.OLI
4,484.00
400.00
0.00
4,884.00
Cash at Bank
Investments
5,284
0.00
4,884.00
0.00
4,884.00
5,284.00
The notes on pages 7 & 8 form an integral part of these accounts.
Statement oftheTrustees
The accounts as laid out on pages 5 to 8 01 these Financial Statements were approved bythe
Board of Trustees on the 9 June 2026
gd. Q_
Signed On Behalf of the Boarcl
Page 6

The Black Isle Charge
N¢tss to the Accounts for the year •nded 30 sèptèM￿r 2026
1 8a818 of Accountlng
These accounts have beern prepared on the Receipts & Payments basis in accordance
with the Charities & Trustee Investment Iscoliandl Act 2005 and the CharitiesAccount5
(Scotlandl Regulations 2006 las amended).
2 Naturè and purpo$• of fund$
Unreslricted funds are thoselhat may be used at the discretion of theirusiees in furtherance
of the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specthed by the donor or when funds 8
raised for a 8pecAfic purpose.
During the y•ar a Stewafdship Grant of £400 was received and added to the Non Spe(3r
General Reserve. The latter is being m8inl8inèd to Cover 8ny unexpected repair expenditure
or for fijture net zero project$.
The reslrKted fund at the 30 September 2025 now stands al t5.284 matje up as follows..
2025
2024
Non Specific General ReseNe
Weffaro Fund
4.036
1.248
5,284
3.636
1.248
4,884
3 Related Party Transaction$
Followingthe retirement of the Rectorollhe Black Isle Charge on 30 September 2023. there
were no salary, pensk)n or 6xp8n$e8 to ieport for 2023-24. Fr Alex Lane joined us on 1st
Febmary 2025 50 the Rectors salary and penslon and gxpenses fewted for 2025 are for
the eight months to 30 September 2025
2025
2024
Rectors Salary and Pension
Rectors Expenses
27,904
1,741
29,645
No remuneiation orexpenses were paid to anyothertrusrees. orlo anyconneoled persons
during the year12024 ." Nill.
4 Investsnents ISEC Unit Trust Pool)
The market value ol invèstments al 30th September 2025 has been calculated using th¢ unlt
prl¢e as advised bythe Scottish Episcopal Church UnitTrust Pool.
Additional purchases toialling£lO,000 were made on l October 2024. Following
Quinquefjnial inspecth)ns at St Andrews and Sl Regulus Churches in Juty 2025 it was
necessary to dispos$ of £10,000 investment$ to fund their CXJSt plus remedlal work.
Thè Market Value of our Investments 8130 September 2025 wa5 £42,875 12024, £38,8611.
5 Gift Aid Receipts
During the year daim$ for 9fft aKI We￿ made on a quarterty basks. This process ensuie$
that a full year of gift aid income appèars in any Onè year. The annual figures also include gtft
aid on cash payment ttems bèlow £20 claimed on an annual basis at the 6nd of the fis￿1 year.
6 Bank Account
The Charge's bank account is held wth Bank of Scotland, Cty Branch. Invefness.
Page 7

Th8 Black Isle Charge
Notes io thg A¢¢c*unts for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
2025
20241
irted Restricted Total
7 Donatlon8
CongregationalGiving
64Y2
16,740
140
64.542
16.740
140
53.423
IS.964
400
WeddinglFunèiaVChri5teningDonatlOn5
81,422
81.422
69.787
8 Receipt from fund ralslng acti¥lUe8
Charity Shop
St Bonilace Fair
Oiher Fund Raising
8,414
706
8,414
8,91S
750
716
10.230
10,230
10.381
9 Investment Income
Unil Trust Investment Sales
UnilTrust Divioends
10,000
1.587
11,567
10.000
1,587
11,587
1.103
1.103
10 other Income
Stewardship Grant
Refund re Overpaid Council Tax
ishop's Lenten Appeal Pr¢￿e￿$ Collected
Sl Regulus Carol Serwlc8 Donatson
S$le of Pews re Sl Andrews & St Regulus
Southern Sudan Appe81 Income Colle¢led
Interregnum Thank you Gifts lo Volunteers Collected
(Xher Re¢eipts
400
4,631
610
400
4.631
610
295
825
495
200
870
348
6.954
495
200
670
348
7,354
2.514
4.034
400
11 Payments relating to Charitable AGtivitye5
Re¢tor's Emoluments
RÈctor's Expense5
Cloryy Deputising Costs
Rectorycosis
Church Opeoting Cost5
Quota- Diocese ol Noiay
Charity Shop- operating costs
Rector Recruitment and Appoiniment Cos
Re¢tory Refurbishment Costs
New Rector Rernoval Costs
New RetlDr Institution Costs l Feb 2025
Streaming Equip Sl Andrew51 Funded by Oonalionsl
Bla&< Isle Show (Largely Funded by DOnat￿nSI
Inteiregnum Gffts 10 Volunteers (See Income)
Other Sundry Items
27.904
1.741
4,821
8.469
29.507
9,264
3,332
27,￿4
1,741
4,821
6,469
29,507
9,264
3,332
7,784
9,038
20,370
8,053
2,789
19,679
12.590
2.288
3,048
3,740
670
19.679
12.590
2,288
3,048
3.740
670
586
125.839
2,000
2.158
53.253
125,639
12 Grants and Dona¢ion$ Made
SOMA
Adopt a Chil
Bi$hop's Lenten N4)P881 Payment
St Regulus Carol Service DonatK)n
South Sudan Appeal
200
200
360
610
200
360
295
825
610
200
1,370
200
1.370
1.680
13 UnltTru5t Purchas88 l Octotw 2024
10,000
10.000
Page 8