North Queensferry Heritage Trust
SCIO SC019966
Trustees Report &
Financial Statements
31[st] December 2025
Trustees Report 2025
Registered Charity Name: North Queensferry Heritage Trust Charity Number: SC019966
Trustees: James Lawson Garry Irvine Pamela Bell Iain G. Mitchell KC Bruce Finlayson Barbara McKechnie
Independent Financial Examiner:
Sue Jack
Fife Voluntary Action Caledonia House, Pentland Park, Saltire Centre Glenrothes KY6 2AL
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting their annual report and financial statement as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), for the year ending 31 December 2025. This report follows the 2006 recommendations of The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is a SCIO whose purposes and administration arrangements are set out in its constitution dated 7 March 2023. Our registered charity number is SC019966.
All of the trustees are appointed or reappointed by members at our Annual General Meeting each year.
The induction process for new Trustees includes meeting the current Trustees who will brief the new Trustee on the role and operation of the charity, present them with a copy of the constitution and explain its terms and also explain their duties and responsibilities in terms of the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.
Objectives
Our objectives, as recorded in our constitution, are to stimulate public interest in and care for the history, character and beauty of the ancient village of North Queensferry and its immediate surroundings.
More information can be found on the website www.nqht.org, info@nqht.org and Facebook . North Queensferry Heritage Trust, The Station, Ferryhills Road, North Queensferry, KY11 1HE
Activities, Achievements and Performance
The Trustees continued to plan events and exhibitions that promote the history, character and beauty of the area as illustrated below:
All our venues continue to be popular and in particular the Forth Bridges Lighthouse Museum - our Light Tower where there has been a noticeable increase in visitors wishing to ‘light the lamp’ for a 'good' donation, following the Trust’s media advertising policy. Another important source of income for the Trust are the many donations that are received throughout the year. In keeping with other museums, we see a higher percentage of non-cash donations being received online and via QR code donation triggers.
The Trustees continued to meet regularly with our Mentor on ‘working towards accreditation’ for the ‘Forth Bridges Lighthouse Museum’ and the ‘Forth Bridges Heritage Centre’. The process, as per Spectrum from Grantium, with the help from several new volunteers taken on as a result of MGS supported promotion, we are deep in the digitization of the Trust’s collection. As per last year, the Trustees have been much encouraged by the positive comments left in our railway station and light tower visitor books. With these comments, the Heritage Trust is encouraged that visitors enjoy and appreciate our efforts in educating them into our rich industrial and cultural heritage.
The Book Exchange facility located in the old Telephone Kiosk has also continued to be popular with many residents contributing a wide range of books and magazines - both for children and older readers. We share the books and magazines between the Station Gallery's book swap area and the Kiosk. This BT Phonebox started as a children's book swap, but has morphed into a more general purpose book swap and information kiosk. Plans are afoot to further develop the shelving in the kiosk to allow better display of the many varied topics we are receiving.
The Trust’s ‘Forth Bridges Trail - Self Guided Walks’ brochure details several walks around the peninsula and continues to be very popular with visitors as well as many of the businesses on both sides of the Forth including Edinburgh who stock the brochure. By completing the circular walk that includes a short Forth Bridge train section, we offer a lovely certificate in exchange for a donation. This has also been popular and the secretary is continually being asked to send these certificates out to visitors far and wide who have completed the circular FB trail.
Visitors to the trust’s website www.nqht.org will again notice newly researched material which has become a main and invaluable source of heritage information within the North Queensferry Peninsula. Many thanks, again, go to Boyd Williamson for the time he has spent on development the huge amount of research that has been completed over the years.
As a member of the ‘Forth Bridge World Heritage Management Group' (FB-WHMG) the Heritage Trust represents North Queensferry, along with a representative from the Community Council, and Fife Council. This group is supported by the common tourism strategy of Fife Council and Edinburgh Council.
More information can be found on the website www.nqht.org, info@nqht.org and Facebook . North Queensferry Heritage Trust, The Station, Ferryhills Road, North Queensferry, KY11 1HE
The Trust was again delighted to stage the successful Village Show at the end of August, with a very appropriate 80th commemorative theme for the end of WW2. Thanks go to the many local residents who supplied much of the memorabilia and the Trust’s Ladies Group and volunteer committee members who organised the event. Donations of prizes were again much appreciated from local businesses, including… DoubleTree Hilton, Orocco Pier, ESC Packaging, Scotts Restaurant, Maid of the Forth, Forth Boat Tours and
Rankin's Bistro. Sarah Brown was again delighted to be our principal guest who kindly presented the various cups and prizes.
The Meeting Room at the station hosted two well received talks in October and November this year by Jackie Sangster from Historic Environment Scotland and local resident Boyd Williamson. Due to a series of unforeseen circumstances and cancellations, the Trust was not able to put on the planned number of talks earlier in the year. However, so far this current year of 2026, the Trust has successfully put on a number of talks.
The Trust published 3 newsletters in 2025... April, September and December to keep members up to date with the activities throughout the year.
The Trustees hope that 2026 will see a continued return of visitors to enjoy the local attractions to keep North Queensferry, a good place to live, along with a vibrant and friendly community. Also, the Trustees would very much like to thank all our members and volunteers who have contributed much of their time over 2025 that has ensured the Trust has continued to meet our constitutional objectives to serve the North Queensferry community.
Risk Assessment
The Trustees have conducted their review of the major risks and have taken steps to mitigate them. These include ensuring fire extinguishers and furniture arrangements are protected against fire risk. The CCTV system is still in operation and has proved valuable during episodes of vandalism we have experienced. Fortunately, we have not had any major vandalism during 2025.
Reserves
No specific amount has been allocated as a reserve. However, the trustees consider the bank balances will enable the Trust to continue at current subscription rates for the forthcoming year.
Responsibilities of the Committee
The law applicable to charities in Scotland requires the committee to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under the law, the committee has elected to prepare the financial statements following United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity and the surplus or deficit of the charity for each financial year.
Museums Gallery Scotland - Museum Accreditation
The Trust has gained a "working towards" accreditation status for both the Light Tower and the Station. Trustees meet regularly with our mentor. The main standard for all accredited museums is called Spectrum, as defined by Grantium, and ensures all museum collections in the UK are sustainable which is critical for on-going grant funding.
More information can be found on the website www.nqht.org, info@nqht.org and Facebook . North Queensferry Heritage Trust, The Station, Ferryhills Road, North Queensferry, KY11 1HE
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf...
More information can be found on the website www.nqht.org, info@nqht.org and Facebook . North Queensferry Heritage Trust, The Station, Ferryhills Road, North Queensferry, KY11 1HE
Financial Statement
In preparing these financial statements, the committee are required to:
-
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The committee are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” issued in March 2005 (SORP 2005), the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The committee is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Receipts and Payments Statement
| Notes | Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds |
Total 2025 |
Total 2024 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Membership – On-line | 175.00 | 175.00 | 178.00 | ||
| Membership - Cash | 20.00 | 20.00 | |||
| Grants | 1685.00 | 1,685.00 | |||
| Donations – On-line | 854.00 | 854.00 | 2,427.00 | ||
| Donations - Cash | 2,228.00 | 2,228.00 | |||
| Sales (souvenirs/DVS etc | |||||
| Village Show | 742.00 | 742.00 | 761.00 | ||
| Events | 14.00 | 14.00 | 24.00 | ||
| Station Room Hire | 120.00 | 120.00 | |||
| Gift Aid/Interest | 294.00 | 294.00 | 326.00 | ||
| Total Receipts | 4,447.00 | 1,685.00 | 6,132.00 | 3,716.00 | |
| Payments | |||||
| Cost of charitable activity | 6 | 2,971.00 | 2,971.00 | 2,603 |
More information can be found on the website www.nqht.org, info@nqht.org and Facebook . North Queensferry Heritage Trust, The Station, Ferryhills Road, North Queensferry, KY11 1HE
| Cost of fund raising | 7 | 304.00 | 304.00 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governance costs | 8 | 120.00 | 120.00 | ||
| Total Payments | 3,395.00 | 3,395.00 | 3550 | ||
| Surplus/(Deficit) | 1,052.00 | 1,685.00 | 2,737.00 | 919 |
Statement of Balances
| Unrestricte d Funds |
Restricte d Funds |
Total 2025 |
Total 2024 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash at Bank and in Hand at1stJanuary |
11,810.00 | 11,810.00 | 10,912 | ||
| Surplus / Deficit | 1,052.00 | 1685.00 | 2,737.00 | 1,113 | |
| Cash at bank and in hand at year end |
12,862.00 | 1,685.00 | 14,547.00 | 12,025 | |
| Represented by | |||||
| Cash | 76.00 | 215 | |||
| Commercial Instant Access | 4,310.00 | 2,001 | |||
| Charity Account | 225.0 0 |
148 | |||
| 32 day Notice account | 9,936.00 | 9,661 | |||
| 14,547.00 | 11,810 |
Notes to the Accounts
1. Basis of Accounting
These Accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities & Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
2. Nature and purpose of funds
Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. The trustees maintain a single unrestricted fund for the day to day running of the Trust. Restricted
More information can be found on the website www.nqht.org, info@nqht.org and Facebook . North Queensferry Heritage Trust, The Station, Ferryhills Road, North Queensferry, KY11 1HE
funds may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for specific purposes. During the year the Trust received zero restricted fund.
3. Related Party Transactions
The Trust’s insurance policy includes Trustee Indemnity Insurance for all its trustees.
4. Grants Received
Grants were received in this accounting year from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
- The donations received in this accounting year were from various sources.
6. Cost of Charitable Activity
| Unrestricte d Funds |
Restricted Funds |
Total 2025 |
Total 2024 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web design costs | 113.00 | 101.00 | ||
| Advertising | 54.00 | |||
| Broadband | 594.00 | 472.00 | ||
| Light tower maintenance | 65.00 | 9.00 | ||
| Light Tower Hub renovations |
113.00 | |||
| Insurance | 444.00 | 417.00 | ||
| Miscelleneous | 39.00 | |||
| Exhibition expenses (R) | 552.00 | 23.00 | ||
| Station related expenses | 1,011.00 | 1,240.0 0 |
||
| 2,946.00 | 2,603.00 |
7. Cost of Fund Raising
| 7. Cost of Fund Raising | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricte d Funds |
Restricted Funds |
Total 2025 |
Total 2024 |
|
| Event expenses | 61.00 | |||
| Village Show expenses | 243.00 | 302.00 | ||
| Total | 304.00 |
More information can be found on the website www.nqht.org, info@nqht.org and Facebook . North Queensferry Heritage Trust, The Station, Ferryhills Road, North Queensferry, KY11 1HE
8. Governance Costs
| 8. Governance Costs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricte d Funds |
Restricted Funds |
Total 2025 |
Total 2024 |
|
| Meeting and secretarial costs | ||||
| Independent examination | 120.00 | |||
| Total | 120.00 |
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf...
20th May 2026
More information can be found on the website www.nqht.org, info@nqht.org and Facebook . North Queensferry Heritage Trust, The Station, Ferryhills Road, North Queensferry, KY11 1HE
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The notes of the accounts form an integral part.
Notes to the Accounts
1. Basis of Accounting
These Accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities & Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
2. Nature and purpose of funds
Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. The trustees maintain a single unrestricted fund for the day to day running of the Trust. Restricted funds may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for specific purposes. During the year the Trust received zero restricted fund.
3. Related Party Transactions
The Trust’s insurance policy includes Trustee Indemnity Insurance for all its trustees.
4. Grants Received
Grants were received in this accounting year from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
- The donations received in this accounting year were from various sources.
6. Cost of Charitable Activity
22th May, 2026
More information can be found on the website www.nqht.org, info@nqht.org and Facebook . North Queensferry Heritage Trust, The Station, Ferryhills Road, North Queensferry, KY11 1HE