New Makars Trust SC026886
Trustees Annual Report for the year ending 31 May 2026
Principal Address 30 Pitcorthie Road
Dunfermline
Fife
KY11 8DR
Charitable Purposes
The charity's principal objective during the year continued to be the advancement of public education concerning the past and present life of Scottish communities, expressed in song, by developing and promoting the public's understanding, appreciation and awareness of such life.
Trust action during the year
The Trust began to discuss reviving activities during the year, after being inactive and technically dormant for several years, being spurred into action by the sudden death of Convener Robin Laing in November 2025, and the inability of Secretary Gifford Lind to take part in the Trust’s work. The remaining active Trust members, Billy Stewart, Scott Murray and Treasurer Ewan McVicar agreed the following steps: A] follow the necessary steps with the Trust’s banker, the Bank of Scotland, to make the bank account funds accessible for use by Billy Stewart and Ewan McVicar as individual account signatories,
B] take action towards disbursing 2/3s of the Trust’s funds to support action by other charitable organisations to fund work by local Scottish songmakers that fits the Trust’s objectives, as follows,
C] £3000 to be given to TRACS to support local songmakers in various People’s Parish projects around Scotland,
D] £3000 to be given to Lanarkshire Songwriters for events and recordings as appropriate to celebrate the life and work of Robin Laing, a key member of and contributor to both the New Makars Trust and the Lanarkshire Songwriters, E] the balance of Trust funds to be held in hand meantime, for further action consideration.
This report was approved by the trustees on [18[th ] June 2026] and signed on their behalf.
Ewan McVicar (Trustee and Treasurer) [date 20th June 2026]
UPDATED ACTION REPORT AT 19[TH] JULY 2026 In mid July Trustees McVicar, Stewart and Murray discussed action towards the winding down of the Trust. It was agreed that £1000 of the balance of £3787.70 banked funds remaining should be be disbursed as follows.
A] Jim MacLean, noted Scottish songwriter, be asked to nominate a Scottish charity with similar aims to the Trust, to receive a donation of £500 in MacLean’s name. He nominated Celtic Music Radio, an FM, DAB and online radio station based in Glasgow which features Scottish and other traditional and new songs and music.
B] Iain Anderson, longtime broadcaster on BBC Scotland featuring Scottish and other traditional and new songs, be also invited to nominate a Scottish charity with similar aims to the Trust. He nominated Hands Up For Trad, which runs various projects and events featuring Scottish traditional and new songs and music. C] Payment was made to Celtic Music Radio on 18[th] July, and to Hands Up For Trad on 19[th] July.
D] The trustees agreed that the balance of £2787.07 should go to Celtic Music Radio, once a] a letter is got from CMR confirming their suitability by quoting from their [## aims] and showing they are [get text from form!], and b] [org] have [quote text]
New Makars Trust SC026886
Statement of Balances as at 31 May 2026
| 2025/2026 | 2024/2025 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Cash at bank and in hand | ||
| Bank opening balance at 1 | 9670.07 | 9670.07 |
| June 2025 | ||
| Net Expenditure for the | 6000.00 | Nil |
| year (Grants of £3000 each | ||
| made to Lanarkshire | ||
| Songwriters and to | ||
| TRACS) | ||
| Bank closing balance at 31 | 3670.07 | 9670.07 |
| May 2026 | ||
| Other assets | ||
| Stock | ||
| Supply of CDs | Nil | Nil |
| Other materials | Nil | Nil |
All funds are unrestricted.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The charity trustees are satisfied that the audit requirements of Regulation 101(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations do not apply.
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf.
Ewan McVicar (Trustee and Treasurer) 2[nd] June 2026