FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES. REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Scottish Charity No. . SC031541

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO
CHARITY INFORMATION
Trustees
General Manager
Charlty numbor
SC031541
Independent Examiner
Principal offi¢e address
Dundonald cast￿ Visrtor Centre
Winehouse Yett
Dundonald
South Ayrshi
KA2 9HD
Bankers
Virgin Money
30 The Foregate
IMamc￿k
KA1 1JH

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
CONTENTS
Page
Tfuslees. Report
Flnanclal Statement$
Independent Examinerfs report
Statement of financial actnritss
Balance sheet
Notes to the finarbctal statements

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The trustees present theÈr report and irtrdependently examined fin￿ClaI statementsloithe ye8r ended 31 D￿eMber. 2024.
The compafativè figures hava béen reslaled as these %%ere previously prepared on a cash basis and have now btren
pxepared on an aex*uals basis. in I￿ wth the 2024 fironcial statements.
al and AdmlnIstrati￿ Infomation
Friends of DLtndonald cast￿ was eststAi$hed 8$ 8 Scottish Charitatde Ir¢corporated Organisaliorl in 2014. 11 is recognised
as a charity by HM Revenue and Custorn$ arnl is registered with Ihe offi￿ ofthe Scotlish Charity Regulator.
Board of Trustees
The lolh)wing trust￿ seNed during thè financi81 year U￿$$ othenNise noted".
Chair
Vice-chair
Treasu¥er
Se￿tary lfrc¥m 15 Septembei 2024)
l¥esigned 15 September 2024)
There have beèn no changes in Trustees since the year*nd date.
Indepenrlent Examinèr
.Acc, C.A. of JRD LLP was apkX)irrte(18s Independent ExarnI￿r after the year-end date.
structure Govemance and Mana
Recrultment and Appolntment of Trustees
Tr¢Jstees a￿ idenlif*d and appointed xcording to Ihe conslllul￿.
Organlsatlonal Structure
The slrategic management and finartial govemarre rl Charity is Ihe legal respon￿bIlty of thè frustees per The
Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Ad 2CIJ5. fvll d&￿-t￿￿Y operational management delegaled to the
Gen&ral Manager. The General Manager reports to TTUStees at monlhty meetMI9S.
FO￿ Membeyship
As of 31 December 21r24, FODC has 181 p81d a(ANe 8nnu81 members. Tlws is a 57 % itNyeasÈ on membership nvmbers
in 2023 and an 88% increase on 2022.
Staff & Volunteer3
nlinues to be employ￿ as Genetsl Manager wTrth overall responsibility lor the mana9ernent of d8ily
op&ra
ions a
undonald Casle & Visitor Centrelcommunty Hub. She is responsible for ensuring that tha intemalional,
national and regional importance ol Dundonald Castle is re￿9nfSeQ. ackno￿edged and prOn￿ted and that 8xrAllen(* is
achieved in both the visitor e￿d Ihe community expe￿nce.
Thè Gèneral Manager leads on FODC'S extemal rdations ¥rith all stakelY&￿1$, partrers and ¢xrtside bodkgs. Repr&strnting
FODC in 2024. she sts on the Troon LcL21fly Planning Partr*rship-. Voluntary Actic￿ South Ayrshire's Employability and
Social Enterprise ForL¥ll,' Health and Wdlbeing Fotuffl IVWI", arKI Solrth AyTrhire Third Sector Chef Offteis. Monthly
Meetin
s responsible for Service delNery across all areas ensures that the KPI oflhe charity ara mgt. She works with
rustee Executive on fundraising Grant Ap￿le￿IK￿$ and oversees all site fundraising activrties.
The Gener8J Manager is responsible for the rnan4em8￿ of all staff vohjnteers. She Overs￿ FoDC'5 Management
Te8m16 part-b.me employees).
The MT lead on delwery of Se￿1￿ in.. Café., EdutslK)n: Events". Finance.. Retail.. Weddings & Plarketing
conty'nues as Weddings & Marketvig Manager and as FODC'S Artha￿logy Offi¢er.
is Bt8nch
ea
ero
the
yrshire Young Aichaeology Club. based at Dundonald Casue. sits on the YAC Steering Group for the
Gounol for BritL8h Archaeology and is an Archaeokryy Ambassador for Archaeology Scotland.
FoDC's Bookkeeper
upporls the acix)unlin9. rerK)rting fnanaal control athibes wllNn the charity.
5LJPPOrts the Treasurer and
eneral Manager in all areas of 8 finanad malter.
tinues as Café Mana9er wilh management oveTrigM on F￿aceman1 provision and [￿rY￿)leS th•
de¥elopment ol new cofflmunity groups wrthin our Commmty Hub.

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
FODC'S Education & Youth Office
ovetsees delNèry of our Edu(?1￿ Programme serves as
SafeguarditvJ Offieer, wlh ￿ldItiOnal responsiJilily
or museum devekjpment
ontlnUÈs 35 Reiail C(Kwdinaknr. wrth a remit lo sh)wcase bcal arfj$ts. art￿r￿ crafters.
Evenls Coordinalor
is reSw)n$1b￿ for the delvery of our Events Pt¢sramme.
FtsDG remains a key employer in Ihe wllagè of Dundonakl. wth staffiThJ In￿a￿n9 to 17 during the year. Our Cast19 8
Visitor Centre employees work as hol￿$ and bLLsiress needs th'clate.
In 2024 we secured and Supported three fijnded Thriwng Communities plaC￿Ents the EVOLVE programme. desvJned
to assist pa￿nIS return lo work. Addrtional furKling was seujred lo provide addii•)nal 6 n￿nth p5acements via the Thriving
Communities Employment Recruitment Inr£nb"¥e.
At the end of these programvnes two of the pl￿MentS accept￿ permar￿1 contra(ts b*ilh FO￿ and are le8m
members, whilsl the third used the skills and experiencE gatned to secure fvrther employrnent. The staffirrtJ secured helped
our charity to remain open seven days a week thrwghoul the wnter season.
OLW pla￿ment cdlaboralK)n with Thriving C￿￿[￿InItIeS further contnued wth the Work Out Programme, through whith
we provide a nurturing and supportNe efivrrorrfnent for youTrJ indri*Ju* as they enter the workforce.
Our volunteers ￿maIn absolutely integral lo all operatior6 within the charity. Ak¥)gside Oltr eleven volunteer trustees, who
are responwble for Ihe good govemarte of FODC. volunteers sw)port all area5 of service delivery. tour guiding.,
community hub clubs, groups and belri¢nditw." ￿treach.. Iv)$￿a￿ty.. ethxakn"on,' events. and weddings. as well as fvlure
planFhing and fundraising.
During Ihe year we were very grateful lo mtrcrtlure a rhw Vol￿teeT group to our rAoMsion.' ground and building
rna1n1enan￿.
In 2024 we were delighted to welcome newteam members. wttnessiThJ a sharp rise in ou¥ totsl volunteer number5 from 39
to 61 This irhcrease. due largely to word of moulh r￿m￿￿ndal*)n V￿ existWl9 vohjntéèrs. irnpacted all areas and was
especidty notable ￿ our tour ￿lding, o)mmunity h￿> ar¥J calé vobjnteer pools.
Our vdunleer calchrnent area has aL80 irtreased and 15 fK)w drawn frcrfn ￿losS Soulh Ayt5hiie, North Ayrshire East
Ayrshire. as wdl as Gjasgow.
Onyoing consultation dernorstrates how our voJLmteers aFyreuate having sud) a wide range of opportunities to
leam new skills and contribute lo wotk ofour tharity in a wekoming, safe and rey(thJl environrnenl.
Related Parties
There were no transactions thring the year belween the charity a rda18d paty of any Tnjstee. This is th&
exception of the disclosure at note 5 to Ihe ￿an¢￿1 ststements.
Mlsslon Statemènt
Friends of Dundonakl C8$11e SCIO (Fo￿) aim to prDtect the fulure of Royal Dundonald Castle by promoting the
understanding. enjoyrnent and educab.on of the publ￿ as to the his1(￿c￿ sIgnffiCa￿ ol (asve 8nd the surrounding
area. In acting as a community hub, we aim lo ￿n¥￿ve the commurity, in its widest sense. in prol8th.rq their heritage.
Our Stiatègic Aims have been idenlrfied as follo￿."
m 1: To ¢x)ntritxJte to the preSeNat￿n. understanding and appTecHtion of Ihe c2slle. and surrounthng archaeology,
landscape 8nd nalural herilage
m 2: To $uslain ond ¢onthnue to develop an %live Ar￿ innovative educa1￿ servKe
Alrn 3: To develop and sustain W￿espread UAnmunty ￿Page[r￿1 by al ages to use lh& lacilitE5. embracing individual
needs
Alm 4: To dèvelop visrtor ￿ntre business to ensure sustainxtrf.lty WKI ability lo Sup[￿ thè woth of ihe charty
Alm S.. To inspire people by d￿elop1￿j a museum and exh•)iliDn that interprets and celebrates tt)e intemathjna inportance
of Dundonald Caslle
Achlov•m•nts and Perfornian
Employer Excellence
In 2024, the General Manager ¥was invited 10 St Voluntary Acts"on So¢rth Ayrshre'a Employabilty and Sooal EntÈrprise
Forum. This ensures that national and regwnal developmenis the third secsor are discthsed. shared and
IMP￿￿ented by FODC in gwd t1￿ arKI that Lpst twlice contwiues tl be a com¢rslone ofthe chanty's Lverall￿$.

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
We are proud to continue to evid¢n¢e an extremely high employee retenb.on and do all we can to SUPPDrt our leam in all
aieas. We work hard lo support OUT Staffs personal (itCLrnStsnce5 and provide employment whth works with their other
responsibilities. Flexible wothing hours are offered to assist with addrts'onal employee commitments.. secondary
employmenl," ¢8ring roles.. parental re5ponsibilit*s. and to i*$t support the health and wellbein9 of au team membets.
alongside the business needs of the charity.
Eligible staff are automatically enrolled into our pension prc*Jramme.
The delivèry of identrfied. relevant and limety trainin9 for all staff and volunleers to supFwM individ￿15 in IheiT Toles across
all 8fe3s of operation remains a priority in 2024.
We remain grateful for support re¢enied from ACAS and oL￿t to SUPF#*I our drive lo maintain besl employment practice
throughout the chaiity.
Volunteer Excellence
FODC are holdèr5 of Voluntary Acti￿ Souih Ayrshire (VASA) Voluntw Friendly Awards. This Award recognises best
practice Èn how we support, valLte and indude our volunteers in the work of the charrty. VASA membership also enable8
s to advertise for volunteers and to a￿e$S training courses lor oui team.
As with our staffing. we aTe absolLrtety delighted to maintain a very hvJh volunleef Telention rate. especialty at a lime whèn
many third sector organisations ale finding the recruitment and retent￿n of volunteers to be particularly chall8n9ing.
All oui volunteers, ran9ing in age from 8 to 95, play key roles not only in the delNery ol Ouf seNices to our castle visitors
and ccmmunity hub regulars, but are integi81 to our c4Y￿￿1t8l1Ons, deasion making and future development plans for the
charity.
In 2024 many of our volunteers were nominated and receNed South Ayrshir¢ Voluntary Action Awards ISAVAI 81
glittering Awards Ceremony on 6 June. These awards FÈcogntse and reward vdunteers for their invaluable work within
South Ayrshire communiti'es. Awards are presented to vcdunteers commensurate with their length of volunteering servi¢e,'
Bfonze11-5 years voFunleeringl.' SI￿eT(S-l0 yearsl- Gold111>15 years) and Lrfetirne11&30 years). FODC were honoured
to h8v¢ volunleers recDgnised in all categories, testimony tothe irKxedible hardwork, dedication and SuP￿rt our volunteers
delNer daity lor FODC.
Health & Wellbelng
Supporting the heamh and wellbeing ofall our team rernwns a piiority for FODC and our Gener81 Manager was delighted
throughout 2024 to be invtted to represent our charity and sit on SoLth Ayrshire'5 Health and Wellbeing F(xum (VASAI.
This forum is irhvaluatrAe for InforMats￿ and resource sharing within the third seciorto help charrt*s best support the health
and wellbeing oflheirteams. FODC were atsoplea5ed to be rewesented attheverywell-attended South Ayrshire Wellbejng
Pledge Shtswcase in 2024.
Our team are conwlted on am devetownents aTrJ rwi opefat¥)nal Regular support for all staff aTr
volunteers, team meetsngs and debiiets. and c￿￿On-One check ins continue in all operational are85. wth additional
wellbwng support offeTed through the complèb.on of indivi(kJal Wdlr*ss Action Plans.
New training needs, identifJ8d by the tearn are acted upon lo support team nEmbers aThJ to enhance the experience of
nd our engagement wth our east￿ wsit0￿ and IcKal r￿Munity. Dementia Awareness training was delivered by
Alzheimerfs Scotland. wth whom we partnwed lo set up a weekty Back ￿ Time Dementia Café. Neurodivergence
Awareness ITaining was delivered to the team by Nest to benefit and support the team and our operations.
In addilion, new monthly Team Welbeing Wdks, o￿n and Ifee to all and led by a volunteer trustee, werp piloted on our
grovntls.
External Partnerships
The Gen¢ral Manager ¢ontinue5 to work dosety ￿th 811 ex¢wn81 partners induding Historic Environmenl Scotland IHESI,
South Ayrshire Council (SAC), Visit Scolland WSI. Museums Galle￿S Scotland IMGSI. Voluntary Aclion South Ayrshire
ASAI as wel as kxal businesses numerous thwd sector. heritag* and crynmunty organisat¥)n$.
Environment Scotland
HES
Our un1que and successful model of opèr3li(x)s at DuTrJonald Castle & Vtsitor Centrelcommunity Hub is consistently held
by ovr colleagues al HES as an exernplary partnership site. We a￿ 3¢￿noW1ed9ed as delivertng a first-class visitor
experEnce, excellence via our Communrty Heritage and Education Prcgramme and exceptional community engagement
Ihroughoul the year ￿t￿n a visitor operati￿S setling.
Meeting all key criteria in HES'S nab.onal Responsible Tourism Framels￿rk arKI bwng recognised for our lèvel of vibrant
community engagement, FODC wefe dwn in 2¢Y24 to pdot Ihe HES Communty Engagement and Climate Ghange
Projecl. Two community focus groups of invited guesls were convened with cross demographic ￿pres￿n￿lI0￿ of our
community, local organisations and FODC membership. These gyovps faalitated communrty input into HES
resources to infomi and plan for1he unpact of dimate thange on the Caslle and Property in Care, tlbe first in the country
lo trial this approach. It is intended ttbal this prcyect will be rolled out by HES a(xoss S￿tland
The FODC-HES partnership gces from *ierYJth lo strength and al at FODC a￿ very gratefvl for the continued SLWPOrt and
expèrtise of our colleagues at HES Ihroughoui the year.

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Museums Galleries Scottand
2024 saw a growth in slakehol(lef engagemwrt with MGS and a resLFttart irtreasè H) $UPWrt for our charity, specifical
via MGS Markets'ng. Constructive discu&8ions also commenc8Jwilh MGS Learning and Eng89ement andwith the Museum
AccreditatDn team as ￿lt[lI first steps were tsken the joumey to accredrtatitsn of our community museum.
th A rshire Counul
SAC
Mutually beneficial relalions with ScwJth AyFshirè cou￿1 were signfficantty expanded in 2024 with new relat￿$ forged
with elected representatbves, local councillors, the ￿[pOrate leade￿I4'p team and ￿UncH officers. many of whom regularly
visit us onsile. Throughout 2024, we worked with a number of SAC Pofffolio holders in key areas (Economic
Regeneration,. Tourism. Cutture and Rural Affairs) and inueased Servi￿ CLJllaboralion wilh officers (Thriving Communities.
C(xnrnunity Wealth Building, Destt"nation ScMAh Ayrshire. Ayrshi¥e Roads Alliance and the Criminal Justice Teaml.
A key objecliye has b￿￿ raising awareness ol Ihe imwXtan￿ of Dwdonald Casue as a major tourist attracthjn in South
Ayrshire and the impac¢ of OUTwork on both the v￿ltor ecorDmy I￿1 community servKXS.
FODC were honourèd to be sewed as a s￿Jth Ayrshira Counol Ca$? st￿ty lo showcase Comrnunty Wealth Building
bèst praclice. Our onsile inlerview was r￿Med and presenled at The Ayrshire Regional Economsc Strategy launched
in Jurse. The strategy will seè the three Cwncils workin9 Iccal partnèrs to deliver meaningful and ongoing econom
regeneration Ihrovghout the I￿1C￿.
We were delighted lo secute fijnding lo support ThiivirvJ CoMmunit￿S famil￿$ to provKJe taitsred outreach bèspoke
events indudin9 edUth￿￿ days. guided Outdo￿ walk5, Iheatie events. Mason's Maiks Sutvey engagerTwI. fflovvè nights
al the c3slle aThY a wcmen's walking grtsup.
For the first lime FOOC liased wlh Paths for and thè Adive Toufsm Forum to discuss the need for a nèw communrty
bridge. This initiatNe to link an improved path on SAC land wth a recAnUy reinststed FODC path in thè Property an Care
was driven by communty IleTrwnd. All We￿ [￿lighted when an a0(Y￿1ble bridge was built in Ihe ajturnn. parlnered and
gifted by Story Contra￿ing and South AyrshireCtyJnol ARA
ed open￿9 ce￿M(￿)y was held in December
to unveil the Mcauiston 8ridge." rlavned afterourvice Chair
he instwjaior oflhe proposa. This was a very
speaal event for our charty, being attended ty six FODC
olunleers and 5panniThJ 4 genefations of IhÈ family
IAppendix 11.
The McQuislon Bridge has proven hugety popularwith castle visitots. kKaLs, walkers and dog walkets WIKI enjoy improved
aC￿sS to our low level. more ￿SsIble rwnslated pah. alcrysK1e I￿rease￿ walking optior6. Providing aeeess lo wildlife
and opening up views of the ￿SlIe. village and SSSI woodlands Irom ￿ vantage KK)ints is much appreciated. It has also
allowed us to infom)ally create shorter. more eagly accessed walks lor those vhlh limrted mobility. A sincere thank you to
our partners ar￿ stake￿Ide(S for brin9iro this wopos* to frLAtW￿.
vI￿t Scotland
vs
Our professionally supportwe relation5hipwithw￿lt Scotland continuesaswe stiive lo meel best practise in tx)th ourvisilor
expenence and our dI￿tal &N)gagernenl portlolio. As a key staket%)Ider. reLqbons wlh Vis¢t Scotland were 8nhanced and a
numbtrr of areas idenbffied for 5UPP)rt devdopmwtt. notsbty trave¥traJe. overseas markets and matheling.
In 2024 we took part in Ihe final round of Visrt Scotland's Qualily Assurar￿ Scherne and were pleased to retain our 4"
retention 85 8 visitor 8ttr8ctKJn.
In 2024 FODC were delighted to be nominated by extemal slekehdde￿ and partners for prestigh)us Scottish Thistle
Awards, thè nalitsnal Iouri5m. events and hosptahty awards h05ted by Visit Scotland. Folltiwng the submissiC￿ of ftgorous
suptK)rting evidence and a robust Assessment Panel Interview by induslry leaders, FODC was shortlisted ancl invited to
gjttend the Regional Finals (Wesll covering 10 Gounol areas. Ag8•ist very strong compelitK)n. we were delighted to win
tha cel6brab.ng ThriV￿g Commur¥tEs Award (West RegDnl. at the Scx*th'sh Thisle Award8 Ceremony on 19 September.
On 21 November, a cmss sÈctK)n Of1￿ Fotc leam ateThled the Scotbsh This1￿ Awards National Finals in Glasgow. We
were absolutely thrilled to be annoUn￿d as Ihe 2024 Nat50nal Scott￿h Thislle Award Winners.. Celebraliry Thrivsng
Comrnunities. Against an incredibfy strong fiekl of very worthy. krger organisah.ons we ￿Ere overwhelmed lo If4"S
prestigious nats'onal award, voted lor by irKlustry leaders. This SLKte&s is teslmony to the d&lution and hard woth of our
lull team and the qualty ofour seNice delTvery. visrtor experience and comrnunty provision Wppendix 2). We ale indebted
to every membèr of th$ FODC t¢am for their continsjed suM)ort. ccxnrnitrnent and enthusihsm.
r of Commerce
Improving relations Wrth the business communty 15 a key objeclive for Iheth8rity and our rnernbership ofAyrshire Chamber
ofComm$ice 1$ prtsvin9 extremety be￿fi￿OI in kn"fitating relab'ons wrth the local Ayrsh4re bvsiness comrnunity. In August
we hosied the Charnber's monthly Connect neithing e¥ent at the cast￿ and Visitor Centrelcornmunity Hub, welcoming
alrnosl 50 members ofihe business ccmmunity. one olihe Chambers. best atlendgj monthly ConneLa nelworking rneeb.ngs
of 2024.
We were 31s0 pleased lo tske a stal for the lime at thè Ayrshire B2B Annual Businèss Week Exhibition. an excèllènt
marketing opportunity.
Iv

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
MT members also benèfitted from training (ppc¥lunitTres delNered throughout the year by the Chambei, induding a SALUS
Occupational Htrallh & Safety Training SessK¥) 8n NHS Stress Awareness ses￿on.. heamh and wellbeing wpport
which was thèn shared with our wider team.
Third Sector Herita
eandc
mmun
lions
As noted. ou¥ engagement with the third sector interf3￿ and kd, regional and nab.onal third sector organisation$
in¢re8$ed significantty during the year. In partI￿lar work wth VASA increased through representstron on the VASA
Employabilrty & Social Enterprise Forum.. Health & Wellbeing Forurn, taking part in the South Ayrshire Mental Heath
Sli8te9y Development Forum. and Third Setaor Chief Officer5. Monthly Meetings. We a150 fvlly support and in all ways
seek to implement the Health & Socia CatèNASWSAC 'Agetng Well Strategy. and have PTovided representation at Third
Sector Showcase events throughout the year.
In 2024 FODC ioined the Souih Ayrshire Sco"al Enlerprise Ne￿k ISASENI. a netsvOrk￿9, advoca￿ and signposting
organisation. We hosted a SASEN re9￿n31 group visit onsile aTrJ are benefrfting frLYn new relations wth other social
enterprises irh the region and beyond.
FODC continues to work dosely to colkboiate. support and assist indNidual local, Il¥"rd sector heritage and communty
organis8tions. In 2024 we met and shared ￿mIng with: Craufurdland Estates". Frrends of Crook5ton Castle., Dynarnic
Dunure," Ihe Gaiety Theatre (Ayrl. FrEnds ofthé Broath¥8y PreStr￿k. and Pres￿￿Ck Aviation Tours. amongst others.
Mernber5hip was tsken out for the Scoth"sh ComnKJnty Hentage AlItan￿ in 2024 and we partiapated in the Grassroots
Heritage in Scolland Roadshow, Glentrod HNe. in OctcA)er. At this event we welcomed the opportunity to share our
experier￿s with other community heritage organisations and to participate in collabot8t*ve discussions. to be fed in to
national heritage ieporbng IHESINational H8ritsge Lottery tundedl.
Relalh)ns have continued to strengthen wth Dundonald CommLmity Council IDCC) and FODC have. once again. made
representation at every DCC pubh"c medwig in 2024.
We C￿tInUe to partner closdy wth Dundonaky Primary Schfy)l throughout the year, hosting joint fundraising events and
SUPFK)rting the work of the Parent Counril. as well as With a Lqrge number of local groups and organisations in the villa9
and ￿yond.
Archaeolo
Scotland and th Counril for Brili8h Archaeo
FODC'S Memorandutn ol Agreement with Archaeology Scolland continues to rnvlualty benefft both parties and we remain
a repository for bespoke handliny tx)xe5 cxeated foi us by Archaeol¢yJy Scoyand. These support our Educati(
Programme, our Event5 Programme and our community gr￿p5 and hentage oulreath in¢tkattves.
Our Agreement wrth the Council for British Archaeology continue5 to recognise FODC as le3diTYJ the Ayrshire Young
Archaeolcoists. Club (YACI as an Affilklte Member of Ihe CBA YAC Nelwth*. Ayrshire YAC remasns the only YAC in soulh-
west Scotland.
National and Further Educati
n In
ions
For the first time in 2024 we soined the Induswe Recruiter Programme of Ihe Scottish Credit and Qualtffic8ts"on FTamework
ISCQFI. Through this we aim to supFKTrrt individuals looking to enter the empk>yrnent market p￿dging to" understand and
be able to compaie qualifvlions tsken in &otLand and elsewhere.. ensure we are recruiÈing al the wight level by
benchmarking oui job roles to the SCQF,. use SCQF levels when recfuiting. rather than specific qualifications (where
possible), and be open lo $kn11$ 8nd eXperi￿Ce irtstead of. ￿ as well as. qualifications at the reqUI￿d level. This initiative
will help us to navigate Scolland's ev0￿1ng qualikabons landscape and WKlens the pod of applicants by encouraging the
use of SCQF levels in job a￿erts.
As a result of this participation. FODC were featured as a case study in a SCQF pr￿t￿n31 v¥Jeo (Appendix 31.
Our previous collaboration with Ayrshire College cOntinl￿ a￿1 increased during the year. In 2024. FODC established a
new educational collaboration with Level 6 studènt5 from Ayrshire Cdlege, strengthening (wr role as a commutNty leaming
resouice. This partJ*rshsp was designed to support Ihe students in devÈk)ping their Praclul Abilit*s unrt. 8 course that
èncourages learners lo Collaborative￿ a PfojecL appty and refine praclical skills, and retlect on their devdopment
IhroLtghout the process.
This collaboration has not onty helped studenis gain harKJs-on experiencE and connect wth theii local heTitage. but has
8130 allowed FODC lo engage directty vrith the next generation of Jeamers. offeriny them insight into heritage interpretation,
tourism, and communrty engagern￿t in a Practical and inspiring way. It is hoped that the resourc85 ueated during the
project will be showcased on our website.
In 2024 FODC also served as case S￿dY fot Ayrshire College to high1￿ht how the College's courses can owi doc)rs lo
meaningful opportunities. Dundonakl Caslle was identthed as an kleal eXamF￿e of (x•mmunty-based leaming in action and
the case study allowed us to sh¢￿vraSe FODC'S ongoing c(Alaborab"on wrth Ayrshire College whil• prNding insght into
how fomier students contribute to loc31 heritage. edl￿tion. and tourism seth)r5.

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The Castl8
The 2024 annual HES castle insFed1￿1 d￿N8￿d extrpmdy complementary leedbxk on the wèll maintained upkeep ol
the castle by our tewll. A Stonewjrk InspectKXI of Ihe ¢a$11e a ROd¢f￿ Survey completed on CasNe Hill identified
no anomalies.
Universally pos*tive feedback h8s teen r￿Ved thrwhout the year on the work olthe grounds maintènance contractors
employed ty HES. with ground work carried oth to a vèry high stsndaril adding to the reputation of Dundonald Castle as
an extremety well-cared for site.
HES-FODC with AOC Arch8edogy. ￿ain partne￿d to (x)mnMJnty excavath)ns onsile from 21-28 September. The
excavations this year were advertised both by D¢g lil An¢J Hisloric Environment Scotland. resulting in a lai9e uptake in new
dig volunteers. The digs were fulty Subscribed and l￿e￿ibfy wdl SUpp￿ted by both the local community and visitors from
across the central bett.
In lolal we welcorned 131 volunteers onsite, 79 (lig volunteets and 52 school pupil part￿panIS. Across the week 843 total
volunteer hours were recorded. wlh exception￿ post excavab.on feedbad( receryed.
A Mediev81 ring unearthe(t by a mole and found by a previous vOlunt￿r rm Castle Hill in 2019. wènt 1hro￿h Treasure
Trove and we are delighted thal the ring is now in the safekeeping of Nalional Museums Scotland. In tt)Ilaboration wth
HES colleagues and NMS, a press release wa5 F55ued in 2024 and p￿ked up by media nationally and inlernallonalty.
As in previous years, OLFr Annual FODC-HES Partnetship meeb.ng was extremety p0S￿Ve and agreemenl reached across
811 areas of discuswon.
The Visitor Centre & Community Hub Café
munil Hub
Our comrnunity hub continues to delNer and expand our Provisi￿ and support for our local communrty and c8sUe visitors
alike. During 2024 our centre was firmty embedded &% the (xmnrnunity hub for Dundonald and su￿Ound1ng area and
ieco9nised as such by OUT cornmunity aThJ regulats, as well as our exiernal stakehdders. partnefs and fundets.
The hub is regislered and published Mi the Souih Ayrshwe DJ"re(lory {SAQVASAI as Ihe 'Cosy Spa(2, lor the village of
Dundonald and surrounding area. It is also a registe￿ meN*er of the Chally Café Scheme. the UK'S leading non-profit
organisation lackling loneliness.
Throughoul 2024 our hub conbnues to provKlè free and aoxssibje public C￿venIenceS for the vilL4ge ol Dundonald and
surrounding area. We provhje period pr0dL￿S through South Ayrshire coU￿11s, The Wee ￿rte B8g inrtlative for our
community and visitors. Duriro the year we impknienteil simple bul impactful upgrades to our toilet lacililies. including
dementia-triendly colour changes and curtaFn coverings for mirrows.
In 2024 FODC supported a number of nath.onal initiative5 to imprvve our seNices, jOFning the ScA)thsh Refill Scheme
providing free water refills for all requiring thi$ ser￿ce. We continue as regISte￿d memb8rs ol Breastfeeding Friendly
Scolland. Both Ihe Castle and Visrtor Centrelcommunity Hub rerna￿ as dog-lriendty venues, attr8dFng new visitors lo the
site who appreciate our'three barts and you're out poliry..
During 2024 our hub welcomed a wide cross sectKJn of our swety I￿1(*dIng older peop￿, velet8ns. siryJle parenis,
families, young people, people INing vthh disabl1￿leS and Feople experienang mental he8lth issues. The number of htsb
users increased signif￿nt￿ dunng tIE year from 22.756 in 2023 to an all-time high of 29.010 indiwduals in 2024.
Regular feedback and user surveys hBhlwht how essential il ts ihat c*Jr communty hub remwns open 74lays a week
throughout Ihe year (Appendix 41. Open anil accessibfe to all. we prowde a sale, frieThJty and IEaled space. and warm
wel¢x)me for all. irkclLtding anyone who may be lonely. vulnerable 01 ex￿lle￿iDg socaal isolation in our rural a￿8, wrth
limited public transport.
By offering individual and group a¢b.￿￿"e$ we hope to stP[￿ Ihe mental wellbeing of our users whi151 ￿CreasI￿j soaal
inclusion acTOSS an of our local (J)mrnunty. We welcome individuals and groups to make use of our hub, allowng
particApants to forni new friendships. expand Iheir S￿al cKde. leam skills and partiupale in hobbies.
We continue lo welcome our re9uLqr weekty, lortnighty and [r￿1b￿ dubs. all ofwhich have seen an increase in attendees
this year. All of our clubs and group5 8Te free to attend. *ilh opportunty available lor anyone who wishes io make a small
donation. This ensures Ihat there is no financial barrier to attendance.
Our communily groups indu(k.' Knit 'n Natter. Scrabble Club: L&Jies Walkiny Group,. Write Here at Dundonald Cast
Poetry Group wth our Poet in Residen￿. Castle Cronies," our jUn￿r Castle CcMnmittee- the Crazy Casde Kids- and the
Ayrshire Young Archaeol09￿1s. Club (YAGI. Our YAC hosts monthly seg*ons lor young people aged 8-16 who have an
interest in archaeology and through 2024 agwn enjoys a full membership.
Dundonald Histori(xl & Af¢hive SocEty continue to hold Iheir Month￿ meetings in the hub during the year, delivering a
popular annual programme of tslk5 ￿ IcKal and national history lo attendees_
vi

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
In addition, in 2024 new groups were pibted by FOOC in partnership with Alzheimer ScotLand al￿ NHS Ay15hire &
Arran.. our Back in Time Calè lor those INing wth eaty memory toss and dementk?. and their lamilies and carets." and tsyo
Staying Ahead of Ihe cU￿e gentle movement exerw dasses.
collaboration with Dernentia Friendty Troon Vdlages IDFtVJ and Alzheimer Scx)tlancS enabled all team members lo
complete training in dèrnenb"a awareness sensrtwtty. Thi5 preparatK)n laid the foundation for our Back in Time group
and ensure5 that parbupants value the welrA)ming and secure enwronment offered. Every week participants enjoy a iango
of activities delivered by ourteam. To date we ha¥e explored heraldry. 8wthecary. arthaeosogy with handling boxes, day
pg1 m8king and old newspaper5, each offeting tactile and engaging experiences Ihat are accessible and enjoyable for
everyone. These sessions bling people togelher and creale opportunrfies lor relaxed conversation, whether atr4)ut the
aclivity 81 hand or memo￿$ sparked from yeaTS g￿e by.
Partnering with NHS Aytshirtr and Arran (kajpabonal Therapy. we sur￿$fullY support tsyo weekly Staying Ahead of
the Curve classes ovèr a 12-wÈek pèri(Kl. Atthough Ihe initial Intenti(￿ vrns lo del%ver one dass, popular demand ￿sUlted
in a second series being delivered in the hub. These sessH)ns offer geTht￿ movemenl and wellbeing advice, aligning wilh
South Ayrshire Counul'$ He8tth & Wellbeing initiatives.
For those unable to phyststy ¥isrt us ￿$rte. (xjr leam al￿ resuned delwing presentations on ￿ history ol the site and
our cuThenl aCtI￿tieS to external groups offg"te.
FOOC do everything possib￿ to st4)port bolh our Iwal ccffnmunity and local suppliers and producers in our hub. We active
seek opportunities to work with local busness. suppcfftiro the arculareconomy, Ihrough our prooJrem8nt and supply chain
across all areas of service delwery.
Our commitment to supporfing Focal was recognised in 2024 when we were featured as a Cas& Study in ScotFand Towns
Partnership's national Scotland Loves Local Campaign, prioriti8ing as we do the supwl. use and PfomotK)n of loc21
sup￿lerS in all are8s of Se￿ice delivery {Appendvx 5).
We now support 25+ local craflers. artL"Sts. artisans. authors.. and producers of jamsld)utneysn)oney, tyving them the
opportunity to sell their pr(XIu￿ to Visitors and OVT community: the onty plxe lo offer this seNtce for many in the village.
As members of South Ayrshire Council's Scotland Loves Local Grfl Card, a means tested benefit, Wè aga￿ di5¢Jegtly
suptk)rt anyone using this service in the café. ret¥41 area and for our e￿¢S and cDmmunity aclNities.
Our pay41-forward Kindness Tree whereby Ihose who a￿ finanaalty rrKJre secure can forward lor hol drinks and
lunthes for those w¢thin our community who are experietKirKJ hardship, contw)ues to be very well supported and utilised.
At regular intervals Ihroughout the year we prowde free aftemoon teas ￿th accompanying livè musical enlerl8inmenl and
games for all our clubs, groups and reg￿ar$ dvring the winter months when many in our communty have told u5 they most
struggle with their mental health. The get logelhers have been hugely popular. much appre(iatèd and f*edba(* has been
unilormly positwe.
The importance ofthese serV￿S to famil￿ and *KINiduals ￿thin ouro)mmunrty (xnnot be undere51irnaled.
In 2024, in response to Ical demand we piloted new pop up advice and inlomiats.on servi￿$ sessKins. parlneriro wth a
wide range of exiernal services and support cwganisatK)ns. Ayrshi￿ lfidewdent LI￿n9 Network hosted regular. flexible
drop-in sessh?ns to share inlomiation about creating opportunrties for seff-employment and peer support Ihroughoul South
Ayrshire. South Ayrshile Infomiation and AdvKe Hub provKled drop in se55ions to p¥ovide weNare. benefits, budgeting lips
and debt support. NHS Ay¥shire & Arran Qurt Yourway staffed dfop in srTK)king ￿5$atIOn advi￿ SeS￿On5. All appreciated
fostering links between the ¥ital Serv￿0$ and the communrty and weknming environment.
FODC also supported the Beat The Streets health inrtl8b"ve. ¢omrni55ioned by Ayrshire Road5 Alliance on behawof
SAC. funded by Paths for All's Smarter Choi￿, Smarter Places Programme and delivered by Intelligent Health. Space in
our hub was used by Thriving Communrties to deliver Emergenry First Aid al Work lo their empk•yee5. Our collat)oralion
withthe Night Before Christmas Campaign as a off and distribution sile contirhues inlo its sevenlh year. with community
members additionally makir¥J gifts for the ￿Xes.
A range of other local community organisattL*)s also use the hub to fac4fitate IhLwr adwities a5 required induding 8 session
of the Dundonald Community Counol. the Dundonald HtghlaTrJ Games AGM and a Dundonald Christmas L*ghl8
fundraising evenl. OUT MP also began to hosts his drop li 'Pup Up Surgeries. for his con5tttLpnts at thè hub towards tho
end of the year.
Cafe
It has been a busy year for the Café iweased conMnLtrnty ￿lIabor￿.0n and fo￿ard-thInkIng improvements. Key
devdopments irtcluded inslallatkjn of new equiwnent. enhanang *¢ency lor both team and visilots and ensuring
opthmal hygiene standards wrthin operation5. Our c*fé o)nlinues to priorrtise Ihe purthase ol Scottish prOd￿e from
local gjppliers whenever possible.

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Our team work incredibly hard to cost our café offerin99 as c(>rnpeb"INety as possible to make our refreshments and food
fford8ble. The menu, providing g*rten free, dairy free, vegetarian and Vegan options. remains popular Mth both vi511ors
lo the castle and with locals as a h05Pitality destination in its own right throughout Ihe year. In all areas we arè led by the
desire to ensure the delivery of excellent customer seTh￿ and foster a welr4Hning environment for all our community and
visf¢ors lo enjoy.
The Musèum
Our cornmunity museum conlinltes to hjnclton as an integral component of the heritage experietKe at Dundonald Castle,
attracting both domestic and intemalK)nal v￿rtorS and thats. InterprelatKJn lJ)ards, archNe exhibition5 and a srnall display
of local 8rtetscts enhance the eXper￿nCe of toth visitors aThJ path"pants of our Edwation and Community Heritage
Programme.
The year began wih a dtsplay M Dund¢m8kl C8sUe the Wars ol Independen￿. In June. the team wTr*ed with the
Dundonald Historical & Arthives Sooety to ￿￿Tate an archNe exhibition to ￿￿brate the visit of the Clan Cod)r8ne from
the USA. The follobwng month an 8xhibiti.on was curated c*br8ting Robert the Bruce as part ol a F48tional celebra11c￿ of
Robert the Bru￿.5 75￿ birthday.
Worf( began on creating museum poliaes and procedurès in preparats"￿ for entry in to the museum ac¢reditalion process.
This includes nol onfy amendmenls to the ronslitution whth v￿e approved at oui AGM. bul also the recording and
provenance Iracing for our c￿lect￿)nS, and the creation of C￿￿kn"0n care, disposal and acquisition polic4es.
Ongoing discussions have taken pFacewith an award-winnry 3D reconstnKtion arlist to discuss opb.ons for creation of 30
models of both the ￿rrent castle and Old Auchans House, both ol which wll greatty enhance the visito¥ experience. W
were unsuccessful in oui appliCat￿n to the Castle st￿lies Twst forfunthng to support but have since have identified other
polential funding sour¢es to adVa[￿e Ihis important proiecl.
Retail
Retail has continued to gain momentum in the Last year, th In(Ye8s￿ sales on 2023.
We currently stock 25+ local crafters, showcasirbg 8 wde variety ol prThYucts from localfy inspired book5 to handmade
ilem5. local honey and candles, all of which are well feceived by our customers. Our crafters are promtsted and highlighted
online through our website and sctial media thannels, diiving sales.
Additionally we use a wde range ol Tr*holesale sup￿lerS to $c*Jr￿ a Tange of items, many personalised to Dundonald
Castle.
Weddings
In 2024, FODC hosted six weddrng ￿TernonIeS at Castle. along with a wedding photo shoot for a cOu￿e who were
married at another localion but who wanted lo incorporale Dundonald Casue into their special day. These occasions not
only showcase the un¥]ue beauty and hisloric of the %te but also conln.buie to raising the Castles proffte as a
memorable venue for spectal events.
To support and prornote this growing aspeca of our acliviltes. we developed a new onlirte weddings brochure. providin9
prospective coupleswith Comprehensive infomiation on booking optw)ns, pa￿ageS and the distinctive appeal of an inlimatè
Castle wedding (Appendrx 61. We aLso ￿freshed the content on our main weddings page and updated our presence on
ielevant online directories. helping to broaden our reach aThJ new enquiries for the year ahead.
Community Herlta9è & Edueatlon ProgTrmme
Education Pro
ramtne
Throughout 2024, our educalion prograrnme conlin￿d to thrive wilh the team delNerng onsite. be$p￿e. *hour sessions
lied direct￿ to the Curriculum for Excellen￿.
Our 2024 attendee numbers inueased 51vJhtly with 2369 attendees across 77 totsl 5ession5 (against 88 sessions with
2211 recorded attendees in 20231. Thi5 was despite some extemal challenges throughout the year.
External outreach sessions also increased in 2024 and the team tstried out nine outreach visits induding to Dundonald
House, Woodlands Prlmary Careerfs Day, and tslks lo various cc¥nmunty grwps and guikls in the a￿a. A total of 283
part￿[Pant9 wei$
rgathed. (x¥npared wrfh 6 oulreath sessrons a￿1 135 partiapants in 2023.
One oflhe main challenges we became awa￿ ofin 2024 was the imp8Gt of budgel constraints within the edu(3ts"on se¢tor.
This was primarily evidenced through a drop in our annual b(x)king$. Several returning schools who were unable lo rebook
with us cited new financi81 c4)nstraints. mostly in regards to transport Costs. This was despite partial funding through the
SrA)ttish Travel Grant Subsidy. In response we offered talbr￿1 Visits where po59b￿ for multiple dasses to visit together.
We algo wel¢orned 8 number of local groups and organisatsons WbckJd4r¥J Scwts, Beavers, and Thriving Fafflilies ISACI.
viii

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
PartiC4pating groups and sthools visrted frc*n ntne C(￿￿11 a￿#5.
South Ayrslwre
East AyTshire
North Ayrshwe
East Dunbartonshire
Renfrewshire
East Renfrewshire
North LanarkS￿re
South Lanarkshire
Glasgow
Teacher and leader evaluations for the programme continued lo score 10110 in all areas. induding links to cufficulum,
activities deSvered and Ihe booking process.
In 2024. our rdatN)nship with Dundonald Primary remained strong we SUp￿)rted a G*ic VLSrt from the P4-5's, 8
special EgyptianlArchaedfrJy Ihemed session for the P3s. as well as visits from all ol the p￿pilS at the ￿h{￿lI lo faalilate
bespoke slorylelling sessions on world Book Day. W0￿1n9 alongside the Scottish Stonemasons Marks Projecl, we
welcomed Dundonald PS Pss and P7s to the castle for a masons. mark hunt in May, whi15t P61P7 dasses joined us for
oui comrnunity archaeological digs in September.
PUNIC donations and financi81 inveslment pri017bs&J the Ca￿ and maIr￿le￿ance of exi*ing rvJources for ihe edLKation
pro9rarnme througPK)Ut the year. This helped us lo purchas& new cosluws for both the aducatKin learn and programme
parlicipants to accommodate for Ihe warmer weather.
Many ofour events are eitherfree or pe99ed at POGket Tr￿neY pri￿$ to make them as &ces$ible to dl as possible. These
are hugety popular and lange from movies at the castle and free fwnily days to launch HigNand Games Week to
Scavenger Hunts and Easler Egg painting and e99 rdling. to rnu￿c events.
January
Music Events with the Gaiety Theatre.. A Ce￿bration of Rc&ert Bwns
Evening Talk in the Visitor Centre
February
Beat the Street WFlh South Ayrnhire CouwKI and Ayrshire Roa(ts Ajliance
March
2-day Easter Event featuring treasure tral. egg pamb.ng and 8 V￿11 Easler Bunny
Earth Hour Lfitter Fick
April
Eastgr Sunrise Service with LhJnth)nald P8ri%h Church
May
Fundraiser Physic Ni￿t w￿h￿(ho51ed at Dun(lonakl Bowling CIL￿)
Junè
Game Onl Event
Pollery workshop with ILVI b￿rIe$S CoorE-in
July
Outdoor Thealrè Perfom)anee wFth Quantum Thealre Group.. Jeffwna Puddk¢kn
Family Fun Day.. Laun¢h lor Dundonakl Highland Gaffles Week
Auyust
Yoga and B￿nch
Evening Talk In th8 Vlsitor Centre
Septsmber
MLK%i¢ event vnv) thtr Gaiety Theatre.. The Rhylhm ￿'ng$ Dixieland Jazz
O¢tober
Halloween Evtrnl: Oastsfdly Deed5 81 Dundonahj
Spooty Ttyjrs at the Castle
De¢•mbor
Christrnas Capgrs Event
Night b6ftsrè ChrK%imas
Ix

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
For the seventh year Eunning, FODC supp)rted thal c*arity the Night Before Chii&tma5 Gampaign, hosting a very well
supForted public grft colleth.on dufing November and De¢￿[ 2024 We also hosted o community wrappin9 aftemo
for donations.
On 26 December, we opened thè hub to again supw)rt
subscribed with 150 iunners plus adilitional volunteer5. marsia
brought a new audien￿ lo Ihe cast￿ and Visrtorcerrtre.
Additionally. throughoirt the year, we offered seasonal afterrK)on lea5 in the Visitor Centre, supportèd by Voluntary Action
South Ayr8hire. These events provwjed a wami. wekoTning enviionmenl lor our k¢al o)mmunrty groups and residenls lo
come togethw and enjoy Ihe Caslle in a rèL8x*l settwig.
Oesprte the overall success ol ourevent ￿ogramMe. wè did C*)se￿e a dedine in ticket sales for certain events. particularly
our fftovie niglts and the Outd￿ SLNmmer theatre. We believe thi5 rD8y reflecl broader e¢0rx)M￿ pressures and the
continuing impact of the cost-of4Mng crisk%. are adivtrly rèvie*ing IhTrs trend and will take rt into awounl when planning
our 2025 calendar.
itness. Boxing Day Boomerang This event, fully
y and friends. faised rnoney for 8 local chanly and
ami
Cdleclively. these efforts Und￿lIr￿ our deeprooied to ccfflmunty engagement and Ènsuring that Dundonald
Casue remains a vibrant and welcuning hub foi lth l(KzI residents and vssil(ffs alike.
Youth Initiatives
Junkjr
FODC'S Junior Castle Committee - The 'Crazy Casllè KNJS, ICCK} - retains a membership of 13 and wrnpri8es young
Voluntee￿ aged 8-11 years.
Thioughout 2024 our CCK helped lo develop many of our communty inilTratwes. ptOVKling assistancè with our
inter9enerational CUDmunity gioups an(J al ow fam¥ty wnmunty heiilage events.
Proud arnbassadots ol FODC. the CCK represented rwr r*arity extemJEy durirvJ the year. This irKJ￿ed the Junb)r
Committee's first annual trip to Ihe Gla5gThv sC4er￿ Centre aThJ via lundN$ng inib"alNes 81 DuTrJonald Primary S¢hool's
Christtnas F8yre.
k of Edinbur
h Awaids
FODC are loThJ-temi supporters of both Ihe Salttre Awards Programmè and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards
PmgrÈmmelDoEI. In 2024 we were delighled to prcwide vdunteerin9 opport￿rtieS and support for four Saltire Award
volunteers (aged 14-231 and three DOE volunteer5 (ag￿ 1&k151 to seojre their Bronze and Silver Awards.
Our Saltiie 8nd DofE ¥￿UnteerS are offered aNYide range olvolunteering Op￿)rtunItieS acsoss the chanty in or(lerto develop
their chosen Skillsel and achieve goals defined at the start of the pla(xrrÈnts.
Thèse young volunteers continue lo provjde invaluable and WKle-Tanging suppcKt as Young Leaders of our Junior
Comm"rtlee. castle tour guKles. event and weddlig assislance. SVPKK>rt4ng the work ol our cfjmmunrty hub throu9h
befriending and helping wlh c*Jr daily cc¥nmunity groups arKI herrtage outreach.
Marketing
FODC continue to ulilise digital nEdia to kèap w) ct•)tact wilh our ¢￿¥nUnty and wider Vtslto￿. Extgnstve use of social
media conlinues to prorK*le al areas of FODC wilh over 6.(K(I fdbwers on Fxetrtx)k and ¢)ver 1,CKM) each on Twtter and
InslaJram.
Facebook ¢￿tinUes1O be our strongest rAJtfonn arKI has proven to be an excelknl free toolto share news wrfh the general
public, specificalty informatKJn on uFthnin9 wnts. Our enga3ement on these soual dwnnels continues lo increase year
on year.
Total Audien￿ Reach..
FacebodL'. 466,341 lotal reach from jan-￿ 20241337,649 in 2023}
Tbwtter". cannot track on new'x, plaffom)
InStagr￿Tr. 4.120 totsl reach from Jan-DeG 2024 {4.823 in 20231
We also sel up a new maling list to ewtable in(ivKluals Io sKJn up lo received our regvlai e-newsletter. This newsletter is
used lo promote events, dubs and othèr adMlie5 delNered by FODC. This is in addilK)n lo our monlhty members, e-
newsletler update.
We 8cfvertised throughout 2024 on o v￿le ran9e of national, wional and local plalf¢)Tm5 lo promote our Se￿￿$. ir￿UdItYj
SAC'S Destination South Ayrshire. Press re￿Ose$ post our Thisue Awards has dwe(lty contribuled to an increase in
footfall to the site.

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Awards
In 2024. FODC r￿￿e￿, or retained, the f(￿l￿ng nats)n81ty recognised awards..
Scottish Thisvè Award Regional (Wesll WnrErs 2024.. Celebratin9 Thrivit¥J Communities
Scoth"sh Thisue Award Natsonal Wnner5 2024. CelebraliryJ Thriving Commun¢tses
Trip A(fvisor Travellèrfs ch0￿e Award ￿fjnner5 2024.. lop 10% of Ihe tesl things lo do V￿ld& ba$sd on viwlor
ieviews
Visit ScOtlar￿ 4-Star Ifi$rtor AttraclK)n Aw8ft1
Green Tounsm Bronze Award
Voluntary ActK)n South Ayrshire Vol￿te￿ Friendty Award
Breastfeeding Friendty Sc•tLqnd
Financial Revi
Reserves pollcy
The Reserves Policy provides prolectK•n agatnst uncerfainty over fvrture Ir￿ome or Ihè risk ol ungxpecled expenditure.
Fund5 held in reserve Can be used to cover.. -
Unfoieseen emergen(ies or oiher UneXp￿d neets. for example an unexpected repair bill ot ftmding for an
urgent project.
Unforeseen day to day operntional costs. suth as cover for long-tem sick absence,
Grant income not being renewed,
Planned commilments which may need hvJher levels of reseNes.
The need lo fund shorl-temi deficits in a cash budget, forexample money may need to be spent before funding is received.
It is widely recommended that charities shoukl have at ￿ast 3 monlhs. ex￿ndrtUre held in reserves. Regarding the figure
above, this means Ihal FODC sho¢Jhl idealty hdd £39,379 in re5eEve wrthin our main aco)unt for general purposes.
However. as we are currentty reccwering from a substanb.al pen"c¥f of doSU￿. exisbng totsl unrestrict￿1 funds are only
slighlly above this amounl.
In Tecognition of the current financial situat￿n. the level of reserves v*iH be set at £25.IKA). with a view to ￿settl￿j reserve
funds to the recommended 3 months, expenditure figure as and when financès allow.
During Ilie year the Trustees eslat4ished a designated reseThes fu)d of £10,OLMJ. This is held in a separate bank ac£ounl.
Risk Assessment
In common with many third sector organisations, the trustees consKler the key risk to Ihe tharity to be the uncertainly ol
guaranteed funding beyond a relative￿ short k*riod. Atthough nomalty open all-year. our main trading months are April
October, when we can expect many visitors to enjoy tsslje tours and attend variov5 events. This makes our winter
operating months somewhat ol a financkal challenge, ￿th redL￿e¢l incorne but ffixed or. in some cases, highei running
cosls leg. heating). C(wJpled Mth un(*rtainty ovei whelhervisiloi nutntRrs wll retum to pre-pandemic levels. it is essential
for FODC to hold a particular ￿Ve1 of reserves. In add1t1￿. Iht5 may hdp doncws ar*Y funders to see where funding gaps
are and how they can help meet our funding requirements.
In tems ol day-to-day activities. Ihè organisab.on undW5￿nts that ts prot￿￿ ofstaff and volunleers is also a potential
risk. Health and salety poliaes, insurance cover are implefflented to reduce the risks. The Board continues to review the
charity's key risks wrth a ¥w to ensuring that robust prcKeilures are in place to manage these risks in so far as is
reasonably practicable. A fom￿1 risk register is being develf4)ed by Board.
Review of Financial Period
The ovèrall ièsult for the perttyj was an exce5$ of expenditure over income of £3,64512023'. suyplus £58,133), after the
depreaation on fixed assets of £2.15012023". £1.Wl. Total fvnds carried fo￿ard at 31 December 2024 were £124.423
12023." £128,068} indudin9 £41.280 12023." £39.735) net b￿k value of fixed assets wh￿h has been des￿nated into
sepaiato Ixprtal fund.
Corè Funding
Service Level A
reements
A number ol Service Level Agleements (SLA) have been n￿t￿ted wth exlemal slakeholders and partners.
A CollaboralK•n Agreernent with partners Historic &NwoM*nt s￿￿and (HESI provKles support towards the delwery
of onsite visitor operations.
meMbe￿hIp of South Ayrshire Councl's Comfort Stheme hel￿ to supm our wovision of PLtblic toilet ac£ess for the
village of Dundonald and surroundsng area.
In 2024. agreement lor financial support has been iea¢hed wth South Ayrshire Council's Thriving communit￿ to deliver
a wide range of activities and events for ThrivThig Communty dients th￿ughOUt ihe year.
Arrangements have been made with Thriwn9 Comm￿￿.¢$ to wpport three PaKI placements through the EVOLVE aThJ
ERI employment pwogrammes.
xi

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Negotiation with a local secondary 5¢ho(A lo surwt the annual prOW￿on ofthrÈe PaKI ￿8C&M?￿S over a 38 week period
has been finalised at the en¢J 012024.
ARIA- Community Asset Maintenance- £1.836
ARIA- Main Fund- £8,029
Frfe Creamery CornM￿lty Fund - £1.500
South Ay15hiie Countil C(yllrnunity Erywowennent Fund- £4.950
South Ayishire Health & Soa"al Care Partnershp. £3.QXXJ
Troon Decid85- £1,380
Flnance
This year wilh the agreement wth Ihe Board of Trustees there have been sever* posilive changes implemented to our
financAal management of Ihe Charity. It was deodetl that we move to a more Ictal a￿O￿TrIanCY fim. The Treasurer and
General Manaoer carr￿d oul due diligen￿ on several companies arml wth Ihe Board agreement we moved to JRD
Partnershlp Kilmainock.
FODC a150 ern￿oyed this company lo facilitate payroll. It was pointed out th* Èt was a more prudent use of Charity money
to pay monlhly as opposed to weekty. A consutslÉon exercise invdving all staff took place seeking their agfeement for
this change to take place. Staff agreed as did the trustees this th8rwJe took pl￿. by doitvj so oui costs have been
reduced.
Given our cash receipts of over £250,(￿ we were adw.sed that the accwal system of accountiny would have lo be
iMp￿mented to meet aw finanoal legalities.
The acquisilion of granls remwns a hiqh priority to meet oui operating costs. We have been Suc￿Ss￿l in tsbtsining grant
funding o)vering partial staffing costs and Maintenan￿ ofthe Gornrnunty Hub. Funding aCt￿￿"2S alongside careful review
ol internal and extemal costs such as insurance, se¢writy and maintenance conlracts ensure prudent and econom
rinancial management of all monies available to Ihe Charity. The installats.on and operation of Ihe Square System has been
ol great assislance in Irac*ing payrc41 and collation ol data wh￿h alkms i>refvl finanoal reporting and planning.
During the financial yearwe have been successful in negotiating a numberol new SLAS which have contributed lo financial
security. We have also had a building condition survey carried out. ￿dIng to a fvlly costed maintenanc£ reg4$1er Schedule.
During this financial yeaf we have carried out a full arml comprehensive review of OLtr HR and Compliance systems lo rneel
all legal requirements.
FODC have used our 2024 feasibility study and businèss ￿an to ￿f0￿M the ￿ed our proposed bLMlthng èxtension 8nd have
sought the best and most realistic costs forthe project. The extengon will prowde opportunrties for the Charity lo increase
our revenue generation, support c￿1 capacity t￿ik11￿J arKI enhance our oller to our community and v45ilors al*e but it can
only progress if we work to secure substantial grant funding.
8tJildin
Extensiorh
In October 2023 Communty Enle¥prise ICE) were comnwssioned by FODC to cany tsut a Feasitmlrty Study and produce a
new updated Business Plan lor QUT charity. Followng exlensive consuliation ￿th th¢ Bg8id ofTrustees. the Management
Team. staff. volunteers. Visitors and the local o)mmunity as wdl as a numbèf of key extemal slakeholders and pathers.
CE ¢omplel¢d their ieporting in March 2024.
Two documents were produced.. Research Report on the Rede¥81ownent of Oundonald Castle Visilor Centre.. and
Bu&néss Plan". Expansion of Dundonald Castle Visitor Centre and Communrty Hub.
A key Fecomrnendalion in both 1$ that as our current space is at caparjty, our services will benefft from an expansion to the
Ou￿nt Iwilding. The cuuent bjikling is delNering an excelknt level of Se￿￿e across a wide range of a￿a5 but il cannot
wo¥k any harder for the tharity and our usern.
Throughoul the year FODC also sought feedback on areas for wnwovement through consuttation and regular surveys of
the team, users, visitors and commurbity. The oty suggesbon lor inprovement cons15tenlly Tecewed is the need for
significantly fflore Space to enable us lo continue to ¢JelNer and expand our current operalKJns.
Discussions began with South Ayrshirè Counol lo agree Ihe Heads of Tem forlhe sale ol a smal area of larKI adjacent lo
Ihe current Visitor Centr6 & Community Hub on wl¥ch a much needed extension may be buitt.
Meetings have also taken pla¢£ towards the eThl of 2024 a number of builders to idenbfy potential building oplKJns ft>r
consideration by the Board of Tiustae$.

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Travel Trade
In 2024. Dundonahd Castle signffjcant str*Jes in devdopirrfJ its travel trade offering. suctessfully positioning itsem as
a desirable herilage destination lor intemational visitcY5 an¢J travel indv31ry partners.
One ofthe yèarfs most ￿tal￿e mdest￿eS was Ihe bespoke F#kJlvisrt hosted for the Ccthrane Clan on 15 June. The event
an rnembers ak)ngs¥Je Prov05t. Depute Provost, a counal officer, and prolèssional tour guide
eedback from attendees was sJnrfom)ly positive. wrth many describin9 the vi31t as the 'highlpJht of Iheir trip
followe(l up wilh a heartfelt message of thanks, noting,'Non& have managed to incorporate the
errtage as effeclivdy as yw hwe done. It was wonderful to ￿ so muth ￿de and enthusiasm
cotland.
lor21 ¢ornmuni
in Iheir history.
Earl￿[ in the rI￿nth. on 3 June. we also hosled a small gTOUP of American visit￿$ arr8rvJed by 8 New York-based travel
company. This personalised v￿rt i￿￿Yed a tour of the Caslle and a light lunth in the Visitor Centre. The group rated the
experience a5"excepb"on81ty good- we anbupate this poylive ￿eption may resutt in future ￿le[rats 01 endorsements.
Further raising our profile wilhin the travel Irade ￿d￿stry, FODC participated in an online product presentation to
approximately 4MO D¢$linatK)n hA8nagement Companies IDMCSI. VLsitScoUand directors, and sgnioT mana9ement on
10 Juty.
Building on this momentum, we aclNety theloped our travel trade stralegy, cretling new marketing materials specifically
tailored to the needs ol Sector. These maleriaLs are featured in a newty dedicated Trade secaion on OUT website and
distributed in tollabordtion wilh Vi5itScotland.
yin
Our engagemenl wrfh Visitscotland has I￿en especialty prOd￿t￿e in this regard.. in December 2024. we weTe invited to
host a table at tha¥ annual DMC trade event in Edinburgh This pfovwjed FODC valuable faCe-to-fa￿ tsme wth numerous
DMCS. allowing us to showcase our unH4ue offerings and furthei estat4ish coMechon5 wlhin the industry.
Followng this suttess. Wis￿￿sCo11and exlended an invitation for FODC to host a Familiartsabon (FAMI trip as part of their
VS Conned Event, scheduled for stming 2025. This visit will Ffovide DMC representatNe5 Wrth an in-person experien￿ of
thé Castlè and rts visitor exrorience. and we look forwardto demonstratingffirsthand what makes Dundonald such a special
des￿"natIOft.
Thetse inilialiv88 tnark th8 twnning of a ffK)re strategi approath to travel trade. with the Cothiane Cbn vi51t serving as
our firs1 foray intts Ihi5 new revenue-generaling stream. Looking aheaj, we aim to tar9et the srn8119roup travel mafkel,
particularly durw)g quieler month5, to maxirnise vi5rtor engagement sile sustainabilrty YaaT￿ound.
Our ongcing work with Visi1S￿tland and intemalional trade partners Is laying a sIr￿g fwndalK)n for continued growlh,
with Dundonald Castle now firmty on the map as a comFelling and community-driverb heiitage experience.
xiii

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Stat•m•nt of trustOeS' Tts
onslbllltlgs
The tnIs￿e$ are responsible ts prepar¢ng the Trustees. Rewt and the finanual statements in 8ccordance with applic2kMe
law and United Kingjoin Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Pr¥ticel.
Thè law applicabl8 to chartties n Scouand requires Ihe twstees to prepare ffinancial statamants for e81* financial yoar
which give a true fair vw4 01 the state of affairs of the charity and ol the in￿rnIng ie50urces and app*'cation of
resources of the chaTity lor that perDd. In yeparing these financ*al 5tatement5, the Iruslees are required to..
select Suitab￿ accounting polic￿e& and Ihen apply Ihem consistent￿,
observe the methods and princ1ple5 in the Chanlies SORP.
make jud9ernents and eslimale5 that are ieasonabte prudent..
Stale whether applicable accounting Standards have tr*en f￿[oWed. suty'eci to any material departures
disclosed and explained in the financia1 statements,.
prepare the ffinancial statements c¥) ihe going concem basis unless il is inappiopriate to presume that
the chanty will conb"nl￿ in operabon.
The Irvslees are responsible IOT keeping accounting ¥e(x)rds thal di5dose wth ieasonable accuracy at any time the
rinanciJ posltion of the charity and enable them to ensure that the finanryal slatements compty wilh the Charities and
Twstee Investmènt Iscottandl Act 2005, the Charibes Accounts IScot13ndl Regulalions 2(x)6 las amended) and the
prov15ions of Ihe charity's constiiuuon. Thèy a￿ also responsiblè lor safeguarding the assets ol the charity and hènce for
taking reasonable sleps for the preventson and deteclvn of fraud and other irregularilses
roved b the Board of TTUStees on 26 Au
ust. 2025 armt signed on its behalf by".
Chalrtrrustèe

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
APPENDICES
Appendix 1= MeQulston Brfdg•
t s."Ildundonaldcastle.or
.uklnew-footbri
ioads-alliancel
e-at4dundonald-castl
thanks-to-slo
-contractin
-and-a
rshir
Appèndlx 2: Thlstle Award Wln Ann¢)uncement
htt s.'Ildundonaldcastle or
.ukJtriends-of-dundonald-casUe-
-n8tion
-Ihistle-awardsl
App&ndlx 3: Ayrshire College Promotlonal Wideo
htt s".Ilwww.faCebook.comlwalchlfy-74259227806￿4
Appèndlx 4: USER SURVEY OCTOBER 2024
In Ociober 2024, we conducted a new user conSUttat￿n asking forfeedback on how Part￿pating in OUT commun41y hublfree
group Impacted our users.. what seNKes, act￿￿eS or support they found most valuable, and what improvements or
additional support Ihey would like to see in the hub. IndNiduals were er￿0￿raged to ancrymously provKle feedback on
post-rts. We were overwhelmed at the response and feedbad¢. A few eXam￿eS afe..
'￿31 a great welcome every time we cDmel Lo¥ety ￿ke$ good c4)mpany. Staff are second to nonel.
'Enjoy coming for the company and the fun we have. I look foTward to rt!.
'Meeting friends, heariThJ aboLrt village lrfe. Wouhl love the centre to be ligger, kjve the staff, very friendty,
'Lovely friendly atmosphere. Coffee a￿ayS lovety and the people very welcomiThJ. I come for the company and to srt and
read, while enjoying the company. Could do wth more space,.
'This hublgroup is very comrnunity minded and that is very weloyne. Ourscrabble group have been coming here for aboLrt
7-8 years and are a￿ayS made to feel very welcome. I don't think the hub could be improved in any way.,
'As a mèmbèr of the Scrats￿e Group for the past 7 years I have found invaluable friendship in all aspecis ol the visitor
centre. This 15 an amazing hub foi all ages ol the comunity. Afvmys friendty and welcoming, a delighl to visit.,
'Making and meeting friends. The staff are first dass. All Ihe knitting ladies are wonderful. I donl know what I would do if
the centre wasn't here.,
'A reason to go OLtt. Leamiry from group. Making aTrJ meetiThJ fri￿d$. Nice friendty staff
'Attending the Knit n Natter has been a lifeline for me sctialiwng wilh such lovely ladies al Dundonald Castle. I have learnt
so much and improved my skills. It gNes me confidence to go out. The staff are so friendty and supportive,.
'It has made me socialise since Covid. The staff are so nice and friendly and make you feel welcome,
'Dundonald Castle and Visitor Centre gNes members of the communty a thar￿ lo soaalse wilh one another when they
might not otherwise have mer
'My mother and I both have mobilty iSSLtes and Ihe café is a perfeclty central locabon ￿ the village.
'1 don't think you can improve on perfeclion!.
'The VC and its wonderful staff have saved my santy whilst dealing ￿th a baby with health difficumies and being unwell
myself. The lritrndty atmosphere has created a sarttuary and community hub lor so many people like me. especwlty when
I don t diNe'
'Il is a g¥eal place lo meet and lalk Io ￿FIe I love all the oppK)rtuniliès 19et to try new things.
Our team commented..
'1 love my job 8nd working for FODC. Stsff a￿ fr￿ndty and hdpful, sense ofteamwork. Love Contributing lo and wrtne$$ing
the arnazing and orbgtsing woth delwered to IhÈ local communrty. I feel my is valued and appreoatèd. Love the part
ttme aspect and flexibility as rt suits my famity (i￿￿n$t3n￿S lunpaK1 carerl. And it's I(￿11.
'1 love working in a happy environment and enj￿ fantastic conveTralK)ns ￿th new and regular wslomers,
'The supportNe nalvre of FODC m8ke o)rning lo work feel like spending Ihe day with frsend5 and family,
'1 love how everyone is so nice to me. l arn leamin9 a lot.
'After my personal ¢ircÈJrnstances Changed I C￿ne b*k tow(xk 8itheC8$Oe because a frEndty 8tm03phere. welcomirrfJ
and every day is diflerent.
.1 love volunteering at the Castle be(xuse of Ihe sense of comrrKJnty l find Ihere. There is a very real sense of 'farnil
amongst the staff and the volunteers and as a ne￿￿>m￿r to Ihe villag8 I havè malle so rn8ny frierMl$ and It has hel￿d mfy
leel I'belong,. l always feel bettei after I have visrted or worked at the caS￿e. It gr¥e$ me IK)Pg.'
Appendix 5.. S¢oUand Lov¢¥ Local Medl• C•mpalgrt Llnk
htl s'lllovelocal.scoUhistoric-atlractior>-makes-commilfflenl-tTrboostin
-¢knsin
-locaU
Appendix 6: OnlirE Wedding Brochure
htl s'.Ildundonaldcastle.or
.uklcerernon
br￿hure1
Appendix 7: LIST OF ONLINE UNKS FOR WEBSITE PAGES & SOCIAL AIEDIA
Dundonald Castle Website.. w¥w4 dundonaldcastle.or
.uk
YouTube Channel..
outube coml
Dundonaldcast
Facebook..
cebook.comld
naldcastle
Twitter.. www.twitter.comldundonaldcaslle
Instagram.. www.irssta
ram.comld ndonald castle
TikTok'. www.tiktok.coml
dundonaldcasle
xv

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
INDEPENDENT EXAIAINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
I rtrport on th$ t<￿￿￿16 of th¢ ¢h•ty for the pertod ended 31 D￿ember 21r24. which are sel out on pages 2 10 9.
R•spe¢tlv• rtsponslbllitl•s of trustees and examlnèr
The chanty's trustèes are responsible for thè preparation of thè accounts ￿ accor(lance with the terms ol the
Chant*s and Tfustee Inveslment Iscolandl Act 2005 and ￿ Charfjlfies Awunts {S(￿t18nd) Regulaiion5 20(6 las
amendedl. The charity trustees CO￿der Ihat the audit reqLbirernent of Re9ulation 10111 (al lo (cl of the Ac£ounts
Regulath)ns does not apply. It is my ￿$￿nSibilitY to exanine the acCoL￿tS as req￿red urKler sedion 44111 Icl of
Ihe Ad and to state whether partb)JL4r mattèfs have o)me to my attention.
Basls of Independent examlnerfs ststement
My examination is carried out in acoJrdaJYA RegULat￿ 11 of Ihè char￿eS A(tounts ISLx)ti8nd) Regulations
20C6. An examination indudes a review of Ihe accounting le￿d$ kepl by the chaiily and a cornparison ol Ihe
accounls presented wth those records. It also indudes Considerati￿ of any unusual ilems or disdosure5 in Ihe
accounts. and seeks expl￿atIonS from the trustees conceming any such matters. The pr¢)rAdurès undertaken (
not Provide all the eVIde￿e that would be requred in an 3￿J11, aThJ ¢C￿eq￿n￿ I do not expTess an aL¥Jrt 0￿'nIC
on Ihe view given by the accojnls.
Indèpèndent examinerfs statsm•nt
In the course of my examinat¥)n, no matter has come to my attentitin..
whith gives Me reaSona￿e cause b t¢lie¥e that in any material reswl the reouiiements..
to keep account'w records in acc0vdan￿ with SectKJn 44{1) lal ofthe 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of
Ihe Accounts Regulab"ons'. and
to prepare accounts v4hith accord with the acclythting ￿OrdS and comply wrth ReguLqtion 8 01 the
Accounts Re￿lat￿￿￿9..
have not ￿en met: or
to which. in my opin￿n, attention s￿￿k1 bedr&¥n in c￿der to enable a proper urnlèrstanding ofthe arwunls
lo be reathed.
Chartered Accountant IICASI
26 August, 2025
Page 1

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIOI
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
UnreBtricted Unrestricted
RestrScted Genèrnl D•$lgnat¥d
Funds
Fund
Fund
Total
Funds
2024
Total
Funds
2023
109 re8tatedl
Income
Donations. lÈgacies and other
Charitable activilies
Inveslmènls
55,034
128.598
99,600
128,598
118,258
99,549
Total Income
183.632
228,198
217.805
Expenditure
Costs of raising fLmds
Charitable actNities
Othef
1.009
230.834
1,950
157.722
77.961
150.723
2.150
Total Expenditure
77,961
151,732
2,150
231.843
159,672
Net IncomellExpenditurel
{33.395)
31,gXJ
12.150}
13.645}
58,133
C8pII81 expenditure
(1.8Tr))
11,8%)
3.695
Transfers between funds
{10.fxK))
10.CK)O
Net movement in funds
(35,195)
11.545
13.6451
58,133
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought foThYard
56.198
32.135
39.735
128,068
69,935
Total funds carried forward
21.003
52,140
51.280
124.423
128,068
An anatysis of Income and Expenditure is induded al Note 11 to the financial statèmenls.
Expendrture is allocated to the atrw)ve cost categor￿S on the basis of the accounlin9 pdicy disth)$ed at Note 1 (dl io Ihe
finanaal statements.
Page 2

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
2024
2023
{as rèstatèd)
Notss
Fbxèd assets
Tangible assets
41,280
41.280
39,735
39,735
Current a6s0ts
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
1,160
88.301
89.461
1,2
91,998
93,294
Liabilities
Creditors." amounts falling due within
one year
6,318
4,961
Net current assets
83.143
88.333
Total assets lèss current liabillties
124.423
128,068
Funds
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted income lund5'
General funds
DesKJnaled funds
9110
21.003
56,198
9110
9110
52.140
51.280
32 135
39,735
TDlal unrestricted funds
103,420
71,870
Total Charity Funds
124,423
128,068
The financial slalemenls were approved by the Trustees on 26 August, 2025
and signed on theii behaK by".
Page 3

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE ISCIO)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
l Accounting poll¢les
The principal aecounling policies are summarised bdow. The accounting policies have been applied
consistently throughout the Feriod and in the P￿ced1￿j year.
la) Basls of accounting
The financial 5talement5 have been prepared under the historical cosl ¢onventicK), and in accordance with
the Charities A¢￿￿ntS Iscollandl Regulations 2006 las amended) and the Statement of Recommended
Practice.. Accounting and Reporting by Charitie5 issued in March 2005. The comparative figures have been
reslaled from cash accounting to accruals accounting.
(bl Fund ac¢ounllng
Unrestricted funds ar8 available fw use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of Ihg general
objeth'ves ol the Charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.
Restricted funds afe subjected lo reslricttons on their expenditure imposed by the dor￿[ or grantor.
Transfer5 between furbds are made at the diSCretw￿ of the Insstees taking into corbsideralion any restrictions
imposed on funds.
1¢ I Income
All income is included in the statement of financial actsw.bes when the charity is enlilled lo the income and the
amount can be quantified with reaSona￿e accura￿. Tr folk)vring speufic poliaes are appl￿ to particular
Categories of income..
Donations and legacies are received by vray of grants, donations and gifts argd is included in full in the
Statement of Financial Acliwbes when receivable. Grants. vthere entittemenl is not condrtional on the delivery
of a special performance by Ihe charity. are recL¥Jnised ￿ffien the charity becomes ￿n￿ndItionallY enlilled lo
the gfant.
Donated serw¢es and facilities are included al the value lo the charity vthere this can be quantified. The
value of services provided by volunleers has nol been included in these accounts.
Investment income is includgj when receIvat￿e.
Income from grants, where related to perfomiance and specffic deliverables. is aecounted tr as the tharity
eams the right lo consideration by ts perfL￿ance.
Page 4

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE ISCIO)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ICONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 Accountlng pollcle8 (contlnuod)
Idl Expendfture
ExFendrture is re¢ognised on an accwals basis as a lia￿'lty is incurred.
Costs ol raising fund5 ￿MPriSe the costs asscciated wth attractirvj voluntary irtrcome and grants.
Charitable ex￿ndItUTe comprises those costs incurred by the chatity in the delivery of ils activities and
seryices for its beneficiaries. It Indudes tx)Ih costs that can be allocated directly lo such a¢tThirties and those
costs of an indirect natLFre necessary to supwrt them.
Govemance costs inchjdes those costs assock8ted wth meeting the constitutional and statutory
requirements of the charity and include the Independent Examinerfs fees and o)sts linked lo the strategic
management of the charity which are voluntary other than directors, travelling expenses reimbursed.
All costs are allocated betsyeen the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed lo reflect the
use of the fftsource. Costs relating lo a partic￿￿￿r activity are alkKaled diTecUy, others are apportioned on an
appropriate basis such as staff lime pro-rala.
{el Fixed assets
Fixed assets (excluding investrnentsl are stated at ecst less accumulated depreciation. Minor addrtions
costing below £250 are not capilalised. Depreciation is prOV￿ed at rates calcuLaled to write off the c051 of
each asset over its expected useful life as folkjws."
Computer equipment- straighl line over S years
Fixtufes and fitb"ng5 - straight line over 10 years
The Vbsf(or Centre is currently not deprecrated, pending a planned extension project. An appropriate
depreciatK)n policy wll be established Nthen this project is finalised.
2 Taxation
The organisalion is a regislered Scolbsh charity and no corpKsration tax bability arises. The charity is VAT
registered and VAT is deducted from the re￿vant category of Income and expenditure.
3 Twstee Remunerallon and Related Party Trdnsactions
Trustees are reimbursed for expenses incurre(l. No expenses were paid during the year ID any Trustee.
No Trustee or other per50n rebled to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction
entered Into by the charity during the period. This is with the exception of pur¢ha5e5 totslling £140.02 from
director, whth were at arm's length.
Page S

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
4 Staff costs and numbg
2024
2023
Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pe￿On costs
149,945
673
1.743
101.039
367
1.391
152 361
102797
5 Tangible fixed assets
Vlsltor
Computer Fixtureg &
entre Equipment
Fittings
Total
Cost
At l January 2024
Additions
29,087
7.623
1,895
42,700
3,695
Al 31 December 2024
30.887
9.518
46,395
Deprèeiatlon
At 1 January 2024
Charge for the period
925
1.198
2,￿5
2,150
952
At 31 December 2024
2,123
2,992
5,175
Net book value
At 31 December 2024
30,887
3,867
6.526
41,280
Nèt book value
At 31 December 2023
29.087
5.065
6 ￿btOr
2024
2023
Ttade Debtors
Accrued IrKome
575
585
1.296
1.160
Page 6

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE (SCIO)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
7 Bank balances
2024
2023
Main account
Restricted funds account
Reserve account
Cash balances
57,271
21,IXJ3
lo,￿)0
27
68,962
22.983
53
88,301
91,998
8 Creditors .' amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
Trade Creditors
Payroll Creditors
Accrued Charges
Deferred Income
VAT Creditor
1.051
570
1.350
708
2.639
267
441
1,000
408
2,845
6,318
4.961
9 Anatysls of Ngt A￿9ts Bglwoen Funds
Unrestrlcted Unrestrlcted
General Deslgnatsd
Funds
Funds
Restrl¢ted
Funds
Total
Funds
Fixed Assets
41,280
41,280
Current Assets
21.003
58.458
10,000
89,461
Current Liabilities
6.318
6,318
Net Assets
21,003
51.280
124423
Details of Significant Funds'.-
Unrestricted Desi
naled Ca
ital Fund
This represents the net book value of tangible and intangible fixed assets (note 51.
Unrestricted General Funds
This is effectively the chanVs reserve vthich can spent al the discretion of Ihe Trustees.
Reslricled Funds
Reslricled funds may be used for specific purpose. Restn"clions arise when speafied by the donor or when
funds are raised for specrfic purposes, as follows.'-
M¢Donalds Foundation '. Funding for youth. community and family events
Troon Decides." Funding for friendship and ￿mpanIOn groups
VASA and SAC Thrivng Communities ERI.. Funding for job creation for 16-24 year olds.
Page 7

F*IEtID50F DUNWIIAtDC&8TLE I￿￿)
P40TES T071EWNAtKIAL STATEMEPITJ(CONTINUEDI
FOR TIIEW EIK)EDJ1 DECEMBER 2
$1.It
11 ILJJ JI.1&¥
7X
.715
2J 711
$14
51 C¢1
1DI 7D•
.•14
7.191
•.•TJ
6sJJ
.￿$ 44J7
ia.082
1Jt.210
Suw ¢os
2110
2,110
lJJ.3qSI
ii.
4•303
31 gllo
10.BWJ
Iz.i
C¥AIl
ij6i•b)
4•X 20r
1.ys
S2.1

FRIENDS OF DUNDONALD CASTLE {SCIO)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ICONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
11 Income and Expendltur• Account
2024
2023
las restated)
Not••
Income
Donaty"ons & subs￿1Pt￿￿s
Troon t)ecides
McDonahJs
Voluntsry ActM)n SoLrth Ayrshre
Foundatw)n S¢otland
South Ayrshire Council
Hislofic Environment Scotland
Relail. AdMiSs￿ns, Catering & E¥￿ts
Education visits
Online AdMisS￿nS & Events
Wedding5
Miscellaneous
7.4
5.737
1.rJ)o
S,(￿)0
33.21 S
5.LK)O
23,715
44,589
75.914
9,499
7,691
5.333
1.112
12,649
26,975
48,106
109.704
5.629
6,973
6,292
228.198
217,805
Expendlture
Goods for resale
Wages & Pensions
Advertisin9, Postage & Telephone
IT Expenses
Secunty Costs
Ulilitses
Repairs, Renewals & Equipment
subscript￿ns & Lwces
Bank Charges
General
Event & Weddings
Education & Training
Insurance
Motor & Travelling
Cleaning & PPE
Independent ExaminerlAAxountsry Fees
Payroll Bureau
Other Professional Fees
Depreciation Charge
40.660
152.361
2.929
148
753
8,263
30,304
103.238
2.576
292
1,450
2.952
342
2.377
1.576
1,380
2.580
2,411
1,692
73
2,082
1,0
887
1,949
1.936
6.617
1.302
275
1.746
1.350
1,404
5,530
2,150
1,960
231843
159.672
Result for Year
58,133
Page 9