REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: SC038135
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
for Golspie Free Church
Mackay & Co Chartered Accountants Unit 8 Golspie Business Park Golspie Sutherland KW 10 6UB
Golspie Free Church
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| Report ofthe Trustees | 1 | to 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 | |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 | |
| Balance Sheet | F | |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 to 12 | |
| DetailedStatementofFinancialActivities | 13to14 |
Golspie Free Church
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The Free Church of Scotland currently has around 100 congregations in Scotland, as well as two in London and five in North America, and sister Churches founded by mission work in India, Peru and South Africa. The Church also has a full-time degree-awarding college in the heart of Edinburgh for the training of ministers and other Christian workers and sustains an extensive missionary programme relative to the size of the church.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
During the year, the congregation met regularly for public worship and carried out various activities in pursuit of the above stated aims.
The congregation continued its commitment to support the national Free Church of Scotland both spiritually and financially.
Significant highlights, events and developments of note in the year include the following:-
In relation to congregational activities:
-
a. Using internet to broadcast services to church members and interested parties from the community.
-
b. Ministry to residential home's locally c. Ministry to local communities through officiating at many funeral services.
In relation to congregational funding:
a. Continued support for the work of the congregation and others
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Principal funding sources
The principal funding sources are the various congregational collections.
Reserves policy
The Trustees are satisfied with the level of reserves retained by the charity in that they are sufficient to cover the immediate basic operating costs of the Golspie Free Church.
FUTURE PLANS
The congregation will continue its commitment to support the national Free Church of Scotland both spiritually and financially.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Page 1
Golspie Free Church
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
Golspie Free Church of Scotland is established by Constitution. It is a registered Scottish Charity (No. SC038135).
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The Kirk Session exercises its discretion in determining the most appropriate method of electing new Trustees (Elders and Deacons). Any election process must involve the communicant membership of the congregation. There is no fixed term for Trusteeship. Prior to their appointment, new Trustees would have served the Church for some time in various roles and would be familiar with the Church's values, aims and objectives as well as its day-to-day operations. As part of their induction programme, new Trustees are required to understand their statutory responsibilities as well as the responsibilities of their office within the congregation as elder or deacon.
Organisational structure
The congregation is governed and administered by elected office bearers (all volunteers) and its minister. The Kirk Session, being the minister and elected elders, has responsibility for spiritual oversight, while the Deacons’ Court, composed of Kirk Session members plus elected deacons, oversees financial and property matters. Under Charity Law, the Deacons' Court is deemed to be the trustees of the congregation as those with responsibility for day-to-day management and control. This is distinct from the role of property (congregational) trustees who are responsible only for holding property in trust.
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The members of the Deacons' Court (the Trustees) who served during the year were as follows:-
Deacons’ Court:
~ a
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Page 2
Golspie Free Church
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Wider network
Dating from 1843 but with its roots in the Reformation, it owes its distinctive title to its historical struggle to remain ‘free' from state interference in its internal affairs. It has close and active relations with many other Reformed Churches of Jesus Christ throughout the world and stands firmly in the tradition which accepts the Bible in its entirety as the Word of God and, therefore, derives its forms of teaching, worship, ministry and government from it. The main emphasis of our worship is the preaching of the gospel - the good news of a free and sovereign salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
The Free Church of Scotland is a Presbyterian church adhering in its worship and doctrine to the position of the Church of Scotland at the Reformation. There is an explanatory document which explains the origins of the Church and which gives the historical background to the Church coming into being in 1843 and lists documents in which is embodied its constitution. Golspie Free Church of Scotland is a congregation of the national Free Church of Scotland working towards the common aims set out above. The congregation is within the Northern Presbytery and is authorised by the Church to have a minister paid from the central funds of the Church.
The church building and the manse are the property of the congregation and are held in trust by locally elected property (or congregational) trustees under the Church's Model Trust Deed.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number $C038135
Principal address
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Trustees
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Independent Examiner
Mackay & Co Chartered Accountants Unit 8 Golspie Business Park Golspie Sutherland KW 10 6UB
Page 3
Golspie Free Church
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Balfour & Manson 54-62 Frederick Street Edinburgh EH2 iLS
Approved by order of the board of trustees on en 22 28. and signed on its behalf by:
Page 4
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Golspie Free Church
| report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025 set out on pages six to twelve.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity's trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under Section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of the independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently | do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention :
-
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and
-
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
Mackay & Co Chartered Accountants Unit 8 Golspie Business Park Golspie Sutherland KW 10 6UB Date: AT4T ANS 22S
Page 5
Golspie Free Church
Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| funds | funds | funds | funds | ||
| Notes | 2 | £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 40,779 | 2,022 | 42,801 | 63,223 | |
| EXPENDITURE ON | |||||
| Charitable activities | |||||
| Church | 56,415 | 278 | 56,693 | 56,167 | |
| Manse | |||||
| - | 2,227 | 2,227 | - | ||
| Total | 56,415 | 2,505 | 58,920 | 56,167 | |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | (15,636) | (483) | (16,119) | 7,056 | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 50,376 | 40,665 | 91,041 | 83,985 | |
| TOTALFUNDSCARRIEDFORWARD | 34,740 | 40,182 | 74,922 | 91,041 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
Golspie Free Church
Balance Sheet
31 December 2025
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||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|31.12.25|31.12.24|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|Total|
|funds|funds|funds|funds|
|Notes|£|x|£|£|
|CURRENT ASSETS|
|Cash|at|bank|34,740|40,182|74,922|91,041|
|NET CURRENT ASSETS|34,740|40,182|74,922|91,041|
|TOTAL|ASSETS|LESS|CURRENT|
|LIABILITIES|34,740|40,182|74,922|91,041|
|NET ASSETS|34,740|40,182|74,922|91,041|
|FUNDS|4|
|Unrestricted|funds|34,740|50,376|
|Restricted|funds|40,182|40,665|
|TOTAL FUNDS|74,922|91,041|
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The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on cctutndQo. Inn 2%. and were signed on its behalf by:
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
Golspie Free Church
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
- ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)’, Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Expenditure Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Unrestricted funds comprise:
The General fund which encompasses all income and expenditure relating to the primary focus activities of the charity, other than those for which funding is restricted.
The Designated Fabric fund which represents money set aside by the Deacons’ Court for the fabric of the building. The Deacons' Court agreed that loan repayments on the Central Funds loans should be met from this fund. As there are Restricted Funds specifically for Fabric and Renovation this Designated Fabric fund has now been closed.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Restricted funds comprise:
The Fabric fund which represents gifts received specifically for the maintenance of the Church and Manse properties via monthly collections and donations.
The Church Renovation fund which represents gifts received specifically for the proposed renovation of the church properties via collections and donations.
Page 8
continued...
Golspie Free Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
- ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Fund accounting
The Youth Club fund represents donations received specifically for the work amongst the youth.
The Pajoma fund representing donation received specifically for the work of Pajoma (A Kenyan charity).
2. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Trustees’ expenses
There were no trustees’ expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the year ended 31 December 2024.
| 3. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
| funds | funds | funds | ||
| LS | £ | E | ||
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | ||||
| Donations and legacies | 40,900 | 22,323 | 63,223 | |
| EXPENDITURE ON | ||||
| Charitable activities | ||||
| Church | 55,527 | 640 | 56,167 | |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | (14,627) | 21,683 | 7,056 | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | ||||
| Total funds brought forward | 65,003 | 18,982 | 83,985 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED | ||||
| FORWARD | 50,376 | 40,665 | 91,041 |
Page 9
continued...
Golspie Free Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
| 4. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net | ||||
| movement | At | |||
| At 1.1.25 | in funds | 31.12.25 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 50,376 | (15,636) | 34,740 | |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Church renovation | 9,549 | - | 9,549 | |
| Fabric | 30,822 | (483) | 30,339 | |
| Youth | 294 | - | 294 | |
| 40,665 | (483) | 40,182 | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 91,041 | (16,119) | 74,922 | |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | ||||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | ||
| resources | expended | in funds | ||
| £ | £ | ee | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 40,779 | (56,415) | (15,636) | |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Fabric | 2,022 | (2,505) | (483) | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 42,801 | (58,920) | (16,119) | |
| Comparatives for movement in funds | ||||
| Net | ||||
| movement | At | |||
| At 1.1.24 | in funds | 31.12.24 | ||
| £ | a | £: | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 65,003 | (14,627) | 50,376 | |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Church renovation | 9,549 | - | 9,549 | |
| Fabric | 9,126 | 21,696 | 30,822 | |
| Youth | 307 | (13) | 294 | |
| 18,982 | 21,683 | 40,665 | ||
| TOTALFUNDS | 83,985 | 7,056 | 91,041 |
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continued...
Golspie Free Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
4. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | 2 | |
| Unrestricted funds | . | ||
| General fund | 40,900 | (55,527) | (14,627) |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Fabric | 22,324 | (628) | 21,696 |
| Youth | (1) | (12) | (13) |
| 22,323 | (640) | 21,683 | |
| TOTALFUNDS | 63,223 | (56,167) | 7,056 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Net | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| movement | At | ||
| At 1.1.24 | in funds | 31.12.25 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 65,003 | (30,263) | 34,740 |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Church renovation | 9,549 | - | 9,549 |
| Fabric | 9,126 | 21,213 | 30,339 |
| Youth | 307 | (13) | 294 |
| 18,982 | 21,200 | 40,182 | |
| TOTALFUNDS | 83,985 | (9,063) | 74,922 |
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continued...
Golspie Free Church
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
4. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| E | £ | rie | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 81,679 | (111,942) | (30,263) |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Fabric | 24,346 | (3,133) | 21,213 |
| Youth | (1) | (12) | (13) |
| 24,345 | (3,145) | 21,200 | |
| TOTALFUNDS | 106,024 | (115,087) | (9,063) |
- RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2025.
- VALUE OF FIXED ASSETS
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | £ | |||
| Church | 872,561 | 872,561 | ||
| Manse | 177,702 | 177,702 | ||
| Fixtures | and | Fittings | 25,739 | 25,739 |
| 1,076,002 | 1,076,002 |
Page 12
Golspie Free Church
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 | ||||
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 | |||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| funds | funds | funds | funds | |
| £ | 2 | £ | e | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||||
| Donations and legacies | ||||
| Donations | 726 | 2,165 | 2,891 | 1,848 |
| Gift aid | 5,775 | - | 5,775 | 10,126 |
| Bequest | - | (143) | (143) | 17,064 |
| Freewill offering | 31,544 | - | 31,544 | 31,414 |
| Church door | 2,724 | . | 2,724 | 2,621 |
| Meetings & collections | - | - | - | 150 |
| Other income | 10 | ~ | 10 | - |
| 40,779 | 2,022 | 42,801 | 63,223 | |
| Total incoming resources | 40,779 | 2,022 | 42,801 | 63,223 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||||
| Charitable activities | ||||
| Insurance | 1,630 | - | 1,630 | 1,542 |
| Light and heat | 3,086 | - | 3,086 | 1,379 |
| Postage and stationery | 82 | - | 82 | 75 |
| Sundries | 502 | . | 502 | 164 |
| Remittances to Central Funds | 41,040 | . | 41,040 | 41,265 |
| Minister's expenses | 7,803 | - | 7,803 | 8,276 |
| Pulpit supply | 383 | - | 383 | 256 |
| Presbytery dues | 815 | - | 815 | 569 |
| Church magazines | 86 | - | 86 | 183 |
| Repairs & maintenance | - | 2,472 | 2,472 | 628 |
| Youth Work | - | . | - | 29 |
| Missionary societies | 600 | - | 600 | 658 |
| Domain name / website | 17 | - | 17 | 209 |
| SU Fund Raiser | - | - | - | 622 |
| 56,044 | 2,472 | 58,516 | 55,855 | |
| Support costs | ||||
| Finance | ||||
| Bank charges | 59 | 33 | 92 | - |
| Governance costs | ||||
| Accountancyandlegalfees | 312 | - | 312 | 312 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 13
Golspie Free Church
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unréstricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| funds | funds | funds | funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Total resources expended | 56,415 | 2,505 | 58,920 | 56,167 |
| Netincome | (15,636) | (483) | (16,119) | 7,056 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 14