REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: SC038163
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
for
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
Mackay & Co Chartered Accountants Unit 8 Golspie Business Park Golspie Sutherland KW 10 6UB
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
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 | 7 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 | to | 12 |
| DetailedStatementofFinancialActivities | 13 | to | 14 |
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
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).
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Activities and Achievements
During the year, the congregation met regularly and frequently for public worship and carried out various activities in pursuit of its stated aims.
The congregation continued its commitment to support the national Free Church of Scotland both spiritually and financially and through a prayerful interest in other congregations, church court committees and overseas mission work.
The level of ordinary income is consistent with previous years and there is continued participation by church members in the Gift Aid scheme.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy There was a deficit for the year of £47,492 (2024 - deficit £11,516). However, the church held unrestricted funds amounting to £75,727 at the year-end (2024 - £123,219). That consisted of a General account of £3,744 (2024 - £13,471), an unrestricted Fabric account with a balance of £44,331 (2024 - £60,018), and an unrestricted savings account with a balance of £27,652 (2024 - £67,651).
Separately, the congregation also has funds held centrally as share pool units - with a market value, as at 31st December 2025, of £6,612.35. During the year, dividends of £151.26 were paid on these, and credited to the share pools held centrally.
The Trustees’ policy is to retain a minimum reserve of £1,000 in the General Fund. The Trustees are satisfied with the level of reserves at the year end.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland is established by Constitution. It is a registered Scottish charity: No SC038163.
Page 1
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Trustees and Office Bearers
The congregation is governed and administered by elected office bearers (Elders and Deacons) and Finance committee members (all volunteers), and its minister. The Kirk session, consisting of the minister, elected elders and any assessor elders appointed by the Presbytery of the bounds, has responsibility for spiritual oversight. The Finance Committee, which is composed of minister, elected elders and deacons, and elected volunteers from the congregation, oversees temporal matters. Under charity Law, the Finance Committee are deemed to be Trustees of the congregation as those responsible for the day to day management and control. It is distinct from the role of property trustees who are responsible only for holding property in trust.
The members of the Finance Committee who served during the year were as follows:
Minister:
Interim-Moderator: Rev E Paterson Rev E Paterson (interim moderator), Rev J T Mann (assessor elder) , Mrs M MacKenzie (treasurer) (resigned Jan-25), Mrs J Sparling (treasurer) (appointed Jan-25), Mr C Finance Committee Murray, Mr M Sutherland, Mr J Garvie (assessor elder), Mr Members: M D Maclver (assessor elder) Congregational Trustees Mr R MacLeod, Mrs M Campbell, Mrs M Mackenzie, Rev J T for holding Property: Mann
Organisational structure
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland is a congregation of the national Free Church of Scotland working towards the same common aims set out above. The congregation is within the Northern Presbytery..
The church buildings at Migdale are held under the Church's Model Trust deed while the Gair Hall is held under conditions of a local trust..
Appointment of charity trustees
The Kirk Session exercises its discretion in determining the most appropriate method of electing new Trustees. For elders and deacons any election must involve the communicant membership of the congregation. There is no fixed term for elders and deacons. The Session should also recommend to the congregation the additional membership of the Finance Committee on a year to year basis. Those appointed this way will serve as Trustees for one year. Prior to their appointment new trustees would have served the church for some time in various roles and would be familiar with the churches values, its aims and objectives as well as its day to day operations. As part of their induction program, new trustees are required to understand their statutory responsibilities as well as their role as elder, deacon or finance Committed member.
Page 2
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Aims and Affiliation
Dating from 1843 but with its roots in the Reformation, the Free Church of Scotland owes its distinctive title to its historical struggle to remain ‘free’ from state interference in its spiritual affairs. It has close relations with many reformed churches throughout the world and 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 of 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 ot the Church of Scotland at the Reformation. there is an explanatory document stating the origins of the the church and listing documents in which is embodied its constitution.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number $C038163
Principal address Old Schoolhouse Migdale Bonar Bridge Sutherland I1V24 3AR
Trustees Rev J T Mann Mrs M Mackenzie (resigned 9.1.25) Mrs J Sparling C M Murray J Garvie M Sutherland M D Maclver
Independent Examiner David A. Ross, CA ICAS Mackay & Co Chartered Accountants Unit 8 Golspie Business Park Golspie Sutherland KW 10 6UB
Solicitors Ewan, Harris and Co The West Deanery Castle Street Dornoch IV25 3SN
Page 3
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Bankers
Bank of Scotland The Mound Edinburgh EH1 1YZ
Approved by order of the board of trustees on Apel L020 behalf by:
and signed on its
ee ae
Page 4
independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
| report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025 set out on pages six to twelve.
Respective responsibllities 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.
David A. Ross, CA ICAS
Mackay & Co Chartered Accountants Unit 8 Golspie Business Park Golspie Sutherland KW10 6UB
patedrrd And. LoMa....
Page 5
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Total | |||
| funds | funds | |||
| Notes | £ | £ | ||
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | ||||
| Donations and legacies | 24,958 | 29,594 | ||
| Investment income | 2 | 8,273 | 9,426 | |
| Total | 33,201 | 39,020 | ~ | |
| EXPENDITURE ON | ||||
| Charitable activities | ||||
| Charitable activities | ||||
| 80,723 | 50,536 | |||
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | (47,492) | (11,516) | ||
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | ||||
| Total funds brought forward | 123,219 | 134,735 | ||
| TOTALFUNDSCARRIEDFORWARD | 75,727 | 123,219 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
Balance Sheet 31 December 2025
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Total | ||
| funds | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Cash at bank | 76,719 | 141,141 | |
| CREDITORS | |||
| Amounts falling due within one year | 6 | (992) | (17,922) |
| NETCURRENTASSETS | 75,f21 | 123,219 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT | |||
| LIABILITIES | 75,727 | 123,219 | |
| NETASSETS | 75,727 | 123,219 | |
| FUNDS | 7 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | f5,f2r | 123,219 | |
| TOTALFUNDS | 76,727 | 123,219 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on veeeee2rnd, Apcil..292.6......... and were signed on its behalf by:
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i ae
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The notes form part of these financial statements
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Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
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.
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.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Page 8
continued...
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
| Notes | to the Financial Statements - continued | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 | |||
| 2: | INVESTMENT INCOME | ||
| 31.12:25 | 31.12.24 | ||
| £ | E | ||
| Cottage rent | 5,400 | 5,400 | |
| Glebe rent | 100 | 100 | |
| Interest & investment income | 213 | 3,926 | |
| 8,273 | 9,426 | ||
| 3. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS | ||
| Trustees’ expenses | |||
| Current | Previous | ||
| year | Year | ||
| e | £ | ||
| Interim moderator's expenses | |||
| Trustees’ expenses | 360 | ||
| Minister's expenses | 1039 | 1103 | |
| 4. | STAFF COSTS | ||
| The average monthly number ofemployees during the yearwas as follows: | |||
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 | ||
| Minister | 1 | 1 | |
| No employees received emoluments in excess of£60,000. | |||
| a | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | ||
| Unrestricted | |||
| funds | |||
| e | |||
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |||
| Donations and legacies | 29,594 | ||
| Investment income | 9,426 | ||
| Total | 39,020 | ||
| EXPENDITURE ON | |||
| Charitable activities | |||
| Charitable activities | |||
| 50,536 | |||
| NETINCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | (11,516) |
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continued...
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
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||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|5.|COMPARATIVES|FOR|THE|STATEMENT|OF|FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES|-|continued|
|Unrestricted|
|funds|
|£|
|RECONCILIATION|OF|FUNDS|
|Total|funds|brought|forward|134,735|
|TOTAL|FUNDS|CARRIED|
|FORWARD|123,219|
|6.|CREDITORS:|AMOUNTS|FALLING|DUE|WITHIN|ONE|YEAR|
|31.12.25|31.12.24|
|3|£|
|Trade|creditors|992|17,922|
|Ti|MOVEMENT|IN|FUNDS|
|Net|Transfers|
|movement|between|At|
|At|1.1.25|in|funds|funds|31.12.25|
|£|£|£|£|
|Unrestricted|funds|
|General|fund|(4,451)|(9,805)|18,000|3,744|
|Fabric|Fund|60,018|(40,460)|24,773|44,331|
|Savings Account|67,652|2773|(42,773)|27,652|
|123,219|(47,492)|-|75,727|
|TOTAL|FUNDS|123,219|(47,492)|-|10,¢20|
|Net|movement|in|funds,|included|in|the|above|are|as|follows:|
|Incoming|Resources|Movement|
|resources|expended|in|funds|
|£|£|£|
|Unrestricted|funds|
|General|fund|30,458|(40,263)|(9,805)|
|Fabric|Fund|-|(40,460)|(40,460)|
|Savings Account|Rt|-|2,773|
|33,231|(80,723)|(47,492)|
|TOTAL FUNDS|33,231|(80,723)|(47,492)|
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continued...
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
q: MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Net | Transfers | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| movement | between | At | ||
| At 1.1.24 | in funds | funds | 31.12.24 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 2,637 | (10,379) | 3,292 | (4,450) |
| Fabric Fund | 44,446 | (4,428) | 20,000 | 60,018 |
| Savings Account | 87,652 | 3,291 | (23,292) | 67,651 |
| 134,735 | (11,516) | - | 123,219 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 134,735 | (11,516) | - | 123,219 |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as | follows: | |||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | ||
| resources | expended | in funds | ||
| £ | £ | E | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 35,729 | (46,108) | (10,379) | |
| Fabric Fund | - | (4,428) | (4,428) | |
| Savings Account | 3,291 | - | 3,291 | |
| 39,020 | (50,536) | (11,516) | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 39,020 | (50,536) | (11,516) | |
| A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: | ||||
| Net | Transfers | |||
| movement | between | At | ||
| At 1.1.24 | in funds | funds | 31.12.25 | |
| £ | £ | E | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 2,637 | (20,184) | 21,292 | 3,745 |
| Fabric Fund | 44,446 | (44,888) | 44,773 | 44,331 |
| Savings Account | 87,652 | 6,064 | (66,065) | 27,651 |
| 134,735 | (59,008) | - | 75,727 | |
| TOTALFUNDS | 134,735 | (59,008) | - | 76,220 |
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continued...
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
Ti 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 | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 66,187 | (86,371) | (20,184) |
| Fabric Fund | - | (44,888) | (44,888) |
| Savings Account | 6,064 | - | 6,064 |
| 72,251 | (131,259) | (59,008) | |
| TOTALFUNDS | 72,251 | (131,259) | (59,008) |
- RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Page 12
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 | ||
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 | |
| E | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Freewill offering | 18,500 | 22,839 |
| Church door& prayer meeting | 1,846 | 1,020 |
| Tax recovered on gift aid | 4,520 | 5,243 |
| Magazines Missions |
92 - |
137 50 |
| 24,958 | 29,594 | |
| Investment income | ||
| Cottage rent | 5,400 | 5,400 |
| Glebe rent | 100 | 100 |
| Interest & investment income | 2,713 | 3,926 |
| 8,273 | 9,426 | |
| Total incoming resources | 33,231 | 39,020 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Charitable activities | ||
| Minister's expenses | - | 1,039 |
| Wages | 15,600 | - |
| Remittance to central funds | 13,477 | 36,421 |
| Pulpit supply | (1,114) | 4,606 |
| Insurance | 1,165 | 1,131 |
| Heat & light | 1,236 | 1,369 |
| Manse council tax | - | 1,587 |
| Manse heat& light Church repairs & maintenance |
666 415 |
435 1,356 |
| Manse repairs & maintenance | 39,660 | 1,721 |
| Magazines Presbytery & assembly dues |
172 777 |
- 383 |
| Mission donations | - | 423 |
| Cottage Repairs | 685 | - |
| Transfer to Lairg | 7,500 | - |
| Share of Lairg manse expenses | 550 | 131 |
| 80,489 | 50,302 |
Support costs
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 13
Bonar Bridge Free Church of Scotland
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Support costs | ||
| Governance costs | ||
| Accountancyand legal fees | 234 | 234 |
| Total resources expended | 80,723 | 50,536 |
| Netexpenditure | (47,492) | (11,516) |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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