The Royal Company of Archers Charitable Trust
Scottish Charity No – SC047687
Annual Report and Financial Statements For the Period ended 31[st] October 2025
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Trustees’ Annual Report
For the period ended 31[st] October 2025
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report together with the financial statements for the year to 31[st] October 2025.
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity name:
The Royal Company of Archers Charitable Trust
Charity no:
SC047687
Address:
Archers’ Hall, 66 Buccleuch Street, Edinburgh EH8 9LR
Current Trustees:
At the AGM of 15 April 2025, the maximum number of elected Trustees was increased from three to five. These trustees are elected by the Members and up two Trustees can be co-opted by the board of Trustees. In addition, the Secretary and Treasurer of the Royal Company of Archers are ex-officio Trustees. The Trustees who held office at the year and their dates of appointment are:
| Date of | ||
|---|---|---|
| Office | Appointment | |
| Elected Trustees: | ||
| Lt Col R Callander LVO OBE TD | Chairman | 30 April 2020 |
| Major R H Edlmann | 13 April 2022 | |
| Col A J Loudon MBE CStJ | 13 April 2022 | |
| Lt Col J C Stewart LVO | 15 April 2025 | |
| Co-opted Trustee | ||
| S E Wilson | 13 April 2022 | |
| Ex-officio Trustees | ||
| Col C P Wallace | Secretary | 17 April 2019 |
| M J Younger | Treasurer | 28 April 2021 |
Major J R Tweedie retired as a Co-Opted Trustee on 15 April 2025.
Independent Examiner
I Stevenson CA
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Chairman’s Report:
I have great pleasure in presenting this eighth report on the activities of the Royal Company of Archers Charitable Trust, together with the accounts for the year to 31[st] October 2025.
This Trust is the charitable arm of the Royal Company of Archers. The Charity aims to reflect the body’s principal activities as a ceremonial body and traditional longbow archery club.
The Royal Company of Archers has existing and longstanding charitable activity through making its archery butts available to disabled ex-servicemen. This has good outcomes by boosting the morale of those involved.
With its Scottish roots, the Royal Company of Archers has an important collection of historic artefacts and documents connected with the development of archery in Scotland.
Developing on the above, the objects of the Charity cover the encouragement of sporting activities in Scotland, with a major emphasis on the disabled and those who have served in the United Kingdom armed services or other public service bodies. It also seeks to support the preservation of the heritage and culture of Scotland linked to its history as an archery club.
Cumulative grants made or committed to date amount to £177,000 (2024: £138,017). This includes support for the Scottish archery clubs, young people, ex-servicemen, homeless Scots in London, and disabled athletes.
Eleven grants were paid in the year totalling £38,983. There are six grants directly related to the pursuit of archery totalling £18,200. These grants covered provision of equipment, instructor training, or competitor support and the organisations supported were Scottish Archery, West of Scotland Archery association, Scottish Archery East Association, Millport Archery, Erskine’s Veterans charity, and finally a promising Olympic archer.
Countryside Learning Scotland received it second annual grant of £3,000 towards their aims of increasing access to, and understanding of, the countryside with the possibility of a final grant next year. The South of Scotland Golden Eagle project received a £1,000 grant towards the care and development of eagles in the wild. The South Lanarkshire Wheelchair Curling Club received a £2,000 grant towards their membership fees which have escalated due to the rising energy costs of maintaining rinks. Stirling County Rugby Club’s modern apprentice coach funding was granted £2,000.
An annually repeating grant, which this year was £12,283, was advanced to Scotscare, a charity set up to help Scots homeless in London. The grant is funded from donations inclusive of gift aid raised by archery shooting members of the Royal Company in London. The funds raised are linked to clouts scored in a season and the Charity then adds £2,000 to the donation.
The Trustees have been very impressed by the dedication and determination of the beneficiaries. The Trustees seek to expand the number and frequency of awards made to similarly eligible beneficiaries.
The Trustees report regularly to the Royal Company of Archers, who agree an annual sum which will be made available to fund grants. For the year to 31 October 2025, The Royal Company of Archers made up to £25,000 available of which £20,800 was accessed. In the coming year, The Royal Company of Archers has stated that up to a further £25,000 is available.
All research and administrative support are delivered by the Secretary of the Royal Company of Archers and the Trustees and there is no intention to employ staff. From progress to date, I am confident that we have a sound and steady future ahead of us and will make an enduring difference for our beneficiaries. Lt-Col Richard Callander Chairman 9 February 2026 a= 3
Structure, Governance and Management
Constitution
The Charity, registered on 31 August 2017, is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). The Members of the SCIO are the Royal Company of Archers, its Captain General, and the President of Council. The Captain General and the President of Council are members in an ex officio capacity. The Royal Company of Archers appoints a named Authorised Representative and a Depute to transact any business relating to its membership of the Charity.
Appointment of trustees
Trustees can be appointed by election, co-option, or as ex officio trustees. Following an amendment to the constitution at the AGM held on 15 April 2025, the Members may now appoint up to five elected Trustees, the previous maximum was three. The Board of the Charity may then co-opt up to two Trustees, and the ex officio Trustees are the Secretary and Treasurer of the Royal Company of Archers. One third of the Elected Trustees retire by rotation at each Annual Members Meeting and all elected Trustees must be members of the Royal Company of Archers. A co-opted Trustee need not be a member of the Royal Company of Archers and serves until the next Annual Members Meeting after which they can be re-co-opted. The number of Trustees must be more than three and less than or equal to nine.
The Trustees meet regularly to manage the affairs of the SCIO.
Objectives and Activities
Charitable purposes:
To carry out activities and to award donations and grants in furtherance of the arts, heritage, culture, or science; the advancement of public participation in sport; provision of recreational facilities or their organisation with the object of improving the conditions of life for persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended; relief of those in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship, or another disadvantage.
The focus of the charitable activities is informed by the unique tradition and history of the Royal Company of Archers so that archery activities and other sports are the focus of the support provided. Sporting related activities which result in lasting social benefit, improved public participation, rehabilitation of beneficiaries affected by disability, injury or ill health are all favoured. In addition to sports, the Charity has an interest in the conservation and protection of artefacts connected with the development of archery in Scotland, and the advancement of the heritage and culture of Scotland including that of the United Kingdom armed services or other public services.
Activities:
The charity paid out grants during the period totalling £38,983 (2024: £34,080) of which £12,283 (2024: £9,635) was for restricted purposes. The unrestricted funds of £26,700 (2024: £24,445) were applied towards assisting archery clubs, countryside education, disabled curling, and skills training. The restricted funds are granted to Scotscare, a charity assisting the Scots homeless in London. The charity has made commitments over the coming year to beneficiaries totalling £13,702 (2024: £17,876).
The charity assists in making the Archery Butts at Archers Hall available to disabled archers, with an emphasis on assisting ex-servicemen and women. Service can include the civilian based services.
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Financial Review:
The charity principally funds its grants from donations made to it by Bowmen Ltd, a subsidiary of the Royal Company of Archers. In the year to 31 October 2025 Bowmen donated £20,800 (2024: £20,000). Other donations of unrestricted funds include a donation by the Matthews Wrightson Charity Trust of £1,900 and sundry donations by the members of the Royal Company.
The restricted fund donation of £12,283 (2024: £9,635) is specifically for the benefit of Scotscare. The funds for this donation were sourced from sponsorship arranged by London based Archers, gift aid on that sponsorship, and £2,000 provided by the Charity. Transfers are made from unrestricted funds to cover the Charity’s donation ensuring the restricted fund’s cash balance matches the commitment.
The Trustees regularly meet with the Council of the Royal Company of Archers to discuss the Charity’s progress and to establish the appropriate level of Bowmen Limited’s donation for the coming year.
Reserves policy:
The charity’s policy is to ensure that future commitments can always be met from a combination of funds held and agreed future donations from Bowmen Limited. On 31 October 2025, funds held totalled £7,490 (2024: £8,428) and the future commitments amount to £13,702, (2024: £17,876). The timing profile of these commitments is covered by the timing profile of future donations, notably the donations to be made by Bowmen Limited.
Plans for future period:
The trustees plan to enhance its profile with those for whom the charity wishes to benefit and to increase the number and amount of grants made.
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Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees for the year ended 31[st] October 2025
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] October 2025 which are set out on pages 7 and 8.
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) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) 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 independent examiner’s statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). 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 seeks explanations from the trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
-
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 Accounting Regulations (as amended), and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations (as amended)
have not been met, or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Ian Stevenson CA
Date 9 February 2026
Jana Bank, Edinburgh Road, Linlithgow, EH49 6QT
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Statement of Receipts and Payments for the year to 31 October 2025
| Note | Unrestricted | Restricted | Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 31 October | 31 October | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Receipts | £ | £ £ |
£ | £ | |
| Donations | 4 | 26,987 | 9,152 | 36,139 | 31,354 |
| HMRC Gift aid | - | 1,906 | 1,906 | 1,477 | |
| Total receipts | 26,987 | 11,058 | 38,045 | 32,831 | |
| Payments | |||||
| Fundraising costs | - | - | - | - | |
| Governance costs | - | - | - | (45) | |
| Cost of charitable | (26,700) | (12,283) | (38,983) | (34,080) | |
| activities | |||||
| Total payments | 5 | (26,700) | (12,283) | (38,983) | (34,125) |
| Surplus / (deficit) for | 287 | (1,225) | (938) | (1,294) | |
| year |
Statement of Balances - As at 31 October 2025
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 31 October | 31 October | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Opening cash at bank | 52 | 8,376 | 8,428 | 9,722 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) for the | ||||
| period | 287 | (1,225) | (938) | (1,294) |
| Transfer to restricted | ||||
| funds | - | - | - | - |
| Closing cash at bank | 339 | 7,151 | 7,490 | 8,428 |
| Bank and Cash | ||||
| Balances | ||||
| Bank account | 339 | 7,151 | 7,490 | 8,428 |
| Liabilities | ||||
| Grant commitments | 6,551 | 7,151 | 13,702 | 17,876 |
| Independent examiner’s | ||||
| fee | - | - | - | - |
Independent examiner’s fee MJ Younger Trustee 9 February 2026
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Notes to the accounts – for the period to 31[st] October 2025
1. Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
2. Nature and purpose of funds
Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. The trustees maintain a single unrestricted fund for the day-to-day running of the charity.
Restricted funds may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for specific purposes.
3. Related party transactions
No remuneration was paid to the trustees or any connected persons during the period.
4. Donations Received
| Donations Total donations |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds £ £ 26,987 9,152 26,987 9,152 |
Year ended 31 October 2025 £ 36,139 36,139 |
Year ended 31 October 2024 £ 31,354 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31,354 |
5. Cost of charitable activities
| Grants Paid Governance costs Total cost of charitable activities |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds £ £ 26,700 12,283 - - 26,700 12,283 |
Year ended 31 October 2025 £ 38,983 - 38,983 |
Year ended 31 October 2024 £ 34,080 45 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34,125 |
6. Governance costs
These accounts have been reviewed by the independent examiner free of any charge.
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Notes to the accounts – for the period to 31[st] October 2024 (continued)
7. Transfers between funds
The source of the restricted funds are donations made by shooting Archers based in the South of England and the designated beneficiary of these donations is Scotscare. The Trustees agree to augment the funds raised for Scotscare by £2,000 per annum.
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