OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-10-31-accounts

APPENDIX 1

OSCr Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period Trustees’ Annual Report for the period Trustees’ Annual Report for the period Trustees’ Annual Report for the period Trustees’ Annual Report for the period Trustees’ Annual Report for the period Trustees’ Annual Report for the period Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Period start date Period end date
Day Month Year Day Month Year
From
1
Nov 2024 To
31
Oct 2025

Reference and administration details

Charity name

Other names charity is known by Registered charity number

Charity’s principal address

Mallaig & District Newspaper SCIO

SC048780.

Morar Station Building Morar

Inverness-shire

Postcode PH40 4PB

Names of the charity trustees on date of approval of Trustees’ Annual Report

Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if
not for whole year
Name of person
(or body) entitled to
appoint trustee (if any)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Ann Lamont Chair
Claire Wortley
Jacqueline McDonell
Simon Bradshaw Treasurer
Kathy Bradshaw

1

APPENDIX 1

Reference and administration details

Names of all other charity trustees during the period, if any, (for example, those who resigned part way through the financial period)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year
Structure, governance and management
Type of governing document
Trustee recruitment and
appointment
Mallaig & District Newspaper was incorporated as am SCIO on 24th
October 2018, prior to that we had been a company limited by guarantee,
Mallaig & District Newspaper Limited, registered in Scotland as
SC151775.
Trustees can be nominated yearly at the AGM.
Objectives and activities
Charitable purposes
Summary of the main activities
in relation to these objects
We encourage and advance social responsibility for all in the community
of Lochaber and its surrounds through the production of a community
newspaper featuring contributions from all.
We promote the advancement of the arts and culture in Lochaber and the
surrounding area.
We encourage and showcase opportunities for our community to develop
their skills.
We produce a monthly newspaper and advance and promote community
development and cohesion within the North West Lochaber Area without
discrimination through the publication of local reports, news articles and
various other forms of information. We aim to promote, and act as a
vehicle for sharing information including adverts. We serve as a
mouthpiece for clubs, community organisations and individuals. The area
we operate in is North West Lochaber, a scattered remote area which
includes the Small Isles (Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna) and the Knoydart
peninsula.

2 APPENDIX 1

Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of
the charity during the financial period
We showed only a small deficit this year. However, we received £4,662 in
donations in the year. Finances remain challenging as social media is
affecting sales of printed newspapers and costs are rising. Throughout the
year, the Trustees have been investigating options to increase revenue
and reduce costs, and this includes the outsourcing of printing, which
would reduce costs and allow us to print in full colour.
We have one member of staff, the Editor, and we recruited a new Editor in
April 2025 after the previous one resigned.
We have printed around 800 issues monthly, which includes some 200
subscriptions which are mailed out all over the country, and to countries
abroad.
We have carried adverts for local businesses and free adverts for local
groups to inform the community of events that are being held. Our range
of adverts is increasing.
We have regular monthly contributions from the Small Isles and Knoydart;
the schools; the churches; sports clubs for golf, canoeing, football, etc;
nature experts; our Community Councils’ minutes and columns from our
MP and MSP; and significant local businesses such as Mallaig Harbour
Authority, and Mallaig Pool & Leisure. We showcase local events such as
the Highland Games and the annual Book Festival. There are many
success stories and entrepreneurial triumphs in the entire area each year
we are proud to showcase.

Financial review

Brief statement of the charity’s policy
on reserves
Details of any deficit
Donated facilities and services (if any)
The trustees maintain a single unrestricted fund for the day-to-day running
of the Charity. At the end of the financial year, the Trustees recognise that
the paper needs to generate more revenue to continue to operate.
Reserves have been dwindling and the Trustees hope to reverse this
during the next financial year.
£309 deficit caused by fewer sales, adverts and subscriptions, with rises in
costs. Social media affects real newspaper sales and the need for firms to
advertise.

APPENDIX 1

Other optional information

Declaration Declaration Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Jacqueline McDonell
Position (e.g. Chair)
Interim Chair
Date
29/07/2026
Jacqueline McDonell
Interim Chair
29/07/2026