REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: SC049973
Reportof the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st March 2025 for
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Farries Kirk & McVean Dumfries Enterprise Park Heathhall Dumfries DUMFRIESSHIRE DGI1 3S]
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
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|Independent|Examiner's|Report|8|
|Statement|of|Financial|Activities|9|
|Balance|Sheet|10|
|Notes|to|the|Financial|Statements|Il|to|16|
|Detailed|Statement|of Financial|Activities|17|to|18|
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The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO for the period | April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
The charity's purpose, as stated in the Scottish Charity Register is as follows:
The organisation has been formed to hold the lands and farm of Ellisland, and such other funds and assets as may from time to time be comprised in the Trust Property, in trust for the following purposes:
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advance education;
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advance the arts, heritage and culture;
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promote the life and works of Robert Burns; and
~ maintain a museum and collections for the benefit of the public.
The charity manages Ellisland Farm, the home built by Robert Burns in 1788. It cares for a nationally significant collection, historic buildings and landscape, and interprets the site's importance to Burns's creative life and Scotland's cultural heritage.
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The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Policies and objectives
In February 2022 the Trust published a 2022-2027 Five Year Forward Plan which set out the following mission statement:
"Ellisland is the place to fall in love with Bums. We will increase awareness of Ellisland as central to the artistic development of Robert Bums in poetry and romantic song. We will enhance understanding of the site as the best place to see the natural world through the poet's eyes"
The plan identifies five Key Aims that guide all activity:
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Invest in the conservation of the historic site and collection and widen access to both.
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Develop new income streams to secure the future of the site and collection.
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Increase understanding of Ellisland's significance in the creative development of Robert Burns and enhance awareness among diverse audiences. 4. Establish a staff and volunteer team to grow capacity, expand membership, support fundraising and develop partnerships. 5. Establish strong partnerships with community, educational, national and international stakeholders Key Aim One - Conservation and Access The Trust made major progress towards conserving Ellisland's historic fabric and ensuring the site remains publicly accessible. The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) awarded up to £489,207 for the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne development phase of a restoration and interpretation project. This followed several years of preparatory work with consultants, architects and surveyors to assess the buildings! condition and future use. The project will restore the 18th-century farmhouse to Burns's time and adapt the outbuildings for displays. events and education. We intend to create a café, upgraded museum space and visitor accommodation while making the site more accessible. The project to restore the site is called Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne (SHALS). Afler the award from the Heritage Fund announced in October 2024, we raised match funding in order to obtain "Permission to Start." The plan for the project is now focused on the historic buildings at risk. An earlier 2023 proposal to create a large new visitor centre is not being pursued due to cost and the need to make all developments sustainable,
We were grateful to receive an award of £313,210 from South of Scotland Enterprise in December 2024 and a £60,000 Museum Development Grant from Museums Galleries Scotland in 2024. In addition, The Holywood Trust agreed that our existing grant could support delivery of activity aspects of the project and be carried over into the duration of the SHALS project, which is due to continue until August 2026. We also agreed an extension to our £4,000 Foundation Scotland / Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Company grant, which supports artists’ fees for activity delivered as part of the project.
As a result of securing full match funding, the project received Permission to Start from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in February 2025. After a procurement process via Public Contracts Scotland and managed by Armour Construction Consultants, we appointed a design team led by Collective Architecture. This work is ongoing, and we expect to see designs to RIBA Stage 3 submitted to the planning authority in February 2026.
In 2024-25 we successfully completed the full restoration of the Gerock-made Burns Family Flute to playable condition. The conservation project was led by our curator Adam Dickson and funded by the Pilgrim Trust via the Association of Independent Museums.
We made improvements to our museum display as part of the Burns, Barns and Byres project, funded by Historic Environment Scotland, Museums Galleries Scotland and the People's Postcode Lottery. This included a redisplay of items associated with Jean Armour and the Burns family in new cases in the more environmentally controlled cottage. We also redisplayed remaining items with new interpretation in the Granary Museum.
Funding from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) was used to improve museum conditions and accessibility. This included making the inside space in the Granary fully accessible to wheelchairs and making the display itself more coherent, with a new retail area and signage. We also invested in upgrading our dehumidifiers to improve collection conditions.
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for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Report of the Trustees
We were delighted to receive a gift of a letter written by Robert Burns's friend, neighbour and collaborator, Robert Riddell. The letter was donated by our trustee Professor Gerard Carruthers.We are also grateful for a donation from Dr William Napier that allowed us to purchase a layout plan of the cottage created by Burns, believed to date from the very early 19th century. This will help inform the restoration.
Key Aim Two - Developing Sustainable Income
Ensuring Ellisland's long-term financial resilience is a central goal.
Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne is focused on making Ellisland financially sustainable in the long term. As part of the project, we commissioned a new business plan from Rob Robinson Heritage and revisions to our Outline Business Case from Biggar Economics. Collective Architecture are working on designs for holiday accommodation to boost future income.
Grant income: The spending of grant income in 2024-25 is reflected in our accounts as £150,669 to support operations, conservation and education, as well as the SHALS development project. The figure in the accounts reflects the actual spend in 2024-25. Some of this is grants awarded in the previous financial year; similarly, some grants awarded in 2024-25 will be spent in future years.
For completeness, grants awarded in 2024-25:
£489,207 - National Lottery Heritage Fund, Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne (Development Phase) £313,210 - South of Scotland Enterprise, Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne
£80,008 - The Holywood Trust, Making Ellisland Sustainable Creative 3 (Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne)
£60,000 - Museums Galleries Scotland, Museum Development Grant (curation staffing and interpretation plan)
£4,870 - Pilgrim Trust / Association of Independent Museums (restoration of Burns Family Flute)
In addition to the grants awarded, the SHALS project benefits from a cashflow loan of £50,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund.
Grants awarded in previous years and spent in 2024-25 included:
£15,727 - Historic Environment Scotland, Burns, Barns and Byres Project
£12,000 - Museums Galleries Scotland, Burns, Barns and Byres Project
£11,593 - People's Postcode Lottery, Burns, Barns and Byres Project
£21,670 - Support for the development project ahead of the[NLHF][application][(professional][fees)] £69,296 - The Holywood Trust (operations and activities including school visits, educational work and youth employment) £15,871 - SOSE (capacity support ahead of the NLHF application) £26,329 - SOSE for RIBA 2/3 (awarded 2022; balance fully spent in capital in 2024) £1,763 - Dumfries and Galloway Big Summer Fund (children's activities in summer 2024)
We also participated in the Scottish Book Trust Live Literature Scheme.
The holiday accommodation, Auld Acquaintance Cottage, restored with SOSE funding, opened in July 2023. Bookings increased steadily through 2024, supported by national media coverage in The Times, The Scotsman and digital promotion via Scotland's Stories arranged via South of Scotland Destination Alliance. Income from the cottage in 2024-25 was £11,798, rising from £8,286 in 2023-24.
Visitor income was £10,900 in 2024-25, up from £8,286 in 2023-24. This covered income from events and retail as well as standard entry.
Membership income was £3,988 in 2024-25, down from £4,112 in 2023-24. This reflects the cost-of-living increase causing people to cancel or review subscriptions.
Our grass let to the neighbouring farmer remains an important source ofannual income, bringing in £11,500 in 2024-25,
Our income from donations in 2024-25 was £2,411. This is down from the previous year, which was unusual in that it included a single large donation of £20,000 from the Scotbelge Trust to support a fundraising strategy. Excluding that donation, other donations have risen year on year,
Key Aim Three - Understanding and Engagement
The Trust continues to inspire new audiences to explore Burns's creativity and Ellisland's place in his life.
Educational visits and workshops continued throughout 2024-25.
Events such as the Sunny Burns Bash, an open day in the summer of 2024 designed to attract families, included dancing displays, live music and storytelling as well as food and drink.
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The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Report of the Trustees for the YearEnded 31stMarch 2025
The Burns, Barns and Byres Project funded an exhibition called Beyond Burns, curated vy which told the story of Ellisland's social history and the families that lived here after Burns left in 1791. It also looked at the work of 20th and 21st century volunteers when the site went into trust in 1928. The exhibition opened in September 2024 with the first weekend free as part of Doors Open Day. The project also funded further events in summer 2024, including a talk byRe ©: Burns and Mary Queen of Scots, and a talk )\ RT author of The Jewel, alongside Mossgiel Organic Farm. There was a Gardeners’ Question Time, displays by the Dumfries Historic Dance Society, children's storytelling, and butter, cheesemaking and beeswax candle-making workshops. Some of these received additional funding through Dumfries and Galloway Council's Big Summer Fund, which subsidised lunches and transport to make events accessible.
In January 2025 we ran storytelling events for young children and a family Burns lunch with entertainment in the historic kitchen of the Burns Cottage as part ofthe Big Burns Supper.
Beyond Burns also resulted in a collaboration with artists from The Stove Network to produce azine, This was sold at The Stove and in our shop. In January 2025 our work at Ellis! eatured in a debate for Burns Night in the Scottish Parliament. The debate was led by our local constituency Ahead of the debate aaa secured a room for us to mect with other MSPs, an event which was very well attended. We received extensive media coverage in 2024-25. The Beyond Burns exhibition was reviewed by i i: Burns Chronicle and covered in the local press as well as The Herald. The announcement of the Heritage Fund grant was widely covered by the BBC, The Independent, The Daily Record, The Herald and local media, including the front page of the Dumfries and Galloway Standard. It also featured in the architectural and construction media.
Trustees and staff delivered talks and media work promoting Ellisland's role in Burns's story, including presentations at the University of Glasgow's Centre for Robert Burns Studies and participation in the Dumfries Burns Tourism Partnership. Our trustee BR 01 tributed to BBC Out of Doors about Ellisland. Although outwith the time period covered in the ant Ave the first performance of the Burns Family Flute at Blackie House in Edin i suct 2025 The flute is played by as part of a trio with musiciansa Harpist played at the Blackie house event. We are grateful .. his support. The trio have worked closely on the "Ellisland Songbook" researching and rehearsing music created at Ellisland which appeared in Burns's Scots Musical Museum. The event generated widespread interest and publicity through the BBC website. We plan to use the trio for future events. Our work has featured as a case study in the annual reports, newsletters and promotions of several funders. We featured in the Architectural Heritage Fund newsletter in January 2025.
Key Aim Four - People, Staffing and Volunteering
The charity relies on a small professional team and a dedicated group of[volunteers.]
Staff posts in 2024-25 were funded by a range of grants including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Museums Galleries Scotland, The Holywood Trust, the People's Postcode Lottery, Historic Environment Scotland and SOSE. Roles included a Project Director, Project Manager and Museum Project Officer (later Project Curator), an Events Officer, Administrator and seasonal front-of-house staff. We also have a freelance Director of Development and freelance marketing support. The Trust continues to maintain its Living Wage accreditation and adopted Fair Work practices. The Burns, Barns and Byres Project allowed us to recruit two staff for six months in 2024. This included our Museum Officer, ma | a graduate in Museum Studies from the University of Glasgow. Adam's position was extended beyond the project thanks to funding from The Holywood Trust. Following an open interview process, he was appointed Project Curator for Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne. This also helped our Project Director focus on the application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Holywood Trust funded an Events Officer in carly 2024. The post was filled but became vacant again after three months. We agreed with the funder to re-advertise the post as part of the SHALS project and this has now been done, A SOSE capacity-building grant allowed us to fund a key post in 2024-25 for four months. This meant we were able to submit our National Lottery Heritage Fund application in May 2024, which was ultimately successful.
The maintenance volunteer team continued to deliver outstanding results in groundworks and path repairs, while education volunteers enhanced the visitor offer through craft and interpretation activities.
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The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO for Reportof the Trustees the Year Ended 31st March 2025 We now have a weekly volunteer archivist who has been archiving all the minutes of the previous Ellisland Trust so we have a_ better understanding of the site and its history. OuralongsideBeyondcuratorBurns AdamexhibitionDicksonwasat thesupported openingby of volunteerthe exhibition in Septemberduring a2024, gap year between school and university. 7 spoke We appreciate the work of all our volunteers, In 2024 they were thanked at a special Christmas lunch on site.
Key Aim Five - Partnerships and Collaboration
Strong collaboration remains central to the Trust's approach.
Key partners include the University of Glasgow's Centre for Robert Burns Studies, Museums Galleries Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, South of Scotland Enterprise, Dumfries and Galloway Council, The Stove Network, The Globe Inn and Annandale Distillery.
The Trust is an active member of the Burns Scotland network, the Dumfries and Galloway Museums and Heritage Network, and the South of Scotland Destination Alliance.
These partnerships have strengthened Ellisland's national profile and ensured expert guidance on conservation, museum practice and heritage tourism.
The Trust continues to participate in the regional Burns Tourism Partnership, helping position Dumfriesshire as a key cultural destination.
We are in the carly stages ofa Ellisland Ambassadors Programme, We have not yet fully formalised this but we are delighted the |
Public benefit
The Trustees confirm that all activities of the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust provide clear public benefit in line with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and OSCR guidance. Through conservation, education and creative engagement, the Trust safeguards and shares the heritage of Robert Burns for the benefit of the public, promoting learning, wellbeing and cultural pride. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Main achievements of the Charity
Key milestones in 2024-25 included:
Successful National Lottery Heritage Fund development grant secured, along with Permission to Start.
Securing match funding from SOSE, The Holywood Trust and Museums Galleries Scotland to allow the SHALS project to start.
Commissioning an architect-led design team and other consultants to develop plans for Saving the Home ofAuld Lang Syne.
Successful delivery of our Burns, Barns and Byres project, which allowed us to recruit two staff (six-month contracts) to deliver a programme of summer events in 2024 to attract a wider range of visitors, especially families; mount our first ever temporary exhibition, Beyond Burns, in September 2024; and upgrade the conditions for collection care, including new displays.
Further investment in protecting the collection and making it more accessible.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position Total income for the year was £215,865 with total expenditure of£208,832.
Grant income formed the majority of resources, supplemented by visitor admissions, membership fees, holiday accommodation and donations.
The Trust's finances remain stable with careful management of[restricted][and][unrestricted][funds.]
Reserves policy
While no formal reserves policy is yet in place, the Financial Controls Policy (2021) ensures adequate reserves to meet commitments and project obligations. The Trustees intend to review the reserves position annually as unrestricted income grows.
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The Robert Burns[Ellisland][Trust][SClO]
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
FUTURE PLANS 2025 - 2026
Much work has been achieved since the end of the financial year 2024-25. This includes:
Commissioning an Interpretation Plan from Abound Consultants that will set the direction of how we tell Ellisland's story after redevelopment (procured through a competitive tendering process).
Commissioning an Activity Plan io _ iii formerly of the David Livingstone Birthplace Museum. Commissioning a short film from Stroma to help our campaign Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne. Commissioning a Governance Review fioo 6Clti(<‘ ;CézS Culture and Business Scotland. A pilot residency in partnership with the Scottish Poetry Library, in which the former Poet Laureate of Jamaica worked with the National Makar of[Scotland][at][Ellisland.]
The world debut of the restored Burns Family Flute during the 2025 Edinburgh Festival at Blackie House Library and Museum in Edinburgh. Song 101 - a series of songwriting workshops with young people aged 16-25 in summer/autumn 2025, culminating in a recording and live performance.
Expansion of the staff to include a Project Audience Development Operations Manager, a Project Officer for Education, Engagement and Events, a Project Curator, a freelance Director of Development to support fundraising, and freelance marketing support. Longer opening in summer 2025 - six days a week - with improved marketing for the muscum and holiday accommodation as part of the SHALS project, supported by fresh investment in promotional materials and marketing. Working with the University of Glasgow's Centre for Robert Burns Studies to transcribe the "Barnbougle Papers," which include Burns's shopping lists at Ellisland. Our curator is researching how this material can inform the restoration. More consistent social media campaigns and internal communications with support from external marketing, professionals. In June 2025 we collaborated with the charity Nithlife, working with the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere and the South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre. Continuing the SHALS development phase with the aim of submitting a delivery-stage application in August 2026. Focusing on fundraising for the delivery stage of the project and the RIBA 4 technical design stage due to begin in February 2026. We are currently pursuing applications to a number of statutory funders for this work. Holding further fundraising events featuring the Burns Family Flute. Delivering a programme ofengagement and cultural events in 2026. Growing visitor numbers and membership through improved marketing and an events programme in 2025-26.
Strengthening governance and preparing for the delivery stage of the capital project.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The charity is controlled by it's governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes a Scottish Cheritable Incorporated Organisation
Charity constitution
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO is a registered charity, number $C049973, and is constituted under a Trust deed. The SCIO was established on 20 February 2020 however only commenced operations on | April 2020 when the trade, assets and liabilities of a predecessor charity, The Ellisland Trust, were transferred to the ownership of the SCIO.
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The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Keport of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees The management of[the][Charity][is][the][responsibility][of][the][Trustees][who][are][elected][and][co-opted][under][the][terms][of][the][Trust] deed, The trust has created role descriptions for trustee and trustee-chair positions, and a recruitment pack.All trustee candidates are interviewed by a sub-committee ofthe board.
Induction and training of new trustees
New trustees have a session with the Chair of the Board, and, if possible, arrange to visit the site at the earliest opportunity for an information session and orientation with the Project Director
Risk management The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the Charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error, A risk management committce was established in September 2024.The Board began monthly Project Committee meetings that assess risk in the SHALS project and the wider organisation including the review of a Risk Register.
In addition to the monthly project committee meetings, which include the whole board, we have quarterly board meetings. There is also a Museum Sub committee
Members' liability
The Members ofthe Charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the Charity in the event of winding up.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity number $C049973
Principal address
Robert Burns Ellisland Farm Holywood Road Auldgirth Dumfries DG2 ORP
Trustees
“arries Kirk & McVean Dumfries Enterprise Park Heathhall Dumfries DUMFRIESSHIRE DGI1 38J
Approved by order ofthe board oftrustees OM .........cscesssessesenueesseeenseeee aNd Signed on its behalf by:
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trusteesof The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 set out on pages nine to sixteen.
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 Charitics 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 I 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 :
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and
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- 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.
Farries Kirk & McVean Dumfries Enterprise Park Heathhall Dumfries DUMERIESSHIRE DG! 3SJ
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The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|Total|
|fund|funds|funds|funds|
|Notes|£|£|£|£|
|INCOME|AND|ENDOWMENTS|FROM|
|Donations|and|legacies|2,896|174,705|177,601|150,699|
|Other|trading|activities|3|27,364|1|27,365|24,353|
|Other|income|10,900|-|10,900|7,832|
|Total|41,160|174,706|215,866|182,884|
|EXPENDITURE|ON|
|Raising|funds|63,766|148,652|212,418|206,176|
|NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)|(22,606)|26,054|3,448|(23,292)|
|RECONCILIATION|OF|FUNDS|
|Total|funds|brought|forward|271,261|23,286|294,547|317,839|
|TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD|248,655|49,340|297,995|294,547|
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The notes form part of these financial statements
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The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCLO
Balance Sheet 3ist March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| fund | funds | funds | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | z | & | |
| FIXED ASSETS | |||||
| Tangible assets | 6 | 198,482 | . | 198,482 | 223,641 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||||
| Debtors | - | 26,329 | 2,435 | 28,764 | 7,760 |
| Cash at bank | 27,761 | 50,490 | 78,251 | 68,773 | |
| 54,090 | §2,925 | 107,015 | 76,533 | ||
| CREDITORS | |||||
| Amounts falling due within one year | 8 | (2,405) | (3,585) | (5,990) | (3,791) |
| NETCURRENTASSETS | 51,685 | 49,340 | 101,025 | 72,742 | |
| TOTALASSETS LESSCURRENT LIABILITIES | 250,167 | 49,340 | 299,507 | 296,383 | |
| CREDITORS | |||||
| Amounts falling due after more than one year | 9 | (1,512) | - | (1,512) | (1,836) |
| NETASSETS | 248,655 | 49.340 | 297,995 | 294,547 | |
| FUNDS | 11 | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | 248,655 | 271,261 | |||
| Restricted funds | 49,340 | 23,286 | |||
| TOTALFUNDS | 297,995 | 294,547 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue ON .....cccceceeseseeeneeeeee and were signed on its behalf by:
The notes form part of these financial statements
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The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
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- GENERAL INFORMATION
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with OSCR. The registered office and principal place of business is The Robert Burns Ellisland Farm, Holywood Road, Auldgirth, DG2 ORP.
Amounts in these financial statements are presented in GBP and rounded to the nearest pound unless stated otherwise.
- 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, Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance ofincome received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.
Income
Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.
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. Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading. Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT,
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
At cach reporting date the Charity assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined to be the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, on a reducing balance basis.
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.
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continued...
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
2 ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Fund accounting
Further explanation ofthe nature and purpose ofcach fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement ofFinancial Activities in the period to which they relate.
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
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||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Fishing|Income|78|60|
|Holiday|Let|Income|11,799|8,286|
|Grass|Rent|11,500|11,895|
|Membership|Income|3,988|4,112|
|27,365|24,353|
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TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31st March 2024.
Trustees! expenses
There were no trustees! expenses paid for the year ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31st March 2024.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
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|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|
|fund|funds|funds|
|£|£|£|
|INCOME|AND|ENDOWMENTS|FROM|
|Donations|and|legacies|1,765|148,934|150,699|
|Other trading|activities|24,353|-|24,353|
|Other|income|7,832|-|7,832|
|Total|33,950|148,934|182,884|
|EXPENDITURE|ON|
|Raising|funds|74,006|132,170|206,176|
|NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)|(40,056)|16,764|(23,292)|
|RECONCILIATION|OF|FUNDS|
|Total|funds|brought forward|311,317|6,522|317,839|
|TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED|FORWARD|271,261|23,286|294,547|
----- End of picture text -----
Page 12
continued...
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
| 6. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Improvements | Fixtures | |||||
| to | Plant | and | and | |||
| property | machinery | fittings | Totals | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| COST | ||||||
| At Ist April 2024 and 31st March 2025 | 239,536 | 9,964 | 2,398 | 251,898 | ||
| DEPRECIATION | ||||||
| At Ist April 2024 | 23,954 | 4,103 | 200 | 28,257 | ||
| Charge for year | 23,954 | 875 | 330 | 25,159 | ||
| At 31st March 2025 | 47,908 | 4,978 | 530 | 53,416 | ||
| NET BOOK VALUE | ||||||
| At 31stMarch 2025 | 191,628 | 4,986 | 1,868 | 198,482 | ||
| At 31stMarch 2024 | 215,582 | 5,861 | 2,198 | 223,641 | ||
| 7, | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Trade debtors | 28,764 | 250 | ||||
| 8. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Trade creditors | 281 | 304 | ||||
| Taxation and social security | - | 1,059 | ||||
| Other creditors | 5,709 | 2,428 | ||||
| 5,990 | 3,791 | |||||
| 9. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN | ONE YEAR | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Other creditors | 1,512 | 1,836 | ||||
| 10. | LOANS | |||||
| An analysis ofthe maturity of loans is given below: | ||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Amounts falling due within one year on demand: | ||||||
| Other loans | 324 | 324 | ||||
| Amounts falling between one and two years: | ||||||
| Other loans - 1-2 years | 324 | 1,836 | ||||
| Amounts falling due between two and five years: | ||||||
| Other loans - 2-5 years | 972 | - | ||||
| Amounts falling due in more than five years: | ||||||
| Repayable by instalments: | ||||||
| Otherloansmore5yrsinstal | 216 | - |
Page 13
continued...
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
- MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net | ||||
| movement | At | |||
| At 1.4.24 | in funds | 31.3.25 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 271,261 | (22,606) | 248,655 | |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Burns, Barns, Byres Project SOSE -RIBA Phase 2 and Phase 3 TheHolywood Trust AIM Pilgrims Trust SHALS Foundation Scotland SOSE Renovation ofHistoric Buildings |
12,263 - 11,023 - - - |
(12,263) 7,616 5,893 2,435 3,660 18,713 |
- 7,616 16,916 2,435 3,660 18,713 |
|
| 23,286 | 26,054 | 49,340 | ||
| TOTALFUNDS | 294,547 | 3,448 | 297,995 | |
| Netmovement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | ||||
| : | ||||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | ||
| resources | expended | in funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 41,160 | (63,766) | (22,606) | |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Burns, Barns, Byres Project SOSE - RIBA Phase 2 and Phase 3 D&G Big Summer Fund SOSE Capacity Building The Holywood Trust AIM Pilgrims Trust SHALS Foundation Scotland SOSERenovation of Historic Buildings |
23.251 22,195 1,763 11,905 88,009 4,870 4,000 18,713 |
(35,514) (14,579) (1,763) (11,905) (82,116) (2,435) (340) - |
(12,263) 7.616 - - 5,893 2,435 3,660 18,713 |
: |
| 174,706 | (148,652) | 26,054 | ||
| TOTALFUNDS | 215,866 | (212,418) | 3,448 | |
| Comparatives for movement in funds | ||||
| Net | ||||
| movement | At | |||
| At 1.4.23 | in funds | 31.3.24 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 311,317 | (40,056) | 271,261 | |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Burns, Barns, Byres Project D&G BigSummerFund TheHolywood Trust |
- 480 6,042 |
12,263 (480) 4,981 |
12,263 - 11,023 |
|
| 6,522 | 16,764 | 23,286 | ||
| TOTALFUNDS | 317,839 | (23,292) | 294,547 |
Page 14
continued...
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
==> picture [426 x 193] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Incoming|Resources|Movement|
|resources|expended|in|funds|
|£|£|£|
|Unrestricted|funds|:|
|General|fund|33,950|(74,006)|(40,056)|
|Restricted|funds|
|Burns,|Barns,|Byres|Project|16,146|(3,883)|12,263|
|SOSE|-|RIBA|Phase|2|and|Phase|3|9,593|(9,593)|-|
|D&G|Big|Summer|Fund|-|(480)|(480)|
|SOSE|Capacity|Building|3,967|(3,967)|-|
|MGS|Capital|Fund|1,575|(1,575)|-|
|The|Holywood|Trust|77,838|(72,857)|4,981|
|Architectural|Heritage|19,815|(19,815)|-|
|Scotbelge|Charitable|Trust|20,000|(20,000)|-|
|148,934|(132,170)|16,764|
|TOTAL FUNDS|182,884|(206,176)|(23,292)|
----- End of picture text -----
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
==> picture [422 x 182] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Net|
|movement|At|
|At|1.4.23|in|funds|31.3.25|
|£|£|£|
|Unrestricted|funds|
|General|fund|311,317|(62,662)|248,655|
|Restricted|funds|
|SOSE|-|RIBA|Phase|2|and|Phase|3|-|7,616|7,616|
|D&G|Big|Summer|Fund|480|(480)|-|
|The|Holywood|Trust|6,042|10,874|16,916|
|AIM|Pilgrims|Trust|-|2,435|2,435|
|SHALS|Foundation|Scotland|-|3,660|3,660|
|SOSE|Renovation|ofHistoric|Buildings|-|18,713|18,713|
|6,522|42,818|49,340|
|TOTAL|FUNDS|317,839|(19,844)|297,995|
----- End of picture text -----
Page 15
continued...
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SC1O
11. 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 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 75.110 | (137,772) | (62,662) | |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Burns, Barns, Byres Project | 39,397 | (39,397) | - | |
| SOSE -RIBA Phase 2 and Phase 3 | 31,788 | (24,172) | 7,616 | |
| D&G BigSummer Fund SOSE Capacity Building |
1,763 15,872 |
(2,243 ) (15,872) |
(480) - |
|
| MGS Capital Fund | 1575 | (1,575) | - | |
| The Holywood Trust Architectural Heritage |
165,847 19,815 |
(154,973 ) (19,815) |
10,874 - |
|
| AIM Pilgrims Trust | 4,870 | (2,435) | 2,435 | |
| SHALS Foundation Scotland | 4,000 | (340) | 3,660 | |
| Scotbelge Charitable Trust SOSE Renovation ofHistoric Buildings |
20,000 18,713 |
(20,000) - |
- 18,713 |
|
| 323,640 | (280,822 ) | 42,818 | ||
| TOTALFUNDS | 398,750 | (418,594) | (19,844) | |
| 12. | RELATEDPARTYDISCLOSURES |
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st March 2025.
Page 16
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust SCIO
Detailedfor the StatementYear Endedof Financial31st MarchActivities2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Donations | 2,411 | 21,765 |
| Grants | 175,190 | 128,934 |
| 177,601 | 150,699 | |
| Other trading activities | ||
| Fishing Income | 78 | 60 |
| Holiday Let Income | 11,799 | 8,286 |
| Grass Rent | 11,500 | 11,895 |
| Membership Income | 3,988 | 4,112 |
| 27,365 | 24,353 | |
| Other income | ||
| Visitor Income - Events | 1,685 | 1,224 |
| Visitor Income - Shop Sales | 1,006 | 915 |
| VisitorIncome - Standard | 8,209 | 5,693 |
| 10,900 | 7,832 | |
| Total incoming resources | 215,866 | 182,884 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Raising donations and legacies | ||
| Just Giving Fees | 1 | 36 |
| Shop Costs | 495 | 103 |
| Event Costs | 3,061 | 1,589 |
| Collection Care | 2,668 | - |
| Learning Programmes | 288 | - |
| Donation Charges | 180 | - |
| Museum Acquisitions | 353 | - |
| Project Costs | 6,637 | - |
| Events - Group Visits | 168 | - |
| Events - School Visits | 75 | - |
| Events - Volunteer Programme | 70 | - |
| 13,996 | 1,728 | |
| Other trading activities | ||
| Holiday Let Costs | 8,249 | 6,389 |
| Support costs | ||
| Management | ||
| Wages | 105,257 | 88,228 |
| Social security | 3,999 | 2,795 |
| Pensions | 2,105 | 1,848 |
| Loan Fee | 750 | - |
| Repairs | 7,543 | 4,310 |
| Rates and water | 1,158 | 227 |
| Insurance Electricity |
6,354 7,714 |
5,812 20,632 |
| Carriedforward | 134,880 | 123,852 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 17
The Robert Burns Ellistand Trust SCIO
| Detailed Statement ofFinancial Activities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| for the Year Ended 31st March 2025 | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Management | |||
| Brought forward | 134,880 | 123,852 | |
| Telephone | 1,428 | 1,133 | |
| Professional Fees | 12,429 | 40,041 | |
| Website Expenses | 1,770 | 2,100 | |
| Sundries | 2,722 | 2,345 | |
| Management Costs | 1,546 | 360 | |
| Accountancy Fees | 3,404 | 2,609 | |
| Cleaning& Facility Materials | 343 | - | |
| Security& Fire | 1,249 | - | |
| Subscriptions | 1,155 | - | |
| Gardening& Maintenance | 4,088 | - | |
| Improvements to property | 23,954 | 23,954 | |
| Plant and machinery | 875 | 1,465 | |
| Fixtures and fittings | 330 | 200 | |
| 190,173 | 198,059 | ||
| Total resources expended | 212,418 | 206,176 | |
| Netincome/(expenditure) | 3,448 | (23,292) |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 18