Fèis Phàislig Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025
Charity Number SC053367 Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO)
Fèis Phàislig Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 August 2025
Contents
Trustees' report (incorporating the strategic report) ......................................................... 2 - 6 Independent examiner's report ............................................................................................... 7 Statement of receipts and payments (incorporating the income and expenditure account) .. 8 Balance sheet ........................................................................................................................ 9 Notes to the financial statements ................................................................................. 10 - 14
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Fèis Phàislig
Trustees’ Report
The trustees present their report and the charity’s financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, Its Trustees and Advisors
The registered name of the charity is “Fèis Phàislig SCIO”.
Fèis Phàislig SCIO is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), registered in Scotland (charity number SCO53367) and as such, is exempt from Income and Corporation Tax in relation to its charitable activities.
Registered Office
The registered address of the Organisation is:
Flat 2/2 1 Mansionhouse Road Paisley PA1 3RG
Current Trustees
The Trustees are as follows:
Karen Anderson (Chair) Eleanor Whiteford (Secretary) Lorraine MacDonald (Treasurer)
Along with the above, the following non-executive committee members form the operational committee of the Organisation:
Jim McFarlane Joy Dunlop Joanna Byrne Sarah Kidd
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Fèis Phàislig
Structure, Governance and Management
Organisational Structure
On 17 May 2024, the organisation transitioned from an unincorporated charity (SC045342) to a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), with the new charity number SC053367. All assets and liabilities were transferred to the SCIO, and the former charity has since been formally wound up.
The governing document of the Organisation is its constitution, originally adopted on 2 November 2014. Following the transition to SCIO status, a revised constitution was approved by the charity trustees on 6 October 2024 and applies from the 2024-25 financial year onwards.
Board meetings are held regularly throughout the year, particularly in the period leading up to Fèis Week, and are responsible for the strategic direction, governance and oversight of the Organisation. All trustees are entitled to attend and participate in these meetings.
Trustees are appointed or reappointed annually at the Annual General Meeting. Newly appointed trustees undertake an induction process, including briefings from the Chair and an overview of the Organisation's governance, activities and responsibilities. All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration for their duties as charity trustees.
The day-to-day management and delivery of the Organisation is overseen by the Fèis Director, Grant McFarlane, who is engaged on a self-employed basis. Administrative support is provided by Anna Whiteford, who is also engaged by the Organisation on a part-time self-employed basis. Their work is supported by the operational committee, tutors and volunteers.
Grant McFarlane receives a monthly fee for his work as Fèis Director and is also engaged in additional project delivery roles, including tutoring within the Weekly Lessons programme, work as part of the Stramash for Schools tour, performances at external events and coordination of Fèis Week. Anna Whiteford receives payment for the administrative services she provides to the Organisation. Payments made for these roles are in line with rates paid to others undertaking comparable work on behalf of the Organisation.
Additional Governance Issues
All committee members and any volunteers are required by Fèisean nan Gàidheal to undergo checks under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG Scheme), which is administered by Disclosure Scotland. Karen Anderson is the nominated Child Protection Officer within the committee.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal is the umbrella body for all Fèisean, of which the Organisation is a member.
Objectives and Activities
Fèis Phàislig SCIO is established for charitable purposes, specifically:
a) Cultural Promotion: To promote interest, education and participation in Gaelic language, traditional music, and cultural heritage, with a particular focus on Paisley and Renfrewshire.
b) Community Engagement: To plan, programme, and deliver a year-round calendar of events and activities, working in collaboration with local musical, arts and educational bodies to enrich cultural life and community engagement.
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c) Youth Empowerment: To provide accessible, high-quality opportunities for children and young people to experience Gaelic culture and traditional music, fostering confidence, inclusivity, and cultural pride.
To achieve these aims, the organisation delivers a year-round programme of events and learning opportunities for children and young people aged 5–25 in the Renfrewshire area. This includes an annual ‘Fèis Week’, a programme of weekly instrumental classes, a summer ‘Cèilidh Trail’ for earlycareer musicians, and a Gaelic Choir project. Further information can be found at www.feisphaislig.com.
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Fèis Phàislig
Strategic Report
Achievements, Performance and Plans for Future Periods
Fèis Phàislig was established in November 2014 to provide traditional music opportunities for young people in Renfrewshire. In 2025, we continued to grow our year-round programme, reaching children, young people, families, schools and communities through traditional music, Gaelic language and cultural activity across the region.
Following our transition to SCIO status in 2024, the organisation operated throughout the year under its strengthened governance structure. This provided a strong foundation for continued programme growth, improved internal systems and longer-term planning.
We are grateful for the continued support of our funders, including Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Renfrewshire Council, Creative Scotland, trusts and foundations, Local Partnerships and other local partners. Their contributions were vital in allowing us to deliver meaningful and accessible opportunities throughout the year.
We are especially thankful to our tutors, staff, board members and volunteers, whose commitment underpins the quality and success of our work. Their efforts ensure that participants continue to enjoy high-quality, welcoming and inspiring experiences.
Below are highlights of our key activities and accomplishments during the 2024-25 financial year:
Fèis Week (Seachdain na Fèise):
Fèis Week 2025 ran from 15-18 July at Johnstone High School and welcomed 197 participants across Fèis Bheag, Main Fèis and Advanced Fèis. A team of 26 tutors delivered a wide-ranging programme including traditional music, Gaelic song, art, dance, filmmaking, circus skills, chanter/whistle and bandwork. The week concluded with a lively Friday concert, showcasing participants’ progress to family and friends.
Weekly Lessons (Clasaichean gach Seachdain):
Our weekly instrumental classes continued to grow during the year, with strong participation across accordion, fiddle, guitar, senior band and Fèis Bheag. The programme supported progression, confidence and ensemble playing through regular Saturday tuition, workshop days and performance opportunities. Highlights included summer and Christmas concerts, care home performances and continued development of our teaching and repertoire resources.
Schools Engagement & Outreach:
Our schools programme remained one of our largest areas of delivery. The Youth Music Initiative programme engaged 1,006 pupils across 23 schools, delivering traditional music and Gaelic sessions in partnership with Renfrewshire Council Music Service. Our ASN Traditional Music Project continued in Mary Russell School and Riverbrae School, with additional assistant tutor roles introduced. Our Stramash for Schools tour delivered 45 school visits across Renfrewshire, introducing thousands of pupils to traditional music and Gaelic language.
Ceilidh Trail:
The Ceilidh Trail returned in 2025, supporting four young musicians through rehearsal, training and a two-week performance tour. The group delivered 24 performances across libraries, care homes, community venues, festivals and collaborative events, developing skills in stagecraft, ceilidh calling, technical setup, repertoire and audience engagement.
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Gaelic Choir (Còisir Ghàidhlig):
Our Gaelic Choir continued to meet weekly and had another successful year under the leadership of Mairi MacGillivray. The choir performed at community and Fèis events and achieved notable success at Mòd Loch Abar in Fort William, winning the Under-13 Unison competition and securing three trophies. Membership grew during the year, with around 14 regular participants by the end of 2025.
Other Projects:
• Local Partnership funding supported community ceilidhs, care home performances, roadshow pop-ups and come-and-try workshops across Renfrewshire.
• Our Youth Board was established, giving young people a stronger voice in shaping events, communications and participant experience.
• Our volunteer pool grew through Caraidean na Fèise, supporting concerts, ceilidhs, community activity and behind-the-scenes delivery.
• Planning began for our 10-Year Anniversary programme, supported by Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Organisations, including preparations for a major celebration and film project in 2026.
• Our monthly newsletter, website and social media activity continued to support engagement and promote opportunities to new audiences.
As we move into 2026, we remain focused on delivering accessible, inclusive and high-quality opportunities that celebrate Scotland’s traditional arts and promote Gaelic language and culture for young people across Renfrewshire and beyond. The year ahead will include the continued development of our core programmes, strengthened youth voice, deeper partnership working and the delivery of our 10-Year Anniversary programme.
Grant McFarlane Fèis Director May 2026
Financial Review
Financial Summary
The net incoming resources of the Organisation for the year amounted to £41,940 (2024: £9,615). Funding of £120,478 (2024: £57,828) was received from a number of public bodies and charitable organisations with related objectives, with further income of £95,486 (2024: £83,724) being generated from the Organisation’s charitable activities and activities for generating funds.
Expenditure during the year has supported the key objectives of the Organisation by enabling the activities described under Achievements and Performance above.
Some of the funding received in the year is conditional on the Organisation incurring the expenditure outlined in the various funding applications submitted. The trustees are confident that these conditions have been met, such that none of the funds received should become repayable. Funds of £149,190 are held at the year end.
The statement of receipts and payments is set out on page 8.
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The level of business and the year end position of the Organisation were both entirely satisfactory and the level of retained funds are sufficient to allow the Organisation to operate for the foreseeable future.
Equal Opportunities in Employment and Disabled Employees
The Organisation is committed to ensuring that the ethos and principles of equality of opportunity and valuing diversity are embedded in all aspects of service delivery and are a guiding principle for all its activities. The Organisation strives to embrace a positive attitude towards the promotion of equality and diversity and to create a working environment which is inclusive of everyone regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, carer responsibility, race, nationality, social or economic status, trade union membership or activity.
By Order of the Board of Trustees
Karen Anderson
Karen Anderson, Chair 29[th] May 2026
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Fèis Phàislig
Independent examiner's report
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2024 which are set out on pages 9 to 15.
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 report
My examination is 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 seeks explanations from the 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 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 Accounts Regulations, and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
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have not been met, or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jill Anderson
Jill Anderson
ICAS (Chartered Accountant)
14 Rosemont Place, Barrhead, G78 1FD
29th May 2026
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Fèis Phàislig
Statement of Receipts and Payments
for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Note Incoming resources Generated Funds Grant/Voluntary Income 2 Activities for Generating Funds: 2 Fèis week income Ceilidh Trail External events Incoming Resources from Charitable Activities: Fèis subscriptions Weekly lesson subscriptions Ceilidh trail Youth Music Initiative Stramash Renfrewshire Council – Early Years Instrument hire Sundry Total incoming resources Resources expended Charitable activities: Income Generation 3 Asset purchase Total resources expended Surplus / (deficit) for the year |
General Reserve (Year ended 31 August 2025) General Reserve (Year ended 31 August 2024) £ £ 120,478 57,828 1,846 1,697 9,978 - 12,756 5,113 19,619 16,605 31,239 21,110 - 16,269 0 0 0 24,597 7,689 3,000 3,082 3,180 697 3,783 |
|---|---|
| 215,964 **141,602 ** |
|
| 170,127 134,134 3,897 853 |
|
| 174,024 134,987 |
|
| 41,940 9,615 |
The notes to these financial statements form part of these financial statements.
Karen Anderson
Karen Anderson, Chair
29[th] May 2026
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Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025
| Note Funds reconciliation Cash at bank and in hand (opening) Surplus / (deficit) in the year Cash at bank and in hand (closing) Other assets Music equipment (at cost) 4 Cash at bank and in hand Bank deposit account Paypal account Total cash at bank and in hand |
31 August 2025 £ 31 August 2024 £ 107,250 97,635 41,940 9,615 |
|---|---|
| 149,190 107,250 |
|
| 10,439 6,542 |
|
| 141,667 93,464 7,523 13,786 |
|
| 149,190 107,250 |
Friday 29[th] May 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
Karen Anderson
Karen Anderson
Chair
The notes to these financial statements form part of these financial statements.
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Fèis Phàislig
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025
1 Principal Accounting Policies
The financial statements are prepared on the basis of income received and expenditure outlaid during the year.
The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the Organisation’s financial statements except as noted below.
The financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis, which provides that the Organisation will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
(a) Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Assets bought using funds generated by the operations of the Organisation are treated as owned by the Organisation.
(b) General Reserve
This is an unrestricted reserve. Surpluses and deficits from operational activities are accounted for through the Receipts and Payments Account.
(c) Income and Expenditure Recognition Policy
Incoming Resources
Income is recognised in the period in which it is received.
Resources Expended
Expenditure on operational programmes is recognised in the period in which it is incurred.
As no system exists to directly attribute costs between charitable expenditure and income generating expenditure an estimate is made each year based on activity.
There is no apportionment of indirect costs as these are considered to be immaterial.
(d) Going Concern
The financial statements have been prepared on the basis of accounting policies that are consistent with the treatment of the Organisation as a going concern. The Organisation’s available unrestricted reserves (‘free’ reserves) are in surplus at the year end and the Trustees are confident that sufficient funds will be available to support the Organisation throughout the period of the coming twelve months.
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Fèis Phàislig
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025
2 Incoming Resources
Voluntary Income
| Voluntary Income | |
|---|---|
| Funding fromFèisean nan Gàidheal Funding fromRenfrewshire Council Funding fromBord Na Gaidhlig Funding fromPostcode Trust Funding fromCreative Scotland Other grant funding Activities for Generating Funds Fèis Week income External events Ceilidh Trail |
Year ended 31 August 2025 Year ended 31 August 2024 £ £ 23,498 20,575 44,012 11,617 0 0 44,932 400 22,000 0 8,036 3,236 |
| 120,478 57,828 |
|
| Year ended 31 August 2025 Year ended 31 August 2024 £ £ 1,846 1,697 12,756 4,602 9,978 - |
|
| 24,580 6,299 |
Funding received
During the period, funding of £120,478 (2024 - £57,828) was received from a number of bodies in respect of operational costs, as detailed above. The funding is conditional on the Organisation incurring the expenditure outlined in the various funding applications submitted. The trustees are confident that these conditions have been met, such that none of the funds received should become repayable.
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Fèis Phàislig
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025
3 Resources Expended
Charitable Activities
| itable Activities | |
|---|---|
| Tutor costs Ceilidh trail expenditure Annualised hours payment External events Materials Venue hire Sundry expenditure Supplies Website Gifts Memberships Fèis week entertainment Marketing and advertising Repairs and maintenance Photography Instrument Hire Professional Fees Training Insurance Bank Charges Total |
Year ended 31 August 2025 Year ended 31 August 2024 £ £ 98,711 71,201 2,220 60 33,920 25,840 2,573 19,961 6,691 2,235 7,128 3,891 1,708 1,122 455 355 988 298 329 428 323 325 - - 2,338 2,855 152 271 8,542 1,540 1,288 - 181 1,040 2,000 835 2,350 107 - - |
| 170,127 134,134 |
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Fèis Phàislig
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025
4 Tangible Fixed Assets
| Cost At 1 September 2021 Additions At 31 August 2022 Additions At 31 August 2023 Additions At 31 August 2024 Additions Ast 31 August 2025 |
Music Equipment £ 5,665 - |
|---|---|
| 5,655 35 |
|
| 5,690 852 |
|
| 6,542 3,897 10,439 |
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Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025
5 SCIO Incorporation
On 17 May 2024, Fèis Phàislig completed the transition from an unincorporated association (charity number SC045342) to a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), registered as SC053367. All assets and liabilities of the former charity were transferred to the SCIO on that date, and the previous charity has since been formally wound up.
The figures in these financial statements have been prepared in line with OSCR’s merger accounting guidance for SCIO transitions. As such, the prior year figures reflect the financial activity of both the former charity and the new SCIO across the full financial year to 31 August 2024. No separate pre- and postincorporation comparatives have been prepared.
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