THE BOTANIST FOUNDATION C.I.C.

Company limited by guarantee

Company Registration Number:
SC501767 (Scotland)

Unaudited statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

Period of accounts

Start date: 1 April 2024

End date: 31 March 2025

THE BOTANIST FOUNDATION C.I.C.

Contents of the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

Directors report
Profit and loss
Balance sheet
Additional notes
Community Interest Report

THE BOTANIST FOUNDATION C.I.C.

Directors' report period ended 31 March 2025

The directors present their report with the financial statements of the company for the period ended 31 March 2025

Principal activities of the company

The aim of The Botanist Foundation is to work with the people of Islay and beyond to further the understanding and conservation of the islands botanical diversity. It is to ensure that any harvest of Islay’s communities of wild plants is conducted in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner that ensures its conservation and underwrites its long term future for generations to come



Directors

The directors shown below have held office during the whole of the period from
1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

S.P Coughlin
D. A Taylor
J.E.Donaldson
D.J Webster
A.C. Logan
K Smith


The director shown below has held office during the period of
1 April 2024 to 12 September 2024

G.A Archibald


The above report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions in part 15 of the Companies Act 2006

This report was approved by the board of directors on
2 September 2025

And signed on behalf of the board by:
Name: D. A Taylor
Status: Director

THE BOTANIST FOUNDATION C.I.C.

Profit And Loss Account

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

2025 2024


£

£
Turnover: 34,000 29,056
Gross profit(or loss): 34,000 29,056
Administrative expenses: ( 38,480 ) ( 30,962 )
Operating profit(or loss): (4,480) (1,906)
Profit(or loss) before tax: (4,480) (1,906)
Profit(or loss) for the financial year: (4,480) (1,906)

THE BOTANIST FOUNDATION C.I.C.

Balance sheet

As at 31 March 2025

Notes 2025 2024


£

£
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand: 16,706 21,186
Total current assets: 16,706 21,186
Net current assets (liabilities): 16,706 21,186
Total assets less current liabilities: 16,706 21,186
Total net assets (liabilities): 16,706 21,186
Members' funds
Profit and loss account: 16,706 21,186
Total members' funds: 16,706 21,186

The notes form part of these financial statements

THE BOTANIST FOUNDATION C.I.C.

Balance sheet statements

For the year ending 31 March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

This report was approved by the board of directors on 2 September 2025
and signed on behalf of the board by:

Name: D. A Taylor
Status: Director

The notes form part of these financial statements

THE BOTANIST FOUNDATION C.I.C.

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

  • 1. Accounting policies

    Basis of measurement and preparation

    These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Section 1A (Small Entities) of Financial Reporting Standard 102

THE BOTANIST FOUNDATION C.I.C.

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

  • 2. Employees

    2025 2024
    Average number of employees during the period 0 0

COMMUNITY INTEREST ANNUAL REPORT

THE BOTANIST FOUNDATION C.I.C.

Company Number: SC501767 (Scotland)

Year Ending: 31 March 2025

Company activities and impact

We work to implement and offer support to conservation programs appropriate to the maintenance of sustainable populations of key plant species and pollinators through consultation with appropriately qualified external authorities on matters relating to conservation, biodiversity and sustainability. Our mission is to promote the conservation, biodiversity and sustainability of Islay’s plants and wildlife by means of grants, bursaries and memberships to the benefit of residents and visitors of the Isle of Islay. During the financial year 2024 - 2025 community has benefitted from our activities in the following ways: Education: Bursaries have been provided to three local students to support them in their university studies in zoology and veterinary science. Islay High School students have benefitted from our financial support of the Rural Skills initiative allowing the establishment of an outdoor classroom and a small apiary where children learn the basics of horticulture and beekeeping. Financial support of the Botanical University Challenge at Cambridge University hopes to inspire the next generation of botanists and environmental scientists. Surveying: Funding surveying of endangered species such as Marsh Fritillary butterflies and medicinal leeches is expanding the community’s knowledge and will lead to better informed conservation efforts. Partnerships: Our five-year funding agreement with Botanic Gardens Conservation International builds valuable relationships and supports conservation projects across the world, inspiring our local efforts and giving them a vital global context. Memberships: Memberships of conservation bodies including the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, The Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland, Islay Natural Heritage Trust and others help to keep abreast of the wider conservation landscape and learn best practice.

Consultation with stakeholders

The Foundation’s stakeholders are the residents and visitors to the island, local students, businesses and relevant conservation, environmental governmental organisations. Key consultations have included: Engagement with Islay High School about what would benefit their Rural Skills Initiative and help to inspire the school population more broadly - this led to direct funding to the school and influenced our decision to fund an inspiring overseas project. Extensive consultation with Argyll Coast & Countryside Trust and NatureScot regarding the eradication of non-native species – this led to the conclusion that this project was beyond our resources. Ongoing consultation with RSPB about nature friendly farming practices – we continue to influence all those who grow on behalf of Bruichladdich Distillery. Outreach to The Ileach newspaper to spread information about our various projects and to recruit volunteers for surveying projects and to poll local knowledge on invasive species, seagrass meadows and more. Discussion with the ICCI (Gaelic College) about how they could use their grounds for an improved resource for visitors and to supply zero food miles produce to the cafe – led to funding for tools and signage.

Directors' remuneration

No remuneration was received

Transfer of assets

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration

This report was approved by the board of directors on
2 September 2025

And signed on behalf of the board by:
Name: Douglas Taylor
Status: Director