The directors, who are trustees for the purpose of charity law, present their report and financial statements for the year ended 30 November 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), the Companies Act 2006 and "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)".
The principal activities of the charitable company are the advancement of religion, in particular, the promotion and nurture of Christian spirituality and wholeness through retreat activity and a programme of events which guests can book in for.
The strap line for the Bield’ mission is: Hospitality – Spirituality – Healing and all we do support these key themes.
Spiritual accompaniment and listening as well as support for creative activities in the well equipped art space are available from trained staff. Guests may join in with the daily rhythm of prayer and worship in the Chapel. The Bield is committed to Christian education through teaching and training in the fields of Christian spirituality, healing and listening.
Southton Smallholding as a Separate Charity (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) was awarded Charitable Status by OSCR on 13 November 2024 and the transfer of Governance from The Bield to Southton Smallholding was implemented on 1 December 2024
Bield activities were paused from mid-December throughout January / February 2025 when the Bield started welcoming guests again for retreats and for other gatherings. Despite the temporary cessation of activities, guest numbers rose by the end of the year to around 2,000 guests in total with roughly half being residential and half being day guests.
The Barn space was used for another successful Trellis Conference. Also for the Perthshire Open Studios Showcase Exhibition and a special Christmas Crafts exhibition. A good ceilidh was held in September to celebrate the ongoing life of the Bield.
The CEO, George Bosworth, left his post in April 25. Over the years he has contributed much to the development of the Bield and we wish him well.
Gwen McDonald took over as General Manager in April and has been able to pull the team together during a time of transition. She has also helped to resurrect our guest base, and develop new contacts within the wider community.
Full details are included within the Statement of Financial Activities but the charitable company's main source of income is donations and contributions from guests. The net surplus to the charity is £42,293 (2024 - deficit of £45,910) at the year end.
Reserves Policy
The directors have established a policy to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charitable company, at a level which equates to approximately three months' expenditure. Based on expenditure for 2024/25, the minimum unrestricted funds required are in the region of £78,000. The unrestricted reserves held at 30 November 2025, including designated funds, were not at this level but there is an ongoing commitment by the founders to cover any shortfall through a Charities Aid Foundation Trust Fund.
The Bield Christian Company Limited is a charity registered in Scotland under charity number SC027462, and regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). The charity is also a private company limited by guarantee under company number SC182073. The charity was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company, and is governed under its Articles of Association. All the directors are members of the charitable company, and in the event of liquidation each of the members are liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the liabilities of the charitable company.
On 13th December 2024 the Board led by Jayne Scott resigned and made room for a new Board which at the end of the accounting year consisted of six members covering the necessary Board roles and responsibilities needed.
The directors who served during the year were:
Reverend Jayne Elizabeth Scott (Chair Resigned 13 December 2024)
Iain Moffatt Johnston (Resigned 13 December 2024)
Reverend Canon Nerys Ann Brown (Resigned 13 December 2024)
John Angus MacLeod (Resigned 13 December 2024)
Marianne Anker-Petersen (Appointed 13 December 2024)
Reverend Robin Anker-Petersen (Chair Appointed 13 December 2024)
Lorna Brown (Appointed 22 May 2025)
Dr Keith Tanner (Appointed 6 February 2025)
Reverend Dr Michael Paterson (Appointed 5 February 2025)(Resigned 9 December 2025)
Roselene Borland (Appointed 13 December 2024)(Resigned 12 December 2025)
Secretary Mr George Bosworth (Resigned 17 December 2024)
Mrs Heather McPherson (Appointed 1 February 2025)
Marianne Anker-Petersen (Appointed 17 December 2024)
(Resigned 27 July 2025)
Charity Number SC027462
Company Number SC182073
Principal address and Registered Office
Blackruthven House
Tibbermore
Perth
PH1 1PY
Independent Examiner
Fiona Haro CA
Thomson Cooper Accountants
3 Castle Court
Carnegie Campus
Dunfermline
Fife
KY11 8PB
Bankers
Royal Bank of Scotland
12 Dunkeld Road
Perth
PH1 0PA
Solicitors
Hill & Robb
3 Pitt Terrace
Stirling
FK8 2EY
In the event of a director retiring or when the need is seen for extra input suitable replacements are sought. Their suitability and skills are carefully considered, ensuring new members complement the skills of the existing directors. New directors are given background papers including the main documents, which set out the framework of the charitable company.
None of the directors have any beneficial interest in the charitable company.
There are four quarterly board of directors' meetings. Individual directors may attend up to two meetings annually by Zoom. The charitable company has waived the requirement for an Annual General Meeting. The Bield at the end of the accounting period had 3 full-time and five part-time employees covering management, pastoral and housekeeping responsibilities.
The directors have assessed the major risks to which the charitable company is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to those risks.
The directors, who also act as trustees for the charitable activities of The Bield Christian Company Limited, are responsible for preparing the Directors' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The directors' report was approved by the Board of Directors.
I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 November 2025, which are set out on pages 5 to 18.
The charity’s directors, who also act as trustees for the charitable activities of The Bield Christian Company Limited, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investments (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The directors consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
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 financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking 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 view given by the financial statements.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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 financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations;
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Investments
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Investments
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The Bield Christian Company Limited is a charitable company, registered in Scotland, and limited by guarantee. The charity is governed by the directors, who are trustees for the purpose of charity law, under its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The registered office is Blackruthven House, Tibbermore, Perth, PH1 1PY.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association , the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The charity recorded a surplus of £42,293 (2024: loss £45,910) during the year. At 30 November 2025 the charity had a balance sheet surplus of £28,315 (2024: deficit £13,978).
The directors acknowledge that the charity’s liquidity position is reliant on the support of the founders and without this a material uncertainly would exist which may cast doubt over the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
After due consideration of the above, the directors are satisfied that the charity has access to adequate resources to continue in operational existence for period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. The directors therefore continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the directors in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
All expenditure is included on an accruals basis and includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and is compliance with regulation and good practice.
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
The trustees have set a capitalisation policy of £1,000 for the charity.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Guest Contributions
Business Support Grant
Barn Gallery activity
Sales
Fundraising
Room Hire for aromatherapy
Investments
Interest on cash deposits
Blackruthven Estate Recharge
Total
Total
Art Room
Food and Provisions
Horticultural
Livestock
Fundraising
Health and Safety
Equipment
Furnishings
Cleaning
Staff Training and Expenses
Bank Fees and Miscellaneous Costs
Office expenses
Direct
Telephone
Direct
Utility Recharge
Direct
Accountancy fees
Office expenses
Direct
Telephone
Direct
Utility Recharge
Direct
Accountancy fees
The charity initially identifies the costs of its support functions. It then identifies those costs which relate to the governance function. Refer to the table for the basis of apportionment and the analysis of support and governance costs.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The key management personnel of The Bield Christian Company Limited comprises of George Bosworth, up to April 2025) and Gwen McDonald. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity was £107,771 (2024 - £116,717).
During the year Southton Smallholding created their own charity and the funds held within The Bield Christian Company Limited were transferred to Southton Smallholding.
As a charity, The Bield Christian Company Limited is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 256 of the taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
Southton Smallholding
This fund extends to the healing work of The Bield by providing therapeutic work for a group of adults with learning difficulties. It seeks to create a more inclusive community and aims to build up the self confidence of people who normally endure long term unemployment and who may feel undervalued. A number of other vulnerable adults work at the Smallholding as volunteers.
NHS Wellness Days
This fund is used to provide Wellness Days for people to come and enjoy.
At 30 November 2025, total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
At the reporting end date the charity had contracted with tenants for the following minimum lease payments:
One director received £250 in respect of consultancy work provided during the year (2024 - £nil).
Three directors were reimbursed for expenses incurred during the year for £559 (2024 - £734).
The charitable company has received £29,060 (2024 - £55,122) in relation to the Blackruthven Estate Recharge.
The charitable company is controlled by the directors.