The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 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) 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 charity's objects are to collect and record data relative to the history of Applecross, arrange public lectures to disseminate information about the local area and operate a heritage centre open to the public from April to October each year, to display information and artefacts.
The Society continued to be active over the year in question. The website continues to attract traffic with several queries on genealogy being dealt with each quarter. The Facebook page continues to be active, with inputs from Annabel and Alan.The Society participated in the Christmas Fair and raised money for our funds. We applied for grants to enable the work at Torgarve to continue under the Geugan badge described below and we issued a high quality newsletter to our members coordinated by Catriona. Alan continued the work on cataloging and accessions, and although we have a way to go, we have made good progress over the past two years. The Heritage Centre was open from April to October attracting visitors from all over the world. Our visitors book and comments white board are testament to the positive impression the Centre makes.
DIRECTORS
We had a full complement of Directors over the year. Annabel Macrae made the decision to step down at the end of this period, and we are very grateful for her contribution as a Director, and we are delighted that she will continue as a Volunteer. We met 4 times during the year, in spring to deal with Heritage Centre matters, and on other occasions to deal with broader business.
All Directors have been made aware of their responsibilities regarding Companies house Verification.
FUNDING
In common with many small attractions we have found visitor numbers are steady, certainly not increasing, and income flattening. We opted to keep our entry charge at £3, bearing in mind cost of living pressures, however this hasn't encouraged spending whilst in the Centre itself. In the year itself we prioritised spending to deal with improvements to fire safety and electrical upgrades. We have a significant issue with the large windows in the gable and are looking for external sources to help fund this work. Its incumbent on all Directors to make sure that we comply with the requirements of our lease and other external standards, and so this issue will reman on our on going agenda.
We concluded our 4 Museums Gaelic Development project lead by Anna MacQuarrie. This was a very useful and fruitful project and has given us several helpful improvements moving forward. The last elements were advice regarding our audio visual and audio options, and general advice re organisation of displays in the Centre.
We applied in partnership with the Community Company to Bord na Gaidhlig for Funding for the next phase of the Torgarve project under the label Geugan. This phase is about developing the final and firm proposals for interpretative options up at the site and also in the Heritage Centre, all of which to be done with community engagement. We successfully obtained £7,000 of funding from them ( part this year and part in 25-26), and a further £2,000 from the North Highland Initiative. The project commenced in May 2025, and several engagement events were held over the summer. A change in personnel in the Woodland Officer caused some brief disruption, but the project has continued at a pace. The project concludes in July 2026. We were delighted to continue our association with Anna MacQuarrie who has been the Consultant supporting the Project. We envisage a final phase of the project most likely led by the Community Company, will be needed and so this will remain one of our main activities into 2027.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of Bord na Gaidhlig and North Highland Initiative.
HERITAGE CENTRE LEASE
The 25 year lease of the Centre was agreed for renewal on the same basis in July 2025. New plans and paperwork have been prepared and will be concluded shortly. A new display, right at the entranceway celebrates the creation of the centre and has proved popular with visitors
ACCREDITATION
Directors keep this matter under review. It should be noted that the work outlined on cataloging and policy developmental moves us closer to eventually taking this on.
LOOKING AHEAD
The need to consider displays and layouts to comply with plans and required changes will mean that a longer term plan will need to be agreed in the next 18 months. Specifically the issue of accessing funds for more significant improvements is something that the Directors acknowledge.
THANKS
We are very appreciative of the work of all the Volunteers who help us run the Heritage Centre and in other ways. We simply cannot operate without them and we note the many appreciative comments in the visitors' book and on the comments board. We thank Anna MacQuarrie again for her enthusiasm which has been infectious around the Project. We also appreciate Sue Groocock's help in selling our merchandise. We were pleased to welcome a visit from Applecross Trust Trustees in the summer and we appreciate their interest and practical support.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charity, should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year and the balance of general funds at the year end is £31,082 (2024 - £32,238).
Designated funds represent the amount held in fixed assets of £13,217 (2024 - £16,866).
The balance of restricted funds at the year end is £2,945 (2024 - £40).
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Completing the improvements already embarked upon in terms of the research area and general displays remains important. The scheme relating to Torgarve and the Gaelic related local work are priorities in the year ahead. We need to bear in mind the situation with our lease, which is due for renewal in 2025, over which we have a right of renewal, the extension of which would consolidate our position for the future. Clearly Accreditation is also important. Rules have recently changed and we need to work out with MGS how best to take our interest forward.
The charity is controlled by its governing document, its memorandum and articles of association and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
New trustees are generally recruited by recommendation from existing trustees, based on the charity's needs and the relevant experience, knowledge and skills of the individuals. Procedures for induction and training involve attending meetings and working with existing specialist trustees (e.g. archivist) and other specialists used by the charity.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2025, which are set out on pages 5 to 15.
It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 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 the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
1. 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 Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Regulation 4 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, and
to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006
have not been met, or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Applecross Historical Society is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is Tom Na Creige, Culduie, Applecross, Ross-shire, IV54 8LX.
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) 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)", Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Companies Act 2006. 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 applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 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 financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees 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 trustees 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.
Grants received towards revenue expenditure are released to the profit and loss account in the period to which the income relates. Grants relating to capital expenditure are transferred to the relevant restricted fund and written off over the life of the asset.
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.
Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.
Amortisation 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:
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
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.
Purchase are not included in fixed assets if their cost is less than £100.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible 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).
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
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 average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The trustees are regarded as key management personnel and did not receive remuneration.
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
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.
The Museums Recovery Fund
This grant has been awarded to the charity to help secure the ongoing sustainability of the Applecross Historical Fund.
The Geugan Project
The North Highland Community infrastructure Support Programme and Bord Na Gaidhlig funded the project, Geugan (branches), to develop interpretation for Coille a' Thorra Ghairbh.
Transfer of funds
£2,471 was transferred from the general fund to the museum recovery fund, which represents expenditure incurred in the previous year which was incorrectly recorded as general rather than museum recovery expenditure.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
Fixed Asset Funds
The charity has opted to designate funds equivalent to the charity's investment in tangible assets. Movements in and out of this fund each year represent the movements in tangible assets.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).