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REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: SC097207 (Scotland)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: SCO11160














REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025

FOR


FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025












Page




Report of the Trustees  

1




Report of the Independent Auditors  

6




Statement of Financial Activities  

10




Balance Sheet  

11




Cash Flow Statement  

13




Notes to the Cash Flow Statement  

14




Notes to the Financial Statements  

15



FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE) (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC097207)



REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025




The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).



FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE) (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC097207)



REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

Operate the Observatory as a profitable business
FIBOT will run the Observatory as a profitable, financially-viable business by accommodating birdwatchers, researchers and other guests to a current target of ca3000 bed-nights per April-October season. This will be achieved in a way that takes into consideration the objectives of FIBOT's other stakeholders and funders, such as the Fair Isle community, the National Trust for Scotland, Shetland Islands Council, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and the Scottish Government. When possible, FIBOT will seek grants and donations to support its scientific and other work.

Provide enjoyable holidays at an attractive price
The Observatory will provide an enjoyable and comfortable place to stay at an attractive price for serious birdwatchers, non-serious birdwatchers, researchers and also non-birdwatching visitors who, for example, want to enjoy the island scenery and its special way of life.

Encourage an interest in birds, other wildlife and outdoor activities
FIBOT will encourage as many people as possible to take an interest in birds, other wildlife and outdoor activities such as walking and photography.

Maintain close harmonious links with the islanders
FIBOT shall co-exist harmoniously with the island community by ensuring its guests behave appropriately, by FIBOT's participation in community activities, by making the Observatory available for island social events and through co-operation with the Fair Isle Community Association. FIBOT will support the Fair Isle economy wherever possible, helping to justify the operation of flight and ferry services, maintaining a successful shop/post office and promoting island products to visitors.

Scientific research
FIBOT shall help advance scientific knowledge of bird migration, sea-bird populations, cetaceans and other topics by collecting data and providing discounted accommodation and facilities for researchers at the observatory. Where appropriate, FIBOT will directly fund specific ornithological studies, including analyses exploiting the FIBOT database of daily bird sightings. FIBOT will encourage and participate in ornithological studies involving other observatories across the world.

Encourage young ornithologists
FIBOT will provide funding and discounted accommodation to encourage young ornithologists to stay at the observatory in order to develop their knowledge and experience of ornithology.

Environmental and habitat protection
FIBOT will enhance the environment of Fair Isle by appropriate planting of vegetation and crops to provide food and shelter for migrating birds including maintaining wetland areas. FIBOT shall also actively support the work of the Fair Isle Marine Environment & Tourism Initiative (FIMETI).

The Statement of Financial Activities for the year is set out on page 7. The principal activity of the company continues to be the provision and operation of a Bird Observatory on Fair Isle to undertake ornithological research and provide leisure opportunities with particular reference to the study of breeding and migrating birds at the Fair Isle.


FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE) (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC097207)



REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



STRATEGIC REPORT

Achievements and performance

Internal and external factors

At the start of the financial year, the new Observatory building was close to completion and recruitment for the hospitality team was already underway. The inaugural season proved highly successful, with more than 2,100 occupied bed nights generating the first guesthouse income since 2018. Other income came from ornithological and ranger contracts.  A Head of Ornithology and a Hospitality Manager took up their posts in mid January, followed by a phased arrival of seasonal staff between April and June. The process of re-establishing the building continued over several months. Setbacks due to snagging and further weather-related delays cost FIBOT a considerable sum and significant defects in the render became apparent that would require further investigation. Harbour project workers were accommodated from April 2025 and the first tourists arrived in mid May.


After many years of service to FIBOT including the six challenging years of the rebuild the charity’s Finance Director and its Chair stepped down in May and October 2025 respectively. Karen Hall stepped up as Acting Chair.


FIBOT has two subsidiary charities: the Fair Isle Endowment Trust (1986) and the John Harrison Memorial Fund Trust.  As part of the transition from FIBOT (the company) to FIBOT (the SCIO), both subsidiaries will be wound up with the necessary funds ring  fenced during the conversion process.


STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.


REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

SC097207 (Scotland)


Registered Charity number

SCO11160


Registered office

C/O Anderson Strathern LLP

58 Morrison Street

Edinburgh

EH3 8BP



FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE) (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC097207)



REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



Trustees

P M Ellis (resigned 8/6/2025)

Dr J M Reid (resigned 7/3/2026)

R M Wood (Finance Director) (resigned 8/5/2025)

A Bennett (resigned 5/11/2025)

D Barr (Chair) (resigned 14/10/2025)

M R Bolton (resigned 14/10/2025)

I Cowgill

I J Andrews

K Hall (Acting-Chair)

P V Harvey

G Tyler

H R Shaw

I Broadbent


Company Secretary

AS Company Services Limited


Auditors

Momentum Taxation & Accountancy Ltd

Harelands Courtyard Offices

Moor Road

Melsonby

RICHMOND

North Yorkshire

DL10 5NY


Bankers

Bank Of Scotland

38 St Andrew Square

Edinburgh

EH2 2YS


STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also the directors of Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust (The) for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).



FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE) (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC097207)



REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES - continued

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).

Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees 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;
-prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

-there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and
-the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.

AUDITORS

The auditors,  Momentum Taxation & Accountancy Ltd , will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.


Report of the trustees, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on 31 July 2026 and signed on the board's behalf by:






I Broadbent - Trustee


REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF

FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust (The) (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 October 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:
-give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 October 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
-have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
-have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report.  We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.  We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.


Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.


Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.


Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.


REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF

FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.


Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.


In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.  We have nothing to report in this regard.


Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

-

the information given in the Report of the Trustees is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or

-

the charitable company has not kept adequate accounting records; or

-

the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

-

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.


Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.


In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.


REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF

FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditors under Section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.


Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion.  Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.


The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:


As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, including how fraud may occur by enquiring of management of its own consideration of fraud. In particular, we looked at where management made subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain.  We also considered potential financial or other pressures, opportunity and motivations for fraud.  As part of this discussion we identified the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations and how management monitor these processes. Appropriate procedures included the review and testing of manual journals and key estimates and judgements made by management.Our tests included agreeing the financial statements disclosures to underlying supporting documentation and enquiries with management. We did not identify any key audit matters relating to irregularities, including fraud. We also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls including testing journals and evaluation whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud. Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements,recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery,misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the more remote that the non-compliances (eg with laws and regulations) are from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.


A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.


REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF

FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.





for and on behalf of Momentum Taxation & Accountancy Ltd

Eligible to act as an auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

Harelands Courtyard Offices

Moor Road

Melsonby

RICHMOND

North Yorkshire

DL10 5NY


31 July 2026



FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

(INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



2025


2024


Unrestricted


Restricted


Total


Total


fund


fund


funds


funds


Notes

£   

£   

£   

£   


INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

2,145,062


-


2,145,062


1,039,390



Other trading activities

3

349,858


-


349,858


-


Other income

-


-


-


75,000


Total

2,494,920


-


2,494,920


1,114,390



EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

4

200,634


-


200,634


45,968




Other

420,312


-


420,312


105,229


Total

620,946


-


620,946


151,197



NET INCOME

1,873,974


-


1,873,974


963,193




RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

7,502,855


-


7,502,855


6,539,662



TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

9,376,829


-


9,376,829


7,502,855



FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE) (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC097207)



BALANCE SHEET

31 OCTOBER 2025



2025


2024


Unrestricted


Restricted


Total


Total


fund


fund


funds


funds


Notes

£   

£   

£   

£   


FIXED ASSETS


Tangible assets

9

9,885,710


-


9,885,710


8,509,768



CURRENT ASSETS


Stocks

10

735


-


735


-


Debtors

11

35,400


-


35,400


233,052


Accrued income

-


-


-


13,174


Cash at bank and in hand

93,392


-


93,392


89,563


129,527


-


129,527


335,789



CREDITORS


Amounts falling due within one year

12

(208,408

)

-


(208,408

)

(834,369

)


NET CURRENT ASSETS

(78,881

)

-


(78,881

)

(498,580

)


TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

9,806,829


-


9,806,829


8,011,188



CREDITORS


Amounts falling due after more than one

year


13

(430,000

)

-


(430,000

)

(508,333

)


NET ASSETS

9,376,829


-


9,376,829


7,502,855


FUNDS

15

Unrestricted funds

9,376,829


7,502,855


TOTAL FUNDS

9,376,829


7,502,855



The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 October 2025.



The members have not deposited notice, pursuant to Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 requiring an audit of these financial statements.




FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE) (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC097207)



BALANCE SHEET - continued

31 OCTOBER 2025


The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
(a)ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
(b)preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been audited under the requirements of Section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.



The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 31 July 2026  and were signed on its behalf by:






I Broadbent - Trustee



FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



CASH FLOW STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



2025


2024


Notes

£   

£   



Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

1

1,600,822


1,439,621



Interest paid

(345

)

(910

)


Net cash provided by operating activities

1,600,477


1,438,711




Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of tangible fixed assets

(1,586,649

)

(1,902,661

)


Net cash used in investing activities

(1,586,649

)

(1,902,661

)



Cash flows from financing activities

Loan repayments in year

(9,999

)

(9,687

)


Net cash used in financing activities

(9,999

)

(9,687

)



Change in cash and cash equivalents in

the reporting period

3,829


(473,637

)


Cash and cash equivalents at the

beginning of the reporting period

89,563


563,200



Cash and cash equivalents at the end

of the reporting period

93,392


89,563





FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



1.

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES


2025


2024

£   

£   



Net income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of

Financial Activities)

1,873,974


963,193




Adjustments for:


Depreciation charges

210,705


1,788




Loss on disposal of fixed assets

-


412




Interest paid

345


910




Increase in stocks

(735

)

-




Decrease in debtors

210,825


26,229




(Decrease)/increase in creditors

(694,292

)

447,089




Net cash provided by operations

1,600,822


1,439,621





2.

ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET DEBT



At 1/11/24

Cash flow

At 31/10/25

£   

£   

£   



Net cash



Cash at bank and in hand

89,563


3,829


93,392



89,563


3,829


93,392





Debt


Debts falling due within 1 year

(10,000

)

(68,334

)

(78,334

)



Debts falling due after 1 year

(508,333

)

78,333


(430,000

)


(518,333

)

9,999


(508,334

)



Total

(428,770

)

13,828


(414,942

)




FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



1.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES



Basis of preparing the financial statements


The financial statements of the charitable company, 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 Companies Act 2006. 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.


No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP.



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.



Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.


Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.


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.

Although the charity has received funding in the form of grants specifically for the rebuilding of the Observatory and the employment of staff, these have not been accounted for as restricted funds as the monies are received in arrears and only after the charity has paid for the associated costs in full.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.


FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



2.

DONATIONS AND LEGACIES


2025


2024

£   

£   



Donations

699,753


16,105




Grants

1,434,233


1,014,514




Subscriptions

11,076


8,771



2,145,062


1,039,390





Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:



2025


2024

£   

£   



Shetlands Island Council

100,522


7,242




Highlands & Islands Enterprise

1,316,505


336,078




Ornithology income

-


13,174




National Trust Scotland

-


4,420




Nature Scot Ranger

6,600


3,600




Energy Saving (CARES)

-


100,000




Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

-


550,000




Other grants

10,606


-



1,434,233


1,014,514




3.

OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES


2025


2024

£   

£   



Shop income

2,275


-




Ornithology Income

24,566


-




Hostel income

308,170


-




Bar income

14,847


-



349,858


-






FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



4.

RAISING FUNDS



Other trading activities


2025


2024

£   

£   



Purchases

71,276


11,124




Staff costs

129,358


34,844



200,634


45,968




5.

SUPPORT COSTS


Governance



Management


Finance


costs


Totals

£   

£   

£   

£   



Other resources expended

390,022


5,814


24,476


420,312




6.

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)



Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):




2025


2024

£   

£   



Auditors' remuneration

7,875


6,807




Depreciation - owned assets

210,707


1,788




Deficit on disposal of fixed assets

-


412




7.

TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS


There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 October 2025 nor for the year ended 31 October 2024.



FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



7.

TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS - continued



Trustees' expenses



Two trustees had expenses reimbursed by the charity. These totalled £5,814 for the year ended 31 October 2025 (2024 -£4,567).


The costs included travel and subsistence, IT costs, postage and stationery and use of home as office.


8.

STAFF COSTS


2025


2024

£   

£   



Wages and salaries

129,358


34,844



129,358


34,844





The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:



2025


2024


Observatory staff

6


2





No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.


9.

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS


Fixtures


Freehold


Plant and


and


property


machinery


fittings

£   

£   

£   



COST


At 1 November 2024

8,502,233


5,647


-




Additions

1,507,558


7,677


68,274




At 31 October 2025

10,009,791


13,324


68,274




DEPRECIATION


At 1 November 2024

-


2,902


-




Charge for year

200,196


1,563


6,828




At 31 October 2025

200,196


4,465


6,828




NET BOOK VALUE


At 31 October 2025

9,809,595


8,859


61,446




At 31 October 2024

8,502,233


2,745


-





FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



9.

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS - continued


Motor


Computer



vehicles


equipment


Totals

£   

£   

£   



COST


At 1 November 2024

12,526


-


8,520,406




Additions

1,500


1,640


1,586,649




At 31 October 2025

14,026


1,640


10,107,055




DEPRECIATION


At 1 November 2024

7,736


-


10,638




Charge for year

1,573


547


210,707




At 31 October 2025

9,309


547


221,345




NET BOOK VALUE


At 31 October 2025

4,717


1,093


9,885,710




At 31 October 2024

4,790


-


8,509,768




10.

STOCKS

2025

2024


£   

£   



Stock on hand

735


-




11.

DEBTORS

2025

2024


£   

£   



Amounts falling due within one year:



Trade debtors

24,963


-




Other debtors

6,064


-




VAT

-


136,742




Prepayments

4,373


65,675



35,400


202,417





FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



11.

DEBTORS - continued

2025

2024


£   

£   



Amounts falling due after more than one year:



Other debtors

-


30,635





Aggregate amounts

35,400


233,052




12.

CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024


£   

£   



Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 14)

8,334


10,000




Other loans (see note 14)

70,000


-




Trade creditors

6,641


246,296




Social security and other taxes

3,954


416




VAT

48,676


-




Other creditors

-


547,445




Pension creditor

667


146




Deferred income

38,304


-




Accrued expenses

31,832


30,066



208,408


834,369




13.

CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR

2025

2024


£   

£   



Bank loans (see note 14)

-


8,333




Other loans (see note 14)

430,000


500,000



430,000


508,333






FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



14.

LOANS



An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:


2025

2024


£   

£   



Amounts falling due within one year on demand:


Bank loans

8,334


10,000




Other loans

70,000


-



78,334


10,000




Amounts falling between one and two years:


Other loans - 1-2 years

115,000


-




Amounts falling due between two and five years:


Bank loans - 2-5 years

-


8,333




Other loans - 2-5 years

315,000


500,000



315,000


508,333





The £500,000 loan from the Shetland Charitable Trust is interest free and repayable by annual instalments over 5 years.


15.

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS


Net




At


movement


At



1/11/24


in funds


31/10/25


£   

£   

£   



Unrestricted funds


General fund

7,502,855


1,873,974


9,376,829





TOTAL FUNDS

7,502,855


1,873,974


9,376,829





FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



15.

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued



Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:



Incoming


Resources


Movement



resources


expended


in funds


£   

£   

£   



Unrestricted funds


General fund

2,494,920


(620,946

)

1,873,974





TOTAL FUNDS

2,494,920


(620,946

)

1,873,974






Comparatives for movement in funds



Net




At


movement


At



1/11/23


in funds


31/10/24


£   

£   

£   



Unrestricted funds


General fund

6,539,662


963,193


7,502,855





TOTAL FUNDS

6,539,662


963,193


7,502,855





Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:



Incoming


Resources


Movement



resources


expended


in funds


£   

£   

£   



Unrestricted funds


General fund

1,114,390


(151,197

)

963,193





TOTAL FUNDS

1,114,390


(151,197

)

963,193





FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



15.

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued



A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:



Net




At


movement


At



1/11/23


in funds


31/10/25


£   

£   

£   



Unrestricted funds


General fund

6,539,662


2,837,167


9,376,829





TOTAL FUNDS

6,539,662


2,837,167


9,376,829





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

3,609,310


(772,143

)

2,837,167





TOTAL FUNDS

3,609,310


(772,143

)

2,837,167




16.

RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES


The Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust has two connected charities.

The Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust John Harrison Memorial Fund SC018242 and Fair Isle Endowment Trust 1986 SC004294.

During the year a donation of £672,069 was made by the Fair Isle Endowment Trust 1986 to the charity. This amount cleared the outstanding loan.



FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST (THE)



NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025



17.

ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY


The company is under the control of the Trustees.