| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| for |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| (A Company Limited by Guarantee) |
| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| for |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| (A Company Limited by Guarantee) |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| Contents of the Financial Statements |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| Page |
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 | to | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 | to | 18 |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (Registered number: SC257745) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 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 December 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). |
| OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
| Objectives and aims |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (LMRT) was established in the late 1960s by local climbers to help fellow climbers in difficulty in the mountains of Lochaber and especially on Ben Nevis. |
| Significant activities |
| The team was originally, and is still today, staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers. We are out in all seasons and weather conditions to assist those in need. |
| We provide rescue services on behalf of Police Scotland with the majority of our activity taking place on Ben Nevis (which sees hundreds of thousands of visitors per year) and the surrounding mountains in the Lochaber area. |
| Our area extends West to the coast and includes the Small Isles and vast wilderness of Knoydart. To the North, we cover up to Fort Augustus. We work closely with Glencoe Mountain Rescue, our neighbours to the South where the Mamore hills form our boundary. To the East we cover out to Creag Meagaidh and Corrour. |
| To allow us to carry out this role, the team places a strong focus on teamwork and training. We train regularly throughout the year to have a strong, resilient team, ready to be deployed as required. |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (Registered number: SC257745) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE |
| Charitable activities |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team had a very busy 2025 with 160 callouts marking the 2nd busiest year in teams history after 2024. |
| These callouts were wide and varied in nature, from multi-day remote searches to technical rope rescues in all conditions. |
| Some long serving team members have stepped down. The 12 aspirant team members from November 2024 have generally turned out well and are sharing the load. 4 new trainee team members have started as of November. |
| Thanks to our retiring team members Emma Pearce, Jonathan Hart, Fi Young, Shaun Maclean and Brodie Hood for many years of service.As ever we have to give a special thanks to the families of the team members who have once again shown an incredible level of support. |
| We also have to thank our partner agencies, Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard Helicopters and the local Coastguard Rescue Teams. Of course we would also like to thank our neighbouring teams who are always willing to help when asked. |
| Training - The team brought in external instructors for low ratio (1:2) Winter training. This has proven to be a success. The intention is to use external instructors in 2026 as well. This should develop team members' skill sets, including winter, water rescue and 4x4 driving. |
| Purchase of a new (used) Isuzu D-Max Pick-up with the aim to bring all vehicles into ownership to reduce leasing costs |
| Fundraising - In 2025 the team started a focused fundraising campaign to pay for a new AWD communications vehicle/ambulance, which raised approximately £37k during this year and is still going. In addition to this the team is continuing to actively raise general funds. |
| The team now has associate members working towards raising funds for the charity. This is proving to be a huge help |
| FINANCIAL REVIEW |
| Financial position |
| At the year end the charity had total reserves of £1,053,324 (2024 - £971,009), of which £993,559 (2024 - £963,337) was unrestricted and £59,765 was restricted (2024 - £7,672). The charity had £369,794 (2024 - £291,540) of cash in the bank, of which £323,769 (2024 - £283,868) was unrestricted. |
| Reserves policy |
| The charity does not have a reserves policy. |
| 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. |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (Registered number: SC257745) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
| Recruitment and appointment of new trustees |
| New Trustees are drawn from those who have already volunteered as team members and gained sufficient experience. New Trustees are nominated and voted into position at a General Meeting and are offered support and assistance as required. |
| Organisational structure |
| The committee consists of 6 directors, the team leader, two deputies, secretary, treasurer and training officer as well as 9 ordinary members. |
| The committee meets regularly throughout the year to discuss the operation, management and planning for the future of the team. |
| Induction and training of new trustees |
| New trustees are drawn from those that have volunteered as team members for several years and therefore they are already familiar with many aspects of the charity. New trustees are directed towards the guidance at the OSCR website on duties and responsibilities of a trustee as well as being provided with a copy of the charity's constitution. |
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
| Registered Company number |
| Registered Charity number |
| Registered office |
| Trustees |
| Company Secretary |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (Registered number: SC257745) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
| Independent Examiner |
| David Ross CA |
| Mackay & Co CA |
| 120 George Street |
| Oban |
| Argyll |
| PA34 5NT |
| Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
| Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025 set out on pages six to eighteen. |
| 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) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity's trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) 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 the independent examiner's report |
| My examination was 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 seeking explanations from you as 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 accounts. |
| Independent examiner's statement |
| In connection with 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 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and |
| - | to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations |
| have not been met; or |
| (2) | to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. |
| David Ross CA |
| The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland |
| Mackay & Co CA |
| 120 George Street |
| Oban |
| Argyll |
| PA34 5NT |
| Date: ............................................. |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| Statement of Financial Activities |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total | Total |
| fund | funds | fund | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND | ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies | 2 | 124,863 | - |
| Charitable activities | 4 |
| 71,881 | - |
| Investment income | 3 | 4,735 | - |
| Other income | 2,000 | - |
| Total | 203,479 | - |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Raising funds | 468 | - |
| Charitable activities |
| 110,828 | 61,961 |
| Total | 111,296 | 61,961 |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
92,183 |
(61,961 |
) |
| Transfers between funds | 13 | (63,140 | ) | 63,140 | - | - | - |
| Net movement in funds | 29,043 | 1,179 |
| RECONCILIATION OF | FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward | 700,512 | 262,825 |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
729,555 |
264,004 |
971,009 |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (Registered number: SC257745) |
| Balance Sheet |
| 31 December 2025 |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total | Total |
| fund | funds | fund | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| FIXED ASSETS |
| Tangible assets | 8 | 653,651 | - |
| CURRENT ASSETS |
| Debtors | 9 | 48,141 | - |
| Cash at bank | 46,025 | 264,004 |
| 94,166 | 264,004 |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due within one year |
10 |
(4,805 |
) |
- |
( |
) |
( |
) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 89,361 | 264,004 |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
743,012 |
264,004 |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due after more than one year |
11 |
(13,457 |
) |
- |
( |
) |
| NET ASSETS | 729,555 | 264,004 |
| FUNDS | 13 |
| Unrestricted funds | 963,337 |
| Restricted funds | 7,672 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 971,009 |
| The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2025. |
| The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (Registered number: SC257745) |
| Balance Sheet - continued |
| 31 December 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 prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
| The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| Notes to the Financial Statements |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 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. |
| Going concern |
| There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue. |
| 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. |
| Income from donations or grants are recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably. |
| Legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established. |
| 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. |
| Raising funds |
| Expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non charitable trading activities and the sale of donated goods. |
| Charitable activities |
| Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by the charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities. |
| Tangible fixed assets |
| Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
| Tangible fixed assets |
| Freehold property | - |
| Plant and machinery | - |
| Fixtures and fittings | - |
| Motor vehicles | - |
| Computer equipment | - |
| 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. |
| Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
| 2. | DONATIONS AND LEGACIES |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Donations |
| Legacies |
| 3. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Bank interest | 4,735 | 948 |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 4. | INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| Activity | £ | £ |
| Grants | General activities | 68,828 | 32,807 |
| Hire of property | General activities | - | 2,000 |
| Product sales | General activities | 3,053 | - |
| Grants received, included in the above, are as follows: |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Scottish government | 21,480 | 25,897 |
| SSE | 6,592 | 500 |
| Police Scotland | 13,241 | 6,410 |
| Morrisons | 4,470 | - |
| Scottish Mountain Rescue | 12,793 | - |
| The Energy Savings Trust | 10,252 | - |
| 68,828 | 32,807 |
| 5. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Depreciation - owned assets |
| Surplus on disposal of fixed assets | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| 6. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
| There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the year ended 31 December 2024. |
| Trustees' expenses |
| There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the year ended 31 December 2024. |
| Two team members received travelling expenses of £194 for travelling to training courses in the year. |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 7. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total |
| fund | funds | fund | funds |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies | 160,422 | - |
| Charitable activities |
| 34,807 | - |
| Investment income | 948 | - |
| Other income | 833 | - |
| Total | 197,010 | - |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Charitable activities |
| 193,239 | - |
| NET INCOME | 3,771 | - |
| Transfers between funds | (262,825 | ) | 262,825 | - | - |
| Net movement in funds | (259,054 | ) | 262,825 |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward | 959,566 | - | - |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 700,512 | 262,825 | 7,672 | 971,009 |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 8. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
| Fixtures |
| Freehold | Plant and | and |
| property | machinery | fittings |
| £ | £ | £ |
| COST |
| At 1 January 2025 |
| Additions |
| At 31 December 2025 |
| DEPRECIATION |
| At 1 January 2025 |
| Charge for year |
| At 31 December 2025 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 31 December 2025 |
| At 31 December 2024 |
| Motor | Computer |
| vehicles | equipment | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ |
| COST |
| At 1 January 2025 |
| Additions |
| At 31 December 2025 |
| DEPRECIATION |
| At 1 January 2025 |
| Charge for year |
| At 31 December 2025 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 31 December 2025 |
| At 31 December 2024 |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 9. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Other debtors |
| VAT |
| Prepayments and accrued income |
| 10. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 12) |
| Trade creditors |
| Accrued expenses |
| 11. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Other loans (see note 12) | - |
| 12. | LOANS |
| An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below: |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Amounts falling due within one year on demand: |
| Bank loans |
| Amounts falling between one and two years: |
| Other loans - 1-2 years |
| Amounts falling due in more than five years: |
| Repayable by instalments: |
| Other loans more 5yrs instal | 7,685 | - |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
| Net | Transfers |
| movement | between | At |
| At 1.1.25 | in funds | funds | 31.12.25 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 700,512 | 92,183 | (63,140 | ) | 729,555 |
| Medical equipment | 4,800 | (3,760 | ) | 3,760 | 4,800 |
| Communications | 3,575 | (5,119 | ) | 6,298 | 4,754 |
| Equipment | 19,500 | (10,931 | ) | 10,931 | 19,500 |
| Training | 14,950 | (2,805 | ) | 2,805 | 14,950 |
| Vehicles | 90,000 | (31,431 | ) | 31,431 | 90,000 |
| Maintenance | 90,000 | (7,915 | ) | 7,915 | 90,000 |
| Financial stability and sustainability | 40,000 | - | - | 40,000 |
| 30,222 |
| Restricted funds |
| Restricted | 7,672 | 52,093 | - | 59,765 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 82,315 | 1,053,324 |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 203,479 | (111,296 | ) | 92,183 |
| Medical equipment | - | (3,760 | ) | (3,760 | ) |
| Communications | - | (5,119 | ) | (5,119 | ) |
| Equipment | - | (10,931 | ) | (10,931 | ) |
| Training | - | (2,805 | ) | (2,805 | ) |
| Vehicles | - | (31,431 | ) | (31,431 | ) |
| Maintenance | - | (7,915 | ) | (7,915 | ) |
| ( |
) | 30,222 |
| Restricted funds |
| Restricted | 52,093 | - | 52,093 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | 82,315 |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
| Comparatives for movement in funds |
| Net | Transfers |
| movement | between | At |
| At 1.1.24 | in funds | funds | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 959,566 | 3,771 | (262,825 | ) | 700,512 |
| Medical equipment | - | - | 4,800 | 4,800 |
| Communications | - | - | 3,575 | 3,575 |
| Equipment | - | - | 19,500 | 19,500 |
| Training | - | - | 14,950 | 14,950 |
| Vehicles | - | - | 90,000 | 90,000 |
| Maintenance | - | - | 90,000 | 90,000 |
| Financial stability and sustainability | - | - | 40,000 | 40,000 |
| 959,566 | 3,771 | - | 963,337 |
| Restricted funds |
| Restricted | - | 7,672 | - | 7,672 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 959,566 | 11,443 | - | 971,009 |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 197,010 | (193,239 | ) | 3,771 |
| Restricted funds |
| Restricted | 12,350 | (4,678 | ) | 7,672 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 209,360 | (197,917 | ) | 11,443 |
| Restricted funds |
| During the prior year a donation was received from Ian Pooleman to pay for climbing holds. The money was still to be spent at the year end. |
| During the prior year an anonymous donation of £12,000 was received towards the costs of communications. £7,322 of this donation was still to be spent at the year end. |
| During the current year donations of £52,093 were received towards the cost of a new vehicle. |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
| Designated funds |
| Medical Equipment |
| Funds have been designated for replacement and repair of a defibrillator, a vacuum mat, splints and other medical consumables. During the year £6,655 was spend on medical consumables as well as fixed assets. Further amounts have been set aside for medical equipment that will be needed in the near future. |
| Communications |
| Funds have been designated for a new PC, handheld radios and consumables associated with the radios. |
| Equipment |
| Funds have been designated for the cost of various items of equipment, ropes, transceivers, shovels/probes and tech gear. There was £10,930 paid out of designated funds on similar items in the year under review. |
| Training |
| Funds have been designated for the cost of bespoke winter training. |
| Vehicles |
| During the year, a vehicle was purchased for £35,840 and this was paid out of opening funds designated for the purpose. Additional funds have been set aside for vehicles that will be required in the next several years. |
| Maintenance |
| The Team are responsible for the upkeep of the building at Glen Nevis Business Park and have set aside funds to cover the ongoing costs of repair and maintenance. |
| Financial stability and sustainability |
| The charity has set aside funds to provide a financial cushion for unexpected costs in its operational running. |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 14. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |