| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| for |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| for |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Contents of the Financial Statements |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| Page |
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 5 |
| Report of the Independent Auditors | 6 | to | 9 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 10 |
| Balance Sheet | 11 | to | 12 |
| Cash Flow Statement | 13 |
| Notes to the Cash Flow Statement | 14 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 15 | to | 25 |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC347176) |
| 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 |
| The charity has been formed to benefit the crofting community of West Harris defined as those persons resident in the crofting townships of Borve (Harris), Horgabost & Seilebost, Luskentyre and Scaristavore or being tenants of crofts in any of the aforementioned crofting townships. |
| The main objectives of the charity are:- |
| - to advance rural regeneration of the crofting community of West Harris; |
| - to manage community land and associated assets for the benefit of the crofting community of West Harris and the public in general following principles of sustainable development, where sustainable development means development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs; |
| - to advance the education of the crofting community of West Harris about its environment, culture, heritage and/or history; |
| - to advance environmental protection or improvement including preservation, and conservation of the natural environment, the promotion of sustainable development, the maintenance, improvement or provision of environmental amenities for the crofting community of West Harris and/or the preservation of buildings or sites of architectural, historic or other importance to the crofting community. |
| Significant activities |
| The significant activities during the year under review were: |
| - Bail' Ùr Project - Ongoing collaboration with partners to identify and review potential sites for developing more housing options in West Harris, including regular meetings and update reports |
| - Staffing - restructuring and recruitment across all departments, training and apprenticeship in place. |
| - Community Cafe - refining approaches to in-house hospitality at Talla na Mara |
| - Health & Safety - implemented a full H&S review and training programme |
| Volunteers |
| The contribution of volunteers (including directors, members and individuals from the community) has been, and continues to be, of immense benefit to the charity. |
| STRATEGIC REPORT |
| Achievements and performance |
| Charitable activities |
| During the year, the charity:- |
| - Continued to administer, manage and maintain the West Harris estates; |
| - Continued to manage Talla na Mara including running the Cafe, Gallery and Gift Shop and campsite; |
| - Hosted business meetings, weddings, community lunches and musical events at Talla na Mara; |
| - Continued with the Bail Ùr Project to try and find suitable house sites. |
| - Continued to provide accessibility improvements adding a junior beach access wheelchair to existing adult chair. |
| - Continued to engage with supervisors in supporting a student undertaking a Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDA) on West Harris' history, culture and heritage. |
| Internal and external factors |
| The charity is partially dependent upon the continuing support of public funding agencies to assist in the ongoing delivery of the aims and objectives of the organisation. |
| Financial review |
| Principal funding sources |
| The charity is dependent on grants, rental and estate income and fundraising to fund its operational costs. Apart from rental and estate income and fundraising, the principal funding sources for the charity during the year were grants administered by the Scottish Government's Investing in Communities Fund, the Outer Hebrides Community Led Local Development Fund and the Shared Prosperity Fund. |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC347176) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| STRATEGIC REPORT |
| Financial review |
| Investment policy and objectives |
| The charity's reserves are maintained in bank accounts as the current level of reserves are required to meet the trust's short term operational requirements. |
| Reserves policy |
| The general fund represents the unrestricted funds from past operating results. It also represents the free reserves of the charity. The trustees consider that the level of the free reserves in unrestricted funds at 31 December 2025, which equates to approximately six months operating expenditure, is sufficient to meet the charity's operational requirements given the ongoing assistance being received from public funding agencies. |
| During the year the charity's income exceeded expenditure resulting in net expenditure of £101,489 for the period (2024 - £110,791 net expenditure). This results in a decrease of £41,746 in unrestricted funds and a decrease of £59,743 in restricted funds. Unrestricted reserves carried forward to next year have decreased to £171,013. |
| The expenditure in restricted funds relates mainly to depreciation in connection with the Community Enterprise Centre project. |
| Future plans |
| The charity's plans for the forthcoming year include:- |
| - the ongoing management and development of the West Harris estates; |
| - the ongoing management and development of Talla na Mara as a community space to run the Cafe, Gallery and Gift Shop and campsite; |
| - work with agencies to develop further affordable housing in the area; |
| - continuing to work with UHI to help the PhD student in featuring West Harris. |
| - taking forward the energy efficiency plans put on hold in 2025. |
| STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
| Governing document |
| The Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 15 August 2008 and registered as a charity with effect from 24 November 2010. The company 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. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. |
| Recruitment and appointment of new trustees |
| The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law. |
| Under the terms of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the Elected Directors are appointed by the ordinary members at the Annual General Meeting. One third of the Elected Directors must retire by rotation at each Annual General Meeting. |
| The Nominated Members of the charity are also entitled to appoint Nominated Directors to represent them on the board. |
| Organisational structure |
| The board consists of voluntary directors who manage the affairs of the charity through regular board meetings. The charity's management team who assist in the implementation of decisions from the board. |
| Induction and training of new trustees |
| The charity undertakes training for trustees to ensure awareness and understanding of:- |
| - the responsibilities of directors; |
| - the organisational structure of the charity; |
| - the financial position of the charity; and |
| - the future plans and objectives of the charity. |
| Wider network |
| The charity has established links with other organisations and agencies to foster the aims and objectives of the organisation, including membership of Community Land Scotland and Development Trusts Association Scotland |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC347176) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
| Related parties |
| Pairc Niseaboist Power Limited was established in June 2016 to supply electricity to local houses. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the charity. |
| Talla na Mara Restaurant Limited was established in February 2023 to run the Talla na Mara Restaurant. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the charity. |
| Full details of the charity's subsidiaries are included in the notes to the financial statements. |
| Risk management |
| The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. |
| The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those relating to the operations and finances of the charity, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate their exposure to the major risks. |
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
| Registered Company number |
| Registered Charity number |
| Registered office |
| Trustees |
| Company Secretary |
| Senior Statutory Auditor |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC347176) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
| Auditors |
| Chartered Accountants |
| & Statutory Auditors |
| 26 Lewis Street |
| Stornoway |
| Isle of Lewis |
| HS1 2JF |
| Solicitors |
| Anderson Macarthur |
| Old Bank of Scotland Buildings |
| Stornoway |
| Isle of Lewis |
| HS1 2BG |
| STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES |
| The trustees (who are also the directors of The West Harris Trust 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) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland". |
| 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; |
| - | state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; |
| - | 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, Mann Judd Gordon Ltd, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC347176) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| Report of the trustees, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on |
| Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees and Members of |
| The West Harris Trust |
| Opinion |
| We have audited the financial statements of The West Harris Trust (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 December 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), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. |
| In our opinion the financial statements: |
| - | give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 December 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, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'; 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. |
| 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. |
| Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 |
| In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: |
| - | the information given in the Report of the Trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and |
| - | the Report of the Trustees has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. |
| Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees and Members of |
| The West Harris Trust |
| Matters on which we are required to report by exception |
| In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Trustees. |
| We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: |
| - | adequate and proper accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or |
| - | the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or |
| - | certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; 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 and Members of |
| The West Harris Trust |
| Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements |
| 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: |
| Our approach was as follows: |
| We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the entity and determined that the most significant are those that relate to employment matters and those relating directly the preparation of the financial statements, that is FRS102, Charities SORP and the Companies Act 2006.The charity is also subject to data protection laws (GDPR). |
| We assessed the risks of material misstatement in respect of fraud as follows: |
| As part of our audit team discussion, we identified if any particular area was more susceptible to misstatement. A list of the known related parties was compiled along with an expectation of transactions between them. We then made fraud enquires of those charged with governance and confirmed our related party list. |
| Based on the results of our risk assessment we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations identified above. We corroborated our enquiries of those charged with governance by a review of the board minutes to date, a review of the bank statements to date, a review of the service organisation's payroll files for the year and a review of legal fees charged in the year for any evidence of legal or regulatory issues. Our considerations at planning were corroborated and no further legal or regulatory issues were noted. |
| We considered the risk of fraud through management override and, in response, we incorporated testing of manual journal entries throughout the year into our audit approach . A review of the year of bank statements was undertaken, to identify any large or unusual transactions. No transactions outside the normal course of business were identified. |
| Given the size of the entity, segregation of duties is limited, so we designed our audit procedures to identify and to address any material misstatements arising from this. Appropriate approval controls were found to be in place. |
| As the parent charitable company of Pairc Niseaboist Power Ltd and Talla na Mara Restaurant Limited, we have considered any instance of non-compliance by the subsidiary companies and subsequent effect on the group. We are auditors for all entities within the group. |
| The engagement partner's assessment of whether the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognise non-compliance with laws and regulations concluded that the overall risk was of fraud and misstatement was low and the experience of the audit team assigned was sufficient and no specialists were required. An appropriate level of materiality has been calculated in consideration of the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities along with the perceived level of risk. |
| There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above that result in an unavoidable risk that some material misstatements in the financial statements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK). The further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and financial transactions in the financial statements, the less likely the auditor is to become aware of it or recognise non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment through forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation. The primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both those charged with governance of the entity and management. |
| 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 and Members of |
| The West Harris Trust |
| Use of our report |
| This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006, and 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 members and the 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 members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. |
| for and on behalf of |
| Chartered Accountants |
| & Statutory Auditors |
| Eligible to act as an auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006 |
| Stornoway |
| Isle of Lewis |
| HS1 2JF |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Statement of Financial Activities |
| (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| funds | funds | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies | 2 |
| Charitable activities | 5 |
| Other trading activities | 3 |
| Investment income | 4 |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Charitable activities | 6 |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| Transfers between funds | 19 | (5,343 | ) | 5,343 | - | - |
| Net movement in funds | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 2,133,439 |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC347176) |
| Balance Sheet |
| 31 December 2025 |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| funds | funds | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| FIXED ASSETS |
| Tangible assets | 13 |
| Investments | 14 |
| CURRENT ASSETS |
| Stocks | 15 |
| Debtors: amounts falling due within one year | 16 |
| Debtors: amounts falling due after more than one year |
16 |
| Cash at bank and in hand |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due within one year | 17 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
| NET ASSETS |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC347176) |
| Balance Sheet - continued |
| 31 December 2025 |
| FUNDS | 19 |
| Unrestricted funds: |
| General fund | 161,350 | 199,930 |
| Talla Na Mara | 9,663 | 12,829 |
| 212,759 |
| Restricted funds: |
| Capital fund | 1,701,937 | 1,811,680 |
| Estate Purchase fund | 59,000 | 59,000 |
| Building Reserve Fund | 50,000 | 50,000 |
| Housing Development | 50,000 | - |
| 1,920,680 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 2,133,439 |
| The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Cash Flow Statement |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| Notes | £ | £ |
| Cash flows from operating activities |
| Cash generated from operations | 1 | 42,173 | (25,727 | ) |
| Interest paid | (558 | ) | - |
| Finance costs paid | (3,140 | ) | (2,341 | ) |
| Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities | 38,475 | (28,068 | ) |
| Cash flows from investing activities |
| Purchase of tangible fixed assets | (2,420 | ) | (1,123 | ) |
| Interest received | 725 | 1,319 |
| Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities | (1,695 | ) | 196 |
| Cash flows from financing activities |
| Loan repayments in year | (762 | ) | (1,320 | ) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (762 | ) | (1,320 | ) |
| Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period |
36,018 |
(29,192 |
) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period |
99,872 |
129,064 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period |
135,890 |
99,872 |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Notes to the Cash Flow Statement |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 1. | RECONCILIATION OF NET EXPENDITURE TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Net expenditure for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial Activities) |
(101,489 |
) |
(111,791 |
) |
| Adjustments for: |
| Depreciation charges | 117,582 | 119,238 |
| Interest received | (725 | ) | (1,319 | ) |
| Interest paid | 558 | - |
| Finance costs | 3,140 | 2,341 |
| Increase in stocks | (19,497 | ) | (3,575 | ) |
| Decrease/(increase) in debtors | 31,333 | (2,502 | ) |
| Increase/(decrease) in creditors | 11,271 | (28,119 | ) |
| Net cash provided by/(used in) operations | 42,173 | (25,727 | ) |
| 2. | ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS |
| At 1.1.25 | Cash flow | At 31.12.25 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Net cash |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 99,872 | 36,018 | 135,890 |
| 99,872 | 36,018 | 135,890 |
| Debt |
| Debts falling due within 1 year | (762 | ) | 762 | - |
| (762 | ) | 762 | - |
| Total | 99,110 | 36,780 | 135,890 |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| 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, with the exception of investments which are included at market value. |
| The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £1. |
| Going Concern |
| The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. |
| Preparation of consolidated financial statements |
| The financial statements contain information about The West Harris Trust as an individual charity and do not contain consolidated financial information as the parent of a group. |
| Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty |
| Fixed asset net book value and depreciation charges are the areas of the accounts which are affected by significant judgements and estimates. The directors exercise judgement in determining both the useful economic life and the likely residual value of the company's assets. This judgement affects the rates of and charge for depreciation in the accounts for the year. It also therefore affects the net book value of the assets in the balance sheet. |
| Income |
| All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the income, there is sufficient certainty of receipt and so it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably. Income received in advance is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met. |
| Grants generated to support the objects of the charity and without further specified purpose are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities in that period. Grants received which are related to capital expenditure or are for a specified purpose are transferred to Restricted Funds and are utilised to fund the future depreciation of the related capital expenditure or fund the costs relating to the specified purpose. |
| 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. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. |
| Charitable activities |
| Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its objects and activities. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. The allocation of direct and support costs are analysed in the notes to the financial statements. |
| Governance costs |
| Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include accountancy fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
| Allocation and apportionment of costs |
| All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis e.g. estimated usage. |
| Tangible fixed assets |
| Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
| Land | - |
| Estate improvements | - |
| Buildings | - |
| Plant and machinery | - |
| Fixtures and fittings | - |
| Office equipment | - |
| Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The costs of minor additions or those costing below £100 are not capitalised. |
| Assets not measured at fair value are reviewed for any indication that the asset may be impaired at each balance sheet date. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated and compared to the carrying amount. Where the carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss unless the asset is carried at a revalued amount where the impairment loss is a revaluation decrease. |
| 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. |
| Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes. |
| 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. |
| Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits |
| The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. |
| Investments |
| Fixed asset investments in group undertakings are stated at cost less accumulated provision. |
| Debtors and creditors |
| Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. |
| Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. |
| Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 2. | DONATIONS AND LEGACIES |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Donations |
| 3. | OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Electricity generation | 7,347 | 18,153 |
| 4. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Interest received |
| All investment income arises from assets held within the UK. |
| 5. | INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| Activity | £ | £ |
| Rental income | Charitable activities | 123,817 | 159,480 |
| Land sales | Charitable activities | 31,877 | 33,417 |
| Grants | Charitable activities | 76,829 | 25,840 |
| Fundraising | Charitable activities | 36,190 | 38,647 |
| Management charges | Charitable activities | 1,308 | 1,130 |
| Events Income | Charitable activities | 4,850 | 4,622 |
| Share of running costs | Charitable activities | (6,600 | ) | 19,800 |
| Electric Car Charger | Charitable activities | - | 287 |
| Employment Allowance | Charitable activities | 8,671 | 5,000 |
| Grants received, included in the above, are as follows: |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Highlands and Islands Enterprise | 6,824 | - |
| Comhairle nan Eilean Siar | 50,000 | - |
| The Scottish Government | 10,680 | 24,475 |
| Outer Hebrides Community Led Local Development | 9,325 | 1,365 |
| 76,829 | 25,840 |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 6. | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS |
| Direct | Support |
| Costs (see | costs (see |
| note 7) | note 8) | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Charitable activities | 301,930 | 86,608 | 388,538 |
| 7. | DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Staff costs | 121,231 | 117,346 |
| Events | 8,704 | 35,282 |
| Aspiring Communities Project | - | 258 |
| Computer Expenses | - | 923 |
| Repairs and renewals | 12,910 | 16,359 |
| Legal and professional fees | 40,738 | 46,321 |
| Campsite | 765 | 10,156 |
| Depreciation | 117,582 | 119,238 |
| 301,930 | 345,883 |
| 8. | SUPPORT COSTS |
| Governance |
| Premises | Administration | costs | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Charitable activities | 49,397 | 32,564 | 4,647 | 86,608 |
| Support costs, included in the above, are as follows: |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| Charitable | Total |
| activities | activities |
| £ | £ |
| Light and heat | 36,690 | 29,078 |
| Telephone | 4,205 | 4,037 |
| Rates and water | 5,338 | 3,623 |
| Cleaning | 3,164 | 1,699 |
| Rent | - | 7,950 |
| Insurance | 19,470 | 16,429 |
| Travel expenses | 1,135 | 1,433 |
| Training and conferences | 1,272 | 1,397 |
| Postage and stationery | 1,966 | 1,756 |
| Advertising | 1,073 | 638 |
| Memberships and subscriptions | 2,275 | 1,191 |
| Sundry expenses | 1,675 | 989 |
| Finance costs | 3,698 | 2,341 |
| Accountancy and legal fees | 4,647 | 3,949 |
| 86,608 | 76,510 |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 9. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Depreciation - owned assets |
| 10. | 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. |
| 11. | STAFF COSTS |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Wages and salaries |
| Social security costs |
| Other pension costs |
| 121,231 | 117,346 |
| The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| Trust activities |
| 12. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
| funds | funds | funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies | ( |
) |
| Charitable activities |
| Other trading activities |
| Investment income |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Charitable activities |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 12. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
| funds | funds | funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| Transfers between funds | (6,652 | ) | 6,652 | - |
| Net movement in funds | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward | 214,358 | 2,030,872 |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 212,760 | 1,920,679 | 2,133,439 |
| 13. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
| Estate |
| Land | improvements | Buildings |
| £ | £ | £ |
| 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 |
| Fixtures |
| Plant and | and | Office |
| machinery | fittings | 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 |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 14. | FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS |
| Shares in |
| group |
| undertakings |
| £ |
| MARKET VALUE |
| At 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 31 December 2025 | 101 |
| At 31 December 2024 | 101 |
| There were no investment assets outside the UK. |
| The company's investments at the balance sheet date in the share capital of companies include the following: |
| Registered office: Talla na Mara, Pairc Niseaboist, Horgabost, Isle of Harris, Scotland, HS3 3AE |
| Nature of business: trade of electricity |
| % |
| Class of share: | holding |
| £ | £ |
| Aggregate capital and reserves | ( |
) |
| Loss for the year | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| Registered office: Talla na Mara, Pairc Niseaboist, Horgabost, Isle of Harris, Scotland, HS3 3AE |
| Nature of business: Restaurant |
| % |
| Class of share: | holding |
| £ | £ |
| Aggregate capital and reserves | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| Profit/(loss) for the year | ( |
) |
| 15. | STOCKS |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Stocks |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 16. | DEBTORS |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Amounts falling due within one year: |
| Trade debtors |
| Amounts owed by group undertakings |
| Other debtors |
| VAT |
| Prepayments and accrued income |
| Amounts falling due after more than one year: |
| Amounts owed by group undertakings |
| Aggregate amounts |
| 17. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 31.12.25 | 31.12.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Other loans (see note 18) |
| Trade creditors | ( |
) |
| Social security and other taxes |
| VAT | 345 | - |
| Other creditors |
| Accrued expenses |
| 18. | 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: |
| Loans | - | 762 |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 19. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
| Net | Transfers |
| movement | between | At |
| At 1.1.25 | in funds | funds | 31.12.25 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 199,930 | 625 | (39,205 | ) | 161,350 |
| Talla Na Mara | 12,829 | (37,028 | ) | 33,862 | 9,663 |
| (36,403 | ) | ( |
) |
| Restricted funds |
| Capital fund | 1,811,680 | (109,743 | ) | - | 1,701,937 |
| Estate Purchase fund | 59,000 | - | - | 59,000 |
| Building Reserve Fund | 50,000 | - | - | 50,000 |
| Housing Development | - | 44,657 | 5,343 | 50,000 |
| (65,086 | ) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | (101,489 | ) | 2,031,950 |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 210,293 | (209,668 | ) | 625 |
| Talla Na Mara | (73 | ) | (36,955 | ) | (37,028 | ) |
| ( |
) | (36,403 | ) |
| Restricted funds |
| Revenue Grants fund | 9,325 | (9,325 | ) | - |
| Capital fund | - | (109,743 | ) | (109,743 | ) |
| Housing Development | 67,504 | (22,847 | ) | 44,657 |
| ( |
) | (65,086 | ) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | (101,489 | ) |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 19. | 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 | 214,358 | 5,053 | (6,652 | ) | 212,759 |
| Restricted funds |
| Capital fund | 1,921,872 | (110,192 | ) | - | 1,811,680 |
| Estate Purchase fund | 59,000 | - | - | 59,000 |
| Building Reserve Fund | 50,000 | - | - | 50,000 |
| Housing Development | - | (6,652 | ) | 6,652 | - |
| 2,030,872 | (116,844 | ) | 6,652 | 1,920,680 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 2,245,230 | (111,791 | ) | - | 2,133,439 |
| Comparative net movement in funds included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds | 284,763 | (279,710 | ) | 5,053 |
| Restricted funds |
| Revenue Grants fund | 1,365 | (1,365 | ) | - |
| Capital fund | (1 | ) | (110,191 | ) | (110,192 | ) |
| Housing Development | 24,475 | (31,127 | ) | (6,652 | ) |
| 25,839 | (142,683 | ) | (116,844 | ) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 310,602 | (422,393 | ) | (111,791 | ) |
| FUNDS |
| General fund |
| The general fund represents unrestricted funds which the trustees are free to use in accordance with the charitable objects. |
| Talla na Mara fund |
| The general fund represents unrestricted funds which the trustees are free to use in accordance with the charitable objects in relation to activities at the Talla na Mara community centre. |
| Revenue Grants fund |
| This represents grants received from public funding agencies and trusts in respect of specified revenue costs. |
| Capital fund |
| This represents grants received from public funding agencies and trusts in respect of specified capital expenditure. |
| Estate Purchase fund |
| This represents the grants received from public funding agencies and trusts to assist with the purchase of the West Harris estates. |
| THE WEST HARRIS TRUST |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 |
| 19. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
| Building Reserve Fund |
| This is a restricted fund that holds funds to assist with the future maintenance of the properties owned by the charity. |
| Housing Fund |
| This represents funding received a housing development project, Bail Ur, which looks to create up to 10 affordable homes in West Harris. |
| Transfers between funds |
| Transfers in the year represent the General Fund's support for the Talla na Mara Fund and Housing Project. |
| 20. | CONTINGENT LIABILITIES |
| Big Lottery Fund have a standard security over area of land at Horgabost, Isle of Harris in respect of all sums due or to become due. This security is taken by Big Lottery Fund as part of the conditions of grant funding to allow clawback of grant should these conditions not be met. |
| 21. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
| The charity has advanced a loan to its subsidiary company, Pairc Niseaboist Power Limited ('PNP'), to assist in the funding of its capital expenditure programme. The loan was secured from Western Isles Development Trust and the repayments of the loan will be funded by the charity and recharged to PNP. The balance due to the charity at 31 December 2025 was £10,000 (2024 - £10,000). |
| The charity has provided working capital assistance to PNP to assist with funding of expenditure. The balance due by the company at 31 December 2025 was £8,204 (2024 - £8,204). |
| The charity paid PNP £26,696 (2024: £24,996) in relation to electricity purchased. |
| During the year ended 31 December 2025, West Harris Trust received management charges income of £1,308 (2024 - £1,090) from its subsidiaries. |
| The charity has a second trading subsidiary Talla na Mara Restaurant Limited ("TnM"). The company paid the charity £Nil (2024: 19,800) in relation to shared running costs. The balance owed to the charity at the year end is £31,066 (2024: 31,066). |
| 22. | LIMITED BY GUARANTEE |
| The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of the company being wound up is restricted to £1. |
| 23. | PERMANENT ENDOWMENTS |
| The charity does not have any permanent endowments. |