REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: SC356487 (Scotland)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 041340

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st March 2026

for

Soirbheas

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

8

Independent Examiner's Report

9

Statement of Financial Activities

10

Balance Sheet

11

to

12

Notes to the Financial Statements

13

to

19

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 31st March 2026. 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

Board

The charity is governed by a board of directors which meets regularly and is responsible for all strategic decisions. Quarterly board meetings are open to all members.

Vision, objectives and activities

Soirbheas' vision is for a more vibrant, growing and greener community. The charity has adopted a set of values, which guide all of its activities. Those values are: Communicative, Caring, Collaborative, Committed and Credible. Further details can be found on the Charity's website at www.soirbheas.org in the "About Us" section.

The charity objectives are:-

To manage community land and associated assets for the benefit of the community of Strathglass and Glen Urquhart and the public in general following principles of sustainable development;

To provide recreational facilities and activities with the object of improving the conditions of life of the community and following principles of sustainable development;

To promote for the public benefit rural regeneration following principles of sustainable development, in areas of social and economic deprivation within the community;

To advance the education of the community about its environment, culture, heritage and history; and

To advance environment protection and improvement including preservation and conservation of the natural environment, the promotion of sustainable development, the maintenance, improvement and provision of environment amenities for the community, and the preservation of building or sites of architectural, historic or other importance to the community.

The above is a summary of the charitable objectives; the charity's governance documents, containing the full list of its charitable objectives, can be found at www.soirbheas.org in the Document Library section.

Achievements and performance

Charitable activities

This report covers the charity's twelfth year of grant distribution. During 2025/26, Soirbheas awarded a total of £420,807.11 in support of projects, apprenticeships, community initiatives and local activities across Glen Urquhart and Strathglass.

2025/26 has again been a busy and productive year for Soirbheas, with support provided through 11 Tier 1 Grants, 7 Tier 2 Grants, an advance Tier 3 drawdown supporting the Glen Urquhart Public Hall redevelopment project, and 2 apprenticeship grants supporting local employment and skills development.

The number and variety of awards continue to demonstrate the demand for community support across the Glens and reflect the commitment, ideas and voluntary effort shown by local organisations, volunteers and community groups throughout the year. As always, we continue to be inspired by the willingness of people within our communities to step forward, support one another and develop projects and activities which make a real difference locally.

Tier 1 Grants (up to £1,000)

Tier 1 Grants, now known as Community Benefit Grants (CBGs), continue to support a wide range of smaller local initiatives and activities across the Glens.

11 Tier 1 Grants were awarded during 2025/26 totalling £9,367.73.

Awards included support for:

- Balnain Primary School Parent Council - school swimming transport

- Glenurquhart Childcare Centre - holiday club costs

- Artsplay Highland - Early Years music sessions

- SACC - Cannich Winter Sessions

- Glen Urquhart Primary School Parent Council - Walk2School programme

- SACC - Hogmanay Event

- SACC - Development Officer mobile phone

- Glen Urquhart Rugby Football Club - club strips

- Cannich First Responders - unit equipment

- GURCA on behalf of the Childcare Centre - woodland gate

- Glen Urquhart Primary School Parent Council - transport hire and MIDAS training

Tier 2 Grants (up to £20,000)

Tier 2 Grants continued to support larger community projects and organisational development work.

7 Tier 2 Grants were awarded during 2025/26 totalling £84,854.42.

Awards included support for:

- Strathglass Community Council - SCAP & Local Place Plan

- Glen Urquhart Bowling Club - kitchen upgrade

- Glenurquhart Childcare Centre - towards manager wages

- Strathglass & Affric Community Company - towards Community Development Officer wages

- GURCA - Balmacaan Path improvements

- Glen Urquhart Men's Shed - kindling machine

- Inverness Disc Golf - disc golf equipment

Tier 3 Advance Drawdown

During 2025/26, an advance Tier 3 drawdown of £290,000 from the SSE Renewables Bhlaraidh Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund was secured to support the redevelopment of Glen Urquhart Public Hall.

The completed redevelopment has created a significantly improved, modernised and accessible facility for residents, community groups and events across Glen Urquhart and Strathglass and is something the community can be extremely proud of.

Apprenticeship Grants

Apprenticeship Grants continue to provide support for local young people to develop skills and employment opportunities within the community.

Two apprenticeship grants were awarded during 2025/26 totalling £35,864.96:

- Glenurquhart Care Centre - Cook in Care Environment apprenticeship

- Glenurquhart Childcare Centre - Childcare apprenticeship

A summary of all grants awarded can be found at www.soirbheas.org.

Income Sources

Corrimony Energy Ltd (CEL)

The charity's primary source of income continues to be profits generated through Corrimony Energy Ltd from the Corrimony Wind Farm. Overall performance of the wind farm remains reliable but can vary due to wind speeds, power prices and other external factors.

SSE Bhlaraidh Wind Farm

Since 2016, Soirbheas has been in receipt of Community Benefit funding from SSE Renewables' Bhlaraidh Wind Farm.

The funding supports the apprenticeship programme, community development activity and wider grant support across Glen Urquhart and Strathglass. The Bhlaraidh project continues to provide an inflation-linked and predictable source of community benefit income.

Green Highland Renewables - Shenval and Coiltie Micro Hydro Schemes

Both schemes continue to provide smaller annual community benefit payments which support community services and projects across the Glens.

Other Projects, Initiatives and Community Engagement

Tattie Day

Tattie Day 2026 took place in April at Blairbeg Hall alongside the Farmers Market, once again bringing together local growers, community groups and residents to celebrate gardening, food and growing within the community.

The event raised over £400 for Glen Urquhart Horticultural Society and continues to encourage local growing, volunteering and community involvement across the Glens. It was fantastic to once again see such strong community support for the event.

Community Larder

"The Cabin" Food Larder at Café 82 car park in Drumnadrochit continues to provide an important community resource for local food sharing and support.

The project is maintained by Soirbheas with the help of a dedicated group of local volunteers who regularly help stock, monitor and maintain the larder. Alongside community contributions and regular FareShare deliveries, Soirbheas also continues to provide monthly funding towards stock and supplies to help ensure the larder remains available to those who need it.

We remain extremely grateful to everyone who continues to volunteer, donate and support the project.

Glens Befriending Service

The Glens Befriending Service continues to support people who may be feeling isolated or lonely by matching them with a volunteer for regular contact and companionship.

The service continues to provide an important source of support and connection for people across Glen Urquhart and Strathglass and we remain extremely grateful to all volunteers who continue to give their time so generously.

Defibrillator Support

Soirbheas continues to provide funding support towards several registered community defibrillators across the Glens, including replacement batteries and pads when equipment reaches end of life, helping ensure units remain operational and accessible within the community.

Vision Review

This year also saw Soirbheas review and simplify parts of the grant programme, including changes to Community Benefit Grants which now allow applications from individuals undertaking projects with wider community benefit.

Work also began on refreshing the Soirbheas Vision Statement alongside future website development. The Vision Statement review launched during spring 2026 to help ensure Soirbheas remains clear and transparent about what we do for the community and how we operate moving forward.

Community feedback is continuing to help shape the organisation's future direction, priorities and future development and we are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to engage with the process so far.

Community Benefit

Soirbheas continues to monitor and, where appropriate, engage with developers of renewable energy projects affecting the Glens whilst retaining neutrality regarding planning matters.

The organisation's objective is to help ensure that, where projects proceed, community benefit opportunities are maximised for Glen Urquhart and Strathglass and continue to provide meaningful long-term benefit to local communities.

Marketing and Communications

Two newsletters were produced during 2025/26 and distributed electronically and by post to local households.

Regular website and social media updates continue to provide information on grants, projects, events and community news across the Glens.

Membership remains free and open to anyone living within the local community area and we continue to encourage people to stay connected and involved in the work of Soirbheas.

Staffing

Soirbheas continues to be supported by a committed team of staff, volunteer Directors and advisors who provide governance, project support and community leadership across Glen Urquhart and Strathglass.

Kara Scott continues to oversee the day-to-day operation and development of Soirbheas in her role as Interim Community Development Manager.

Lindsay Treasure joined the team in October 2025 providing administrative support across the organisation.

Alongside managing grant programmes and wider initiatives, the staff team continue to provide advice, development support and practical assistance to local organisations through project planning, partnership working and support towards securing external and match funding opportunities.

Sarah Selby continues in her role as Glens Befriending Co-ordinator supporting volunteers and clients across both Glens.

All staff continue to play an important role in supporting community activity across the Glens and their ongoing commitment, flexibility and support throughout the year is greatly appreciated.

The Board would also like to thank David Cooper and Malcolm Wield who step down from the Board this year following six years of service to Soirbheas and the wider community.

Financial review

Financial position

Incoming resources for the year totalled £476,308 (2025 - £269,169). Resources expended in the year totalled £500,105 (2025 - £285,064).

Income for the period includes income from Corrimony Energy Ltd, Community Benefit funding and SSE Renewables Bhlaraidh Wind Farm Community Benefit funding.

OSCR guidelines require that charities maintain reserves equivalent to a minimum of three months' operational costs. The charity receives its income at six monthly intervals and, in line with this, the directors consider it appropriate to maintain reserves equivalent to six months' operational costs.

At the balance sheet date the charity had total funds of £185,052 with cash reserves of £247,262 and grants awarded still to be paid over by the charity totalling £107,913.

Going concern

These financial statements have been prepared under the going concern basis as assessed by the trustees.

The trustees are not aware of any material uncertainties that may impact continuing as a going concern.

The factors considered by the trustees for this basis are the charity's projected and relatively consistent income from its shared ownership investment and community benefit agreements and ongoing ability to adjust its grants funding programme budget to match available income

Future plans

Soirbheas recognises that demand for grant funding and wider community support continues to increase across Glen Urquhart and Strathglass. The Board will continue to carefully monitor levels of available funding and future commitments to ensure resources can be managed sustainably whilst maximising long-term community benefit.

During the coming year, Soirbheas will continue to review and develop its grant programmes, guidance and supporting documentation to ensure application processes remain accessible, transparent and responsive to community need.

Work is also underway to review the Soirbheas Vision Statement alongside future website development, helping ensure the organisation remains clear about its role, priorities and future direction within the community. Community feedback gathered through the Vision Review process will help shape future development and activity across the organisation.

Alongside grant funding, the Community Development team will continue to actively support local organisations and projects through development support, partnership working and assistance to identify and secure match funding opportunities. This includes maintaining and developing a directory of external funding opportunities and continuing to work closely with groups to help maximise additional investment into the area from other funding sources.

Soirbheas will also continue to strengthen partnership working across the Glens and support projects, services and initiatives which provide long-term benefit to the communities of Glen Urquhart and Strathglass.

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.

Related parties

As at 31 March 2026, Soirbheas Trading Limited owed the charity £46,192.26. Loans were previously granted to enable the company to settle costs associated with the Corrimony Wind Farm development. These loans are interest free and there are no formal repayment terms.

During the year the charity received a donation of £nil (2025 - £nil) from Soirbheas Trading Limited.

Reference and administrative details

Registered Company number

SC356487 (Scotland)

Registered Charity number

041340

Registered office

4th Floor Metropolitan House

31-33 High Street

Inverness

Inverness-shire

IV1 1HT

Trustees

J P Murray (resigned 3.7.2025)

J L M Service (resigned 3.7.2025)

M Wield

D Cooper

A M Johnstone

K S Edwards - Chair

A P Rayner

A M Strange

E Trelfer (appointed 9.4.2025) (resigned 27.4.2026)

E Trelfer (appointed 9.4.2025) (resigned 27.4.2026)

M J Croft - Vice Chair (appointed 3.7.2025)

Company Secretary

E Trelfer

Independent Examiner

Stuart McMartin Bsc FCA

Frame Kennedy

4th Floor Metropolitan House

31-33 High Street

Inverness

Inverness-shire

IV1 1HT

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 2nd July 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

K S Edwards - Trustee

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2026 set out on pages ten to nineteen.

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.

Stuart McMartin Bsc FCA

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Frame Kennedy

4th Floor Metropolitan House

31-33 High Street

Inverness

Inverness-shire

IV1 1HT

2nd July 2026

2026

2025

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

fund

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

Income and endowments from

Donations and legacies

100,000

-

100,000

170,000

Charitable activities

Community benefit

10,745

364,479

375,224

97,581

Investment income

2

1,084

-

1,084

1,588

Total

111,829

364,479

476,308

269,169

Expenditure on

Charitable activities

Community benefit

127,922

372,183

500,105

285,064

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(16,093

)

(7,704

)

(23,797

)

(15,895

)

Reconciliation of funds

Total funds brought forward

185,178

23,671

208,849

224,744

Total funds carried forward

169,085

15,967

185,052

208,849

2026

2025

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

fund

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

Fixed assets

Tangible assets

7

2,918

-

2,918

2,366

Current assets

Debtors

8

48,332

-

48,332

137,571

Investments

9

1

-

1

1

Prepayments and accrued income

960

480

1,440

1,375

Cash at bank

173,456

73,806

247,262

292,737

222,749

74,286

297,035

431,684

Creditors

Amounts falling due within one year

10

(56,582

)

(58,319

)

(114,901

)

(225,201

)

Net current assets

166,167

15,967

182,134

206,483

Total assets less current liabilities

169,085

15,967

185,052

208,849

NET ASSETS

169,085

15,967

185,052

208,849

Funds

11

Unrestricted funds:

General fund

169,085

185,178

Restricted funds

15,967

23,671

Total funds

185,052

208,849

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st March 2026.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2026 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

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 2nd July 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

K S Edwards - Trustee

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.

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.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Fixtures and fittings

-

25% on reducing balance

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.

Limited by guarantee

Soirbheas is a company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have a share capital. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of its being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member.

2.	Investment income

2026

2025

£

£

Deposit account interest

1,084

1,588

3.	Net income/(expenditure)

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

2026

2025

£

£

Governance costs

2,100

1,695

Depreciation - owned assets

972

788

4.	Trustees' remuneration and benefits

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2026 nor for the year ended 31st March 2025.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31st March 2026 nor for the year ended 31st March 2025.

5.	Staff costs

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

2026

2025

Employees

3

3

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

6.	Comparatives for the statement of financial activities

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

fund

funds

£

£

£

Income and endowments from

Donations and legacies

170,000

-

170,000

Charitable activities

Community benefit

9,936

87,645

97,581

Investment income

1,588

-

1,588

Total

181,524

87,645

269,169

Expenditure on

Charitable activities

Community benefit

178,193

106,871

285,064

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

3,331

(19,226

)

(15,895

)

Transfers between funds

1,892

(1,892

)

-

Net movement in funds

5,223

(21,118

)

(15,895

)

Reconciliation of funds

Total funds brought forward

179,955

44,789

224,744

Total funds carried forward

185,178

23,671

208,849

7.	Tangible fixed assets

Fixtures

and

fittings

£

Cost

At 1st April 2025

6,182

Additions

1,524

At 31st March 2026

7,706

Depreciation

At 1st April 2025

3,816

Charge for year

972

At 31st March 2026

4,788

Net book value

At 31st March 2026

2,918

At 31st March 2025

2,366

8.	Debtors: amounts falling due within one year

2026

2025

£

£

Other debtors

48,332

137,571

9.	Current asset investments

2026

2025

£

£

Shares in group undertakings

1

1

10.	Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

2026

2025

£

£

Other creditors

448

488

Accruals and deferred income

114,453

224,713

114,901

225,201

11.	Movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1/4/25

in funds

31/3/26

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

185,178

(16,093

)

169,085

Restricted funds

Restricted fund

23,671

(7,704

)

15,967

TOTAL FUNDS

208,849

(23,797

)

185,052

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

111,829

(127,922

)

(16,093

)

Restricted funds

Restricted fund

364,479

(372,183

)

(7,704

)

TOTAL FUNDS

476,308

(500,105

)

(23,797

)

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1/4/24

in funds

funds

31/3/25

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

179,955

3,331

1,892

185,178

Restricted fund

Restricted fund

44,789

(19,226

)

(1,892

)

23,671

TOTAL FUNDS

224,744

(15,895

)

-

208,849

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

181,524

(178,193

)

3,331

Restricted fund

Restricted fund

87,645

(106,871

)

(19,226

)

TOTAL FUNDS

269,169

(285,064

)

(15,895

)

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

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1/4/24

in funds

funds

31/3/26

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

179,955

(12,762

)

1,892

169,085

Restricted fund

Restricted fund

44,789

(26,930

)

(1,892

)

15,967

TOTAL FUNDS

224,744

(39,692

)

-

185,052