Scotland’s Churches Trust is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). As a registered charity (SCO 43105) it is regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

The organisation is established for charitable purposes only and, in particular, aims to advance the preservation, promotion and understanding of Scotland’s rich architectural heritage represented in its churches and places of worship of all denominations.

The Trust’s constitution was reviewed and updated in 2024. Following this review, its purposes are:

• To sustain and support Scotland’s religious heritage by promoting the preservation and upkeep of sacred places, religious buildings, their furnishings and churchyards.
• To encourage the custodians of sacred places to regularly open them to welcome their communities, visitors, tourists and pilgrims and ensure their sustainable use.
• To promote public understanding of and engagement with the history, art, music, architecture and traditions of churches and other sacred places and their position as a focal point in their communities, and
• To support individuals, bodies or organisations with aims or objects analogous to the above purposes (including financial support, when the Trust’s funds permit).

Structure

The Trust’s Patron is HRH The Princess Royal, it also has a President and three Vice-Presidents, all honorary positions, and ten Trustees, who are responsible for the management of the Trust. All office-holders are voluntary positions. There are two members of staff: a full-time Director and a part-time Office Administrator.

The board has agreed role descriptions for the Chairperson, President, Honorary Vice-Presidents and Trustees, as well as the office team. These descriptions are kept under regular review.

Trustees

Trustees are appointed for their individual skills which support and complement the activities of the Trust. Prior to appointment each potential Trustee is interviewed by the Chairperson before being appointed by the board. Once appointed, new Trustees are given a detailed induction to the organisation by the Director and receive essential documentation, including:

• copies of the constitution
• Trustee and other role descriptions
• information from OSCR on the role of a charity trustee, including Financial Management.
• Latest financial statements and Annual Report
  Trustees’ key responsibilities include governance and strategy, financial oversight, funding and development, risk management and community and stakeholder engagement.

Trust policy documents reviewed regularly by the board include:

• risk register
• investment policy
• scheme of delegation

Sub-committees

Scotland’s Churches Trust has four sub-committees, each with an agreed remit that supports the aims and objectives of the Trust:

• Finance sub-committee
• Church Maintenance Sub-committee
• Music sub-committee
• Outreach & Events Sub-committee

Sub-committees are chaired by a Trustee and their membership may include non-Trustees who bring specialist expertise to support particular areas of SCT’s work. They meet approximately six times a year, between Trustee meetings. Each meeting is minuted and copies of minutes are circulated to the board.

Volunteers

The Trust is also fortunate enough to have a network of local volunteers across Scotland, who give up their time to document and record the cultural heritage contained in Scotland’s closing churches. Volunteers also kindly assist the Trust when hosting public events or providing heritage stalls and volunteer heritage interns also assist with occasional project work in the office.