Amenity trust ends year in ‘healthy’ financial position
INCOME at Shetland Amenity Trust is up and expenditure down, board members heard at the charity’s AGM on Wednesday.
Trustees were told that the total income in 2025/26 had risen from £3.6 million to £3.7 million, with the bulk of this coming through funding from Shetland Charitable Trust and the council.
Expenditure was down more than £300,000 to nearly £3.75 million.
The AGM heard that the headcount at the trust has reduced from 54 to 50, but it is understood that “natural attrition” has been a factor behind this.
Over recent years the amenity trust has also sought to sell off some of its property.
The year-end net position was a deficit of around £33,000, which is significantly lower than it has been previously and was described as nearly break-even. The trust also no longer has an overdraft.
Outgoing chair Alison Moncrieff said it had been a “really successful year in a difficult climate”.
In a report to trustees, she said that over the past year the charity has “continued to improve our governance, modernise the organisation, strengthen our financial management and develop new partnerships”.
“These foundations are helping to ensure that the trust is well placed to meet future challenges while continuing to invest in the heritage, environment and communities we exist to serve.”
In 2025/26 the trust welcomed 65,000 visitors, with 50,000 of these coming to the museum in Lerwick and the crofthouse museum in the south end.
A total of 13,000 visits were recorded at the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, 1,000 at the Old Scatness Broch and another 1,000 at Shetland Wool Week.
Over the year 12,456 native trees were grown, 134 hectares of peat were restored, £45,000 was awarded to ten heritage groups and 1,500 pupils were engaged through museum learning programmes.
Moncrieff also hailed the Junior Rangers programme, which aims to inspire the next generation of conservationists. During the year 15 young people, aged between 13 and 18, signed up to the programme.
Meanwhile after eight years in the chair position, Moncrieff has now stepped down.
She was replaced at the top of the board at Wednesday’s AGM by existing trustee Hamish Balfour.
Olaf Isbister and John Uttley were appointed as vice-chairs.
At the AGM Stephen Mobbs and Gemma MacGregor were also confirmed as new trustees.
The board is completed by Margaret Reeves, Bobby Hunter, Vic Thomas and Lindsay Tulloch.
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