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Scottish Book Trust Annual Review 2024-25

Scottish Book Trust's Annual Review 2024-25 shows that through Bookbug, its universal book gifting programme supported by the Scottish Government, it gifted over 700,000 books to children across Scotland, including 204,308 Bookbug Bags, and Bookbug Sessions in public libraries were attended by over 300,000 children. During Book Week Scotland it distributed 65,000 copies of its free book, Scotland's Stories: Hope, with over 850 events and activities. More than 600 schools are now accredited through Reading Schools, and over 99,000 children viewed its Authors Live with the BBC programmes.

Report snapshot
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About

Scottish Book Trust is a national charity that believes everyone in Scotland should have equal access to books. It champions reading and writing through programmes including Bookbug book gifting for young children, Reading Schools, Book Week Scotland, Authors Live, Live Literature and support for writers, with a focus on creativity, equality and personal fulfilment. Scottish charity SC027669.

Key Metrics

700,000+ books gifted to children across Scotland through Bookbug
300,000+ children attended Bookbug Sessions in public libraries
600+ schools accredited in the Reading Schools programme

Key Outcomes

  • 65,000 copies of the free book Scotland's Stories: Hope distributed during Book Week Scotland
  • 90% of library users surveyed said their library inspires their love of reading a lot
  • Over 99,000 children viewed Authors Live with the BBC broadcasts

Geography

Scotland

Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
Total income £138,600,000 and total expenditure £108,350,000 (year ended 31 March 2025, charity no. 1068852); 5 million people welcomed through palace gates; £138.6m income...
Key Metric 2
Over 160,000 members making 300,000+ visits generating £5.8m membership income plus £814k Gift Aid; 217,400 £1 Universal Credit tickets sold; 304,000 visitors to Untold...
Key Metric 3
89% of visitors gained a better understanding of stories (discovery); 83% felt happier after their visit (joy); 76% were inspired to learn more; 28,365...
83% of visitors felt happier after their visit; 89% gained better understanding of palace stories; 94% charitable activities allocation of total expenditure; Tomorrow's Tower campaign secured £1.9m including £1m from Sandys Trust and National Lottery Heritage Fund development grant
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
3,943 young people reached across 279 learning sessions in 16 programmes; 46 public performances reaching 8,517 audience members
Key Metric 2
100+ Emerging Professionals supported with 159 paid performance opportunities; 32% from regions beyond London; 32% from African, Asian, Caribbean or Mixed Heritage backgrounds
Key Metric 3
46% of Under-18 participants receive bursaries; 46% benefit from free access (Pupil Premium, free school meals or low-income families)
Largest single concert audience of 1,500 for British Standard Time at Berlin's Konzerthaus; NYJO Under 18s alumni have gone on to Birmingham Conservatoire, Leeds Conservatoire and Cambridge University
Impact Snapshot
Fellows worldwide
Around 2,800 Fellows connected worldwide, joining a global community of scholars, archaeologists, historians and heritage enthusiasts.
Public engagement
More than 3.7 million combined engagements across Society channels, estimated at over 2.2 million individuals, with 20,000+ social media followers.
Publications reach
56,868 e-book downloads, 6 new e-books published and 18 funded projects totaling over £30,000.
Scotlands past was researched, shared, enjoyed and protected by more people, with national research frameworks and public engagement projects supporting scholars, communities and grassroots heritage initiatives.
Impact Snapshot
Sales generated
Over £6.5 million in sales generated by publicly funded programmes in 2025/26.
Livelihoods supported
Around 13,500 artists, musicians and nano creative enterprises supported across the UK.
Return on investment
£9 returned to the creative economy for every £1 of public investment received.
Artists, musicians and nano creative enterprises gained vital income and business support, strengthening a thriving and inclusive creative economy.