About The Lady Margaret Skiffington Trust
The Lady Margaret Skiffington Trust was constituted by Trust Deed dated 2nd and 3rd June 2004. Its objects are detailed in the trust deed.
The area in which the Trust is authorised to operate is "East Fife", which is defined to include the former district of North East Fife and part of Central Fife, the boundary being shown on the map below.
The area we cover
Robert Gourlay was appointed a trustee in 2005. After leaving High School, he commenced working for Nairn Williamson Linoleum, during which time he obtained an Accountancy qualification at Kirkcaldy Technical College. After seven years he worked for Distillers Co Ltd in Leven from 1968 until 1990, when he retired at the age of 46 due to sight loss and was registered as blind. He then obtained a HND in Computer Programming and Information Technology at Adam Smith College and won the award of Scotvec National Student of the Year 1993. He was Chairman of Fife Society for the Blind between 1996 and 2003.
He worked for the Samaritans between 1992 and 2004 and was Chairman of their Kirkcaldy and District branch 2001 to 2004. He has been a volunteer with Cruze Bereavement Services since 2006. He now has his third guide dog.
Alasdair D Hood was appointed a trustee in 2011. He holds a diploma in Horticulture from the West of Scotland Agricultural College and a degree in Environmental Management Practice from Durham University. He also has a teaching qualification. After gaining experience in horticulture he took up a teaching post at Durham College of Agriculture and Horticulture. He was appointed head of Horticulture at Elmwood College, Cupar and then became Curator of the University of Dundee Botanic Garden in 1998. He is an active triathlete and hill runner, and enjoys sailing, mountaineering and working with wood.
Elaine McNaught (née Fleming) was appointed a trustee in 2014. She was born and brought up in the St Andrews area. She holds a BSc degree in nursing from Abertay University. She is an employment support worker with the Action Group, a charity in Edinburgh which helps adults and children and their carers with support needs. She was registered blind in 2007 and is married with two young sons.
Maggie Picken, a former lawyer with over 25 years of experience, joined the Skiffington Trust in May 2016.
She qualified as a lawyer in 1983 and worked in Edinburgh for several years before moving to St Andrews.
In 2008, Maggie made a bold decision to leave her successful legal career behind to pursue her passion for hospitality. She started her own holiday accommodation business called St. Andrews Coach Houses, which has been thriving for the past 15 years. Maggie's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to providing quality service have undoubtedly contributed to the continued success of her business.
She enjoys a variety of sports including tennis, triathlon and skiing.
James Wright joined the Skiffington Trust in December 2021.
James Wright is a singer/ songwriter and author from the East Neuk of Fife. His work is distributed worldwide and he regularly tours on the European music / literature circuit.
Martin Baird joined the board of trustees in 2022.
Martin worked as a dentist for thirty four years in Edinburgh and his own practice in Dundee. He also did emergency dental work at Ninewells and KingsCross hospitals.
He has always had an active interest in all aspects of health care and sight loss especially after a friend lost his sight after a stroke.
He is a keen cyclist,skier and golfer.
Iain Blyth was appointed a trustee in 2022. Born and brought up in the East Neuk, he graduated from Dundee University with a degree in Economics. Having worked in accountancy roles in both public practice and local government, he qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA).
Shortly after qualifying he became a lecturer at a college of Further Education in central Scotland and has a teaching qualification. He has been an External Verifier for the SQA and was a local office bearer for the EIS teaching union.
For many years he was an Associate Lecturer with the Open University. Golf remains a passion, obsession and frustration.
The Managing Secretaries of the trust are Henderson Black & Co CAs, Chestney House, 149 Market Street, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9PF Tel: 01334 472255 Fax: 01334 475792 to whom all enquiries should be addressed..
