01 Identity
Scottish charity record
- OSCR charity number
- SC022403
- Status
- Active
- Regulatory type
- Standard
- Designated religious body
- No
- Geographical spread
- More than one local authority area in Scotland
- Volunteers
- 1-50 volunteers
- Staff
- 12
- Postcode
- PA75 6NU
02 Purpose and work
What the charity exists to do
The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust (HWDT) works towards healthy seas for nature and communities. For over three decades HWDT has been leading the way for the conservation of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in the waters of western Scotland. Based on the Isle of Mull, in the heart of the Hebrides, HWDT carry out long-term research to monitor and protect cetaceans, inspire people to take action and make a difference, inform decision-makers, and advocate for the recovery of the marine environment. HWDT has a strong track record of innovative, community-based marine research. Our citizen science research expeditions pioneered a sustainable model for public participation in marine research. We also developed Whale Track, the UK’s first cetacean sightings app, making it easier for the public to contribute valuable monitoring data. This project builds on HWDT’s long-standing commitment to innovation and community-based research and monitoring.
Charitable purposes
- the advancement of education
- the advancement of citizenship or community development
- the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science
- the advancement of environmental protection or improvement
- the advancement of animal welfare
Beneficiaries
- No specific group, or for the benefit of the community
Activities
- It carries out activities or services itself
Constitutional objectives
1 The trust’s objects are: (a) All purposes that are charitable relating to cetaceans, and especially: (b) the advancement of environmental protection or improvement. (c) the advancement of animal welfare. (d) the advancement of the arts, culture, heritage and science. (e) the advancement of citizenship or community development, including volunteering and the social and economic development of communities. (f) education.
03 Annual returns
Income and expenditure history
| Year end | Total income | Donations | Charitable activities income | Trading income | Investment income | Other income | Total expenditure | Raising funds | Charitable activities spending | Other spending | Staff | Return received |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 2025 | £599,180 | £110,654 | £429,540 | £58,986 | £0 | £0 | £620,102 | £0 | £620,102 | £0 | 12 | 30 September 2026 |
| 31 December 2024 | £621,442 | £161,032 | £407,487 | £52,923 | £0 | £0 | £460,218 | £28,121 | £432,097 | £0 | 12 | 15 September 2025 |
| 31 December 2023 | £533,902 | £87,680 | £400,942 | £45,280 | £0 | £0 | £486,676 | £0 | £464,485 | £22,191 | 12 | 27 September 2024 |
| 31 December 2022 | £499,858 | £33,156 | £435,517 | £31,185 | £0 | £0 | £486,979 | £16,385 | £468,278 | £2,316 | 12 | 8 September 2023 |
| 31 December 2021 | £356,198 | £62,986 | £268,575 | £24,637 | £0 | £0 | £364,784 | £9,508 | £353,056 | £2,220 | 12 | 23 September 2022 |
Figures are those reported by the charity and supplied in the OSCR bulk download. Blank facts remain distinct from zero.
04 Contact record
Principal office or trustees address
- Address supplied to OSCR
- 28 Main Street, Tobermory, Isle of Mull
- Website supplied to OSCR
- www.hwdt.org
- Parent charity
- Not supplied
No direct external links on this profile. The official OSCR record and source documentation are available through BritDB’s dedicated source page.
05 Provenance
Source for this profile
© Crown Copyright and database right 2026. Contains information from the Scottish Charity Register supplied by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. BritDB is an independent service and does not claim to be the Scottish Charity Register.