01 Identity
Scottish charity record
- OSCR charity number
- SC029167
- Status
- Active
- Regulatory type
- Standard
- Designated religious body
- No
- Geographical spread
- Scotland and other parts of the UK
- Volunteers
- 1-50 volunteers
- Staff
- 9
- Postcode
- EH7 4LZ
02 Purpose and work
What the charity exists to do
Play Scotland is the national expert in play and works to promote the importance of play for all children and young people, and campaigns to create increased play opportunities at home, in early learning and childcare environments and in the community. Play Scotland’s work is underpinned by Article 31 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) , and the UNCRC General Comment No17 (Article 31) which articulates the “the need to create time and space for children to engage in spontaneous play, recreation and creativity, and to promote societal attitudes that support and encourage such activity.” 1. To increase awareness of the importance of play and the contribution play makes to the development and wellbeing of children and young people. 2. To lead, campaign and plan for a more playful Scotland where every child can participate in diverse and quality play experiences. 3. To build a strong membership of active play champions
Charitable purposes
- the advancement of education
- the advancement of health
- the provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended
- the advancement of environmental protection or improvement
Beneficiaries
- Children or young people
Activities
- It carries out activities or services itself
Constitutional objectives
(a) To advance the education of the public about the nature and value of play: (b) To advance the education of children through educative play and through the promotion of education and training in good play practice(s). and (c) To further the health of children, young people and adults:- 1. by promoting an understanding and awareness of the nature and value of play 2. by optimising the use of a wide range of resources to develop all types of play 3. by encouraging co-ordination and co-operation between organisations and agencies working in the field of play 4. by providing or facilitating information, advice, training, research and other services relating to play in order to foster good practice
03 Annual returns
Income and expenditure history
| Year end | Income | Expenditure | Staff | Return received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2025 | £345,685 | £342,561 | 9 | 5 December 2025 |
| 31 March 2024 | £278,600 | £374,723 | 9 | 9 July 2024 |
| 31 March 2023 | £268,580 | £331,622 | 9 | 19 December 2023 |
| 31 March 2022 | £678,561 | £518,644 | 9 | 30 August 2023 |
| 31 March 2021 | £286,201 | £277,499 | 9 | 21 December 2021 |
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
- Play Scotland, Hopetoun Gate, 8b McDonald Road, Edinburgh
- Website supplied to OSCR
- www.playscotland.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.