01 Identity
Scottish charity record
- OSCR charity number
- SC041019
- Status
- Active
- Regulatory type
- Standard
- Designated religious body
- No
- Geographical spread
- More than one local authority area in Scotland
- Volunteers
- 1-50 volunteers
- Staff
- 0
- Postcode
- KY12 8LP
02 Purpose and work
What the charity exists to do
Established in 1894, the Society was originally formed to encourage and develop skills and the art of engineering for aspiring engineers, young people and those who are simply fascinated by mechanical devices. It also aims to give the general public a better appreciation of the role of mechanical engineering in society both in the past and today, achieving this through the provision of lectures, workshop training, practical instruction, public events and the creation of an encouraging environment for those who are new to the discipline. Today it has an ever-increasing role in preserving the skills and craftsmanship associated with engineering workshop practice which is not only part of our heritage, but also in danger of being lost in the modern climate of digitisation. ESME provides an excellent forum for transference of such skills being a Society of intergenerational members some of whom are old enough to have been trained at a time when traditional methods were still employed.
Charitable purposes
- the advancement of education
- the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science
Beneficiaries
- No specific group, or for the benefit of the community
Activities
- It carries out activities or services itself
Constitutional objectives
To educate in, encourage and develop the skills and art of engineering through the construction of miniature, small scale and experimental prototype mach ines. To encourage the development of engineering knowledge in an atmosphere of mutual respect. To promote the understanding and appreciation of engineering and its history to general members of the public.
03 Annual returns
Income and expenditure history
| Year end | Income | Expenditure | Staff | Return received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 August 2025 | £51,136 | £28,617 | 0 | 21 November 2025 |
| 31 August 2024 | £42,451 | £26,780 | 0 | 22 November 2024 |
| 31 August 2023 | £47,349 | £26,841 | 0 | 7 November 2023 |
| 31 August 2022 | £47,349 | £26,841 | 0 | 21 November 2022 |
| 31 August 2021 | £25,531 | £31,164 | 0 | 6 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
- Ship Cottage, 3 Low Causeway, Torryburn, Fife
- Website supplied to OSCR
- www.edinburgh-sme.org.uk
- 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.