The Neil Mackenzie Trust (charity no: SC046080) was set up in memory of Neil (Bell) Mackenzie to encourage training and adventure.  We have funds available to assist young people and adults to carry out skills training in non-competitive outdoor sports in Scotland and adventures and expeditions anywhere in the world.  Click here for information about grants available and how to apply.

The Neil Mackenzie Trust is a small charity, and as such our funds are limited. We are therefore not able to contribute the full cost of any training or expedition.  However, due to the generosity of our donors, and tenacity and drive of our fundraisers we have been able to support training and activities as diverse as rock climbing and bouldering in Madagascar, a University expedition to Namibia, and ice climbing, mountain leader  courses and assessments and Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician training in the Highlands.  The Trust has also jointly assisted members of the University of British Columbia (UBC) Varsity Outdoor Club (VOC) to take part in challenging adventures in Scotland and elsewhere. 

Since Covid the Trust has put a greater emphasis on Health and Wellbeing. It is well documented that being outdoors, pushing boundaries and learning new skills are all beneficial to physical and mental health.  We are keen to support people with health issues as well as those with other difficulties, whether they are personal, financial, family, environmental or some other issue.

Since Neil died tragically in 2015 (the background) and the Trust was set up, we have organised fundraising events such as ceilidhs, challenges, social evenings and raffles as well as attending local fairs to promote the charity and sell items such as cards, calendars and branded items. We have also had some amazing donations from individuals (known and unknown) as a result of challenges of their own. The charity is run by volunteers and it is our express principle that all money raised in donations should be available to benefit the applicants.

We are grateful to everyone who is and has been involved with The Neil Mackenzie Trust to date, and we would welcome your thoughts, comments and support in the future.