The Public Audit Committee looks at reports published by the Auditor General for Scotland to examine whether public money is being spent efficiently and effectively.
On 10 July 2025, the Auditor General for Scotland published the 2022/23 audit of Lews Castle College.
The report says:
"Lews Castle College and Ceòlas Uibhist Limited entered a partnership in June 2019 to establish a charitable organisation Cnoc Soilleir Ltd (CSL) that promotes the Gaelic language, heritage, music and culture. In 2022/23, the appointed auditor agreed with college management’s intention to recognise the college’s investment in CSL in the college’s financial statements using the equity method, in order to comply with financial accounting standards. The auditor estimated the value of the college’s share at £4.7 million, representing 50 per cent of CSL’s total equity at 31 July 2023. Consolidating CSL into college accounts at this valuation would have increased the net assets of the college by £4.7 million and decreased the in-year deficit by £0.032 million.
College management did not agree with the £4.7 million valuation of its share of CSL. College management impaired the value of its share of CSL to £1 in the financial statements for 2022/23, as the assets of CSL are restricted in nature and they did not expect to receive any future financial benefit from the joint venture. Auditors concluded that this impairment was not compliant with the financial reporting framework".