Scottish Bible Society

What Scottish Bible Society does

Scottish Bible Society is a registered Scottish charity (SC010767) founded in 1809 and headquartered at 7 Hampton Terrace, Edinburgh. It is a founding member of United Bible Societies, a global fellowship providing access to Bible translation and distribution in over 1,600 languages. The organization creates, publishes, and distributes a broad portfolio of Bible resources spanning physical books, digital downloads, films, podcasts, audio dramas, and training curricula. Its core technology is the NIrV (New International Reader's Version) translation adapted for children, young people, and ESL readers, alongside modern Scottish Gaelic New Testament translations targeting younger Gaelic speakers with contemporary vocabulary. Key product lines include illustrated youth resources by Jason Ramasami (Joseph and the Triumph of Grace, Dear Theo, Letters for Life), the bilingual Gaelic/English An Tiomnadh Nuadh, and educational materials aligned with Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence.

The organization operates a hybrid revenue model combining charitable donations and product sales. Donations are sourced through monthly subscription tiers (£5, £10, £20, £40) and one-time gifts (£25, £50, £75, £100), with Gift Aid available for UK taxpayers. Product sales flow through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce shop at scottishbiblesociety.org with tiered bulk pricing for churches and schools (e.g., Gaelic New Testament at £12 down to £3.50 at 20+ units; illustrated Gospel of Mark from £10 down to £5 at 10+ units), plus free digital downloads to drive top-of-funnel engagement. Go-to-market combines community-led distribution via volunteer church representatives and action groups with direct engagement of schools, youth groups, and families.

Scottish Bible Society serves a hybrid customer base of churches, schools, children and youth, Gaelic-speaking communities, families, and international partner communities (Ukraine, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, Bangladesh, Argentina, Cambodia). It has built specialist capabilities in trauma healing training, accessible-format Scripture production (Braille, audio, large print for oral learners and visually impaired), and Bible engagement research including the 2025 Patmos World Bible Attitudes Survey and Scotland's Quiet Revival studies. The organization has no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no venture backing; it is governed by trustees and accountable to the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

Name

Scottish Bible Society

Legal name

Scottish Bible Society

Website

https://scottishbiblesociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1809

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Scottish Bible Society is a registered Scottish charity founded in 1809 that creates, translates, and distributes Bible resources, including NIrV easy-read editions, modern Scottish Gaelic translations, illustrated youth materials, and trauma healing programs, serving churches, schools, families, Gaelic speakers, and international partner communities worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Publishing

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Sacred Texts & Scripture Publishing (Bibles, Qur’ans, Vedas, Torah, Sutras) (MPAJAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC), Worship & Liturgy Publishing (Liturgical Texts, Missals, Service Books, Hymnals) (MPAJAHAE)

Keywords

• Bible publishing
• Religious resources
• Scripture translation
• Christian education
• Charitable publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Appeals: Charitable donations from supporters, including one-time and monthly giving options. Gift Aid scheme for UK taxpayers increases donation value. Various themed appeals such as Bread of Life Appeal and A Waiting World Appeal targeting specific international projects.
2. Product Sales: Sale of Bible resources, books, and publications through e-commerce shop. Tiered bulk pricing for churches and schools. Digital downloads of free resources alongside paid physical products.
3. Trauma Healing Programs: Training and resources for trauma healing in Scotland, potentially with associated program fees or funded through charitable donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Scottish Bible Society is a registered Scottish charity that publishes, distributes, and translates Bible resources in physical and digital formats, including books, illustrated comics, audio/dramatized content, and digital faith-engagement courses. It also provides training programs, educational materials, and engagement resources for churches, schools, families, and individuals in Scotland and globally through its United Bible Societies network.

Product overview

Scottish Bible Society operates as a Bible publishing and distribution organization that creates and sells a comprehensive portfolio of Bible-related products and resources. The portfolio spans physical books (bibles, study materials, illustrated Gospel adaptations), digital resources (downloadable curricula, lesson plans, service outlines), media content (films, animations, podcasts), and research publications. Key product lines include easy-to-read NIrV Bible translations for children and young people (Joseph and the Triumph of Grace, Dear Theo, Matthew: The Kingdom Is Here, Letters for Life), Gaelic language resources (An Tiomnadh Nuadh, Soisgeul Eoin), educational materials for schools and churches (Must Know Bible Stories series, Grace Gatherings, Adventures With Mark), outdoor learning resources (Wonder Walks, Bags of Discovery, Easter Outdoors), trauma healing training, and international partnership support materials. The organization also conducts and publishes Bible engagement research (Patmos World Bible Attitudes Survey, Scotland's Quiet Revival) and maintains supporter engagement through Transform Magazine.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Joseph and the Triumph of Grace Bible study book on the story of Joseph, sold through the Scottish Bible Society shop for personal study, small groups, and congregational use.
• Dear Theo Book resource for churches, families, and small groups, accompanied by free digital conversation guides covering Luke, Acts, and intergenerational use.
• Matthew: The Kingdom Is Here Bible study book on the Gospel of Matthew, sold through the Scottish Bible Society shop for personal study, small groups, and congregational use.
• Letters for Life: Paul's Letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians Bible study book on Paul's letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, sold through the Scottish Bible Society shop for personal study and small-group use.
• The Story of Jesus: An Illustrated Gospel of Mark Illustrated comic-style edition of the Gospel of Mark, designed for children and visual learners, sold through the Scottish Bible Society shop and available as a bundle.
• Wonder Walks - Gospel of Mark Walk-through study of the Gospel of Mark, sold through the Scottish Bible Society shop for personal study and small groups.
• An Tiomnadh Nuadh - Gaelic/English New Testament Bilingual Gaelic/English New Testament, sold through the Scottish Bible Society shop with international shipping available for Gaelic-speaking communities in Scotland and the global diaspora.
• Soisgeul Eoin - Gospel of John (Gaelic) Gaelic-language edition of the Gospel of John, sold through the Scottish Bible Society shop for Gaelic-speaking individuals and churches.
• Luke: The Light Inside Bible study book on the Gospel of Luke, sold through the Scottish Bible Society shop for personal study and small groups.
• Hope To Change The World Book resource, sold through the Scottish Bible Society shop for personal reading and small-group use.
• Illustrated Gospel of Mark Bundle Bundled illustrated Gospel of Mark resources, sold through the Scottish Bible Society shop for churches, schools, and families.
• Prize-giving Bundle Bundled Bible-based resources for school prize-giving, sold through the Scottish Bible Society shop to schools and educators.
• Field Guide to the Bible Course Free digital course, available as a download from the Scottish Bible Society website for individuals and small groups.
• Grace Gatherings Free digital resource, available as a download from the Scottish Bible Society website for churches and small groups.
• Dear Theo - Luke Conversations Free digital conversation guide on the Gospel of Luke, available as a download from the Scottish Bible Society website for churches, families, and small groups.
• Dear Theo - Acts Conversations Free digital conversation guide on the Acts of the Apostles, available as a download from the Scottish Bible Society website for churches, families, and small groups.
• Dear Theo - Intergenerational Events Free digital intergenerational event outlines, available as a download from the Scottish Bible Society website for churches and families.
• Must Know Bible Stories Series Free digital series of Bible stories, available as a download from the Scottish Bible Society website for children, families, and Sunday schools.
• Adventures With Mark Free digital resource accompanying the Gospel of Mark, available as a download from the Scottish Bible Society website for children and families.
• Make-Your-Own Bags of Discovery Free downloadable craft resource for children, available as a download from the Scottish Bible Society website for families, Sunday schools, and primary schools.
• Community Bible Experience Free digital Bible engagement program, available as a download from the Scottish Bible Society website for churches and small groups.
• Trauma Healing Training Training program offered by the Scottish Bible Society for churches and ministry leaders to support trauma-informed pastoral care.
• Bibles for Bairns Children's Bible engagement program offered by the Scottish Bible Society, providing Bible resources and engagement for children, families, and primary schools.
• Gaelic Bible Resources Range of Gaelic-language Bible resources and translations provided by the Scottish Bible Society for Gaelic-speaking individuals, churches, and cultural communities in Scotland and the global diaspora.
• Bible Sunday Resources Annual Bible Sunday resources provided by the Scottish Bible Society for churches, supporting congregational engagement around Bible Sunday.
• Share the Bible Films Series of films produced by the Scottish Bible Society to share the Bible, available for churches and individuals to use in engagement and outreach.
• Podcasts and Audio Bible Drama Audio content produced by the Scottish Bible Society, including podcasts and dramatized Bible readings, available for individuals and churches to engage with Scripture.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,432 language groups still waiting for Scripture translation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United Bible SocietiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScottish Bible Society is a founding member of United Bible Societies, a global fellowship of Bible Societies working together to translate, produce, and distribute the Bible worldwide. This partnership enables access to Bible translation and distribution in over 1,600 languages and collaboration on international projects.
• Bible Society of UkraineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting the Bible Society of Ukraine's work during wartime, with articles featured in Transform Magazine Spring 2025 documenting trauma healing and Bible distribution efforts in Ukraine.
• Bible Society of GuatemalaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Bible Society of Guatemala to produce specialized biblical materials for children with Down syndrome and other accessible resources for Guatemalan communities.
• Bible Society in HaitiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Bible distribution and 'The Family Bible in 100 Steps' program in Haiti, bringing Scripture to children in areas of social unrest.
• Bible Society of NicaraguaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Bible translation and distribution for Mayangna and Miskitu language communities in Nicaragua, including first Bible in Mayangna language.
• Bible Society of BangladeshminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting End2End Bible listening project and audio Bible distribution for widows and rural communities in Bangladesh.
• Bible Society of ArgentinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Braille Bible production and distribution for visually impaired individuals in Argentina.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Scripture Union: UK charity providing Bible-based resources for schools, children, and youth with strong educational distribution. Highly comparable to SBS's Must Know Bible Stories and youth product lines.
• SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge): UK religious publisher producing books, study guides, and Christian education materials. Comparable as a publisher of ministry and education resources for the UK church and school market.
• Biblica: Publisher of the NIV and easy-read translations with significant Bible resource, church, and education distribution. Competes directly in English-language Bible publishing and youth engagement products.
• American Bible Society: Largest US-based Bible society and fellow UBS member with similar translation, publishing, and engagement programs (including state-of-Bible research). Comparable product portfolio across print, digital, audio, and trauma healing.
• Bible Society (UK): Direct UK peer operating under the same United Bible Societies umbrella, publishing Bibles and resources, running translation projects, and engaging schools and churches. Closest comparable in mission, product mix, and distribution model.
• Wycliffe Bible Translators: Global Bible translation organization focused on language communities without Scripture, overlapping on translation projects and international partnerships. Operates as a charity with donor-driven revenue similar to SBS.

Broad incumbents

• Tyndale House Publishers: Major commercial Christian publisher producing Bibles, study Bibles, and ministry resources at global scale. Comparable product type but operates as a profit-driven broader publisher rather than a charity.
• World Vision UK: Large UK-facing international charity running donor-funded partnerships, child sponsorship, and advocacy. Comparable in operating model (donor-led, Gift Aid, recurring giving) and international partner programs.
• HarperCollins Christian Publishing: Global publisher of Bibles, study materials, and Christian books. Overlaps with SBS on illustrated Gospel books and accessible translations but at vastly larger commercial scale.

Regional players

• Bible Society of Australia: Australian Bible society and UBS member providing equivalent mission, product range, and donor model within a different geographic market. Useful as a regional scale benchmark for SBS operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/scottishbiblesociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/scottishbiblesociety
• Instagraminstagram.com/scottishbiblesociety
• Xx.com/scottishbible

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scottish Bible Society