Scots are more likely to give to charity

But the organisation's research shows people in Northern Ireland are the most generous when it comes to donating to charity.

The CAF research, carried out ahead of a conference in Glasgow on Monday, shows that 30.5% of households in Scotland give to charity.

This compares with 28.7% in England, 26.8% in Wales and 51.6% in Northern Ireland.

Average donation

The CAF is trying to help Scottish charities to increase their voluntary income, by exploring what makes people in different areas of the country give donations.

The researchers found that almost a third of households in Scotland give money to charity every week.

Although more Scots make the effort than those in England, the size of the average donation is slightly smaller.

Their average donation is only �4.93 compared to �5.93 in England and �6.87 in Northern Ireland.

The foundation said charities would benefit more if donors moved away from the culture of giving what they can when they can, to more planned tax-effective giving, like direct debits and standing orders.

Cathy Pharoah, director of research at CAF, said: "The smarter donors are about their giving to charity, the more money those charities will receive.

"Currently the culture of giving in Scotland is for donors to give what they can, when they can.