ABERFORTH SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST plc

Board Meeting Notification

Please  be  advised  that the Board of Directors  of  Aberforth  Smaller
Companies  Trust  plc  will  meet on 21 January  2004  to  consider  the
preliminary results and final dividend for the year to 31 December 2003.

It is anticipated that an announcement will be made on 21 January 2004.
Contact - David Holland (Tel: 0131 220 0733)
Aberforth Partners, Secretaries - 15 January 2004

ANNOUNCEMENT ENDS