Rabbie’s Trail Burners Ltd, the UK's leading operator of small group tours, is adding to its fleet following a £2.439m finance from Royal Bank of Scotland and Lombard.
Founded in 1993 and based in Edinburgh, Rabbie’s offers a range of tours across the UK Ireland and Europe, providing guaranteed departures from major cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, London, Manchester, Dublin and some of Italy’s most picturesque tourist spots. The company has built a reputation for its small group , off-the-beaten-track tours, and the new funding will allow Rabbie’s to invest in 22 state-of-the-art EVM coaches, replacing older vehicles and increasing fleet capacity just in time for the busy summer months. EVM UK is a leading specialist sales and after-sales agent for minibuses in the UK, providing industry-leading sales expertise, after-sales care and guidance.
Alongside its expansion plans, Rabbie’s has made significant strides in supporting local communities and sustainability initiatives. Travellers can reduce their carbon footprint by 63% by choosing a small-group tour, while the company’s self-imposed Carbon Tax has already raised over £120,000 for community and environmental projects across its destinations. The new fleet of coaches will build on this commitment and further support these efforts.
With these new coaches adding a net 8 vehicles to the Rabbie’s fleet, the funding will support the business in broadening its product offering. As Rabbie’s continues to scale up, the business sees expansion into Europe as a promising growth opportunity, with plans to evolve services and further invest in its brand.
With tours ranging from 1 to 16 days, Rabbie’s offers to a broad range of options for travellers. Their small, intimate coaches provide a more personalised experience, allowing customers to enjoy routes other large-scale bus tours cannot provide.
Fraser Robertson, Chief Financial Officer at Rabbie’s Trail Burners Ltd, said: "At Rabbie’s our focus has always been on providing memorable experiences while supporting local communities and promoting sustainable travel. It’s great to have the continued support and guidance of Royal Bank of Scotland as we utilise this investment to meet the increasing demand for our tours with travellers from across the globe.
Angus Johnstone, Relationship Director at Royal Bank of Scotland, commented: "Rabbie’s Trail Burners is a shining example of a company that combines business success with a strong commitment to sustainability and community support. We are proud to support their expansion with and look forward to seeing them continue to grow and make a positive impact."
Steven Gillies, Senior Relationship Manager at Lombard, added: “It is both the business model and ambition of Rabbie’s that we have been keen to support. It is a business that continues to make strides in the sector and we are happy to play our part to support its expansion.”