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Small Group Tours of Scotland: What It Is Really Like on a Rabbie's Tour · UK Travel Planning

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_01: Think a coach term in 50 strangers and a fixed script.
• 0:02
  SPEAKER_01: Rabbi's does things differently.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_01: Today, Doug catches up with Graham, one of their driver guides in Edinburgh, to hear our 16-seater bus and a genuine love of Scotland turn a day trip into something far more personal.
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast.
• 0:17
  SPEAKER_00: Your host is the founder of the UK travel planning website, Tracy Collins.
• 0:21
  SPEAKER_00: Each week, Tracy shares destination guides, travel tips and itinerary ideas, as well as interviews with a variety of guests who share their knowledge and experience of UK travel to help you plan your perfect UK vacation.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_00: Join us as we explore the UK from cosmopolitan cities to quaint villages, from historic castles to beautiful islands, and from the picturesque countryside to seaside towns.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_01: Hi everybody and welcome to this week's edition of the UK Travel Planning Podcast.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_03: And this week you've got me, Doug, in the driving seat instead of Tracy.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_01: That's right, you have.
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_01: I've handed this one over to Doug because it's a topic close to his heart.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_03: It really is.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_03: A while back I went on Rabbby's tour through Northumberland and visiting Annie Castle, and I still talk about it.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_03: You do?
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_03: You absolutely loved that Rabbby's tour, you really did.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_03: So today I'm catching up with Graham, one of Rabbby's driver guys based in Edinburgh, and the very guard who's looked after us on that wonderful day.
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_01: So yeah, we wanted you to hear what a Rabbby's small group tour is really like.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_01: Straight from someone who does it every day.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_01: How the money starts, how the group comes together, and basically just what it's like being on a Rabbby's tour.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_03: So do stick with us right to the very end because we've got something very special for you.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_03: A code for 10% off your own Rabbi's tour when you book through our link in the show notes.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_01: Yep.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_01: So stick around to the end of the episode so we can share that with you.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_01: Now, shall we get into it?
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_03: Yep, let's get started.
• 1:48
  SPEAKER_03: Hello, Graham.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_03: How are you?
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_03: Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast, and thank you so much for agreeing to come on an episode.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_04: Thank you so much.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_04: Welcome, it's good to see you talk.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_03: It's been a while as a senior.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_03: How are things doing?
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_03: Doing okay?
• 2:01
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, absolutely fantastic, mate.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_03: I I still think back fondly of the time I, you know, I spent coming on that tour with you.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_03: Oh, it was brilliant.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_03: It was a great time.
• 2:10
  SPEAKER_03: I know we had a great time.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_03: So for our listeners, just introduce yourself and say a bit about who you are and what you do.
• 2:16
  SPEAKER_04: So, my name is Graham.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_04: Um I'm a driver guide for Ravi's based in Edinburgh.
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_04: So, my job is uh a mixture of driving, storytelling, and looking after a guest like yourself when you came on our tour throughout the whole day.
• 2:31
  SPEAKER_04: And it's absolutely fantastic because it means I can get to take people to some of the most beautiful places in Scotland and England, sharing my history, local legends, and a few personal stories along the way.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_04: And you know, for me, every tour is different because every group is different, and that's one of the things that I most love about my job.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_04: So every day is is a new day, and it's absolutely fantastic.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_03: Well, I I know what a laugh we had.
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_03: I mean, I can I was looking to come out on a tour with we went to Northumberland and Annick Castle, and we said at the time, didn't we?
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_03: It was just like a family day out, but uh and everybody has such a laugh.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_03: But I guess you get that a lot, that reaction, do you?
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_04: We do actually, it really is, and thanks for the compliments, absolutely brilliant.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_04: And um we we did spend the whole day together, which was great, and what's even better, it was uh with a small group from people from all over the world.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_04: Uh so again, when we got there, we all started chatting, uh getting to know each other, and by the end of the day, everybody we did have a great laugh, everybody was laughing and uh swapping travel and sometimes making plans to catch up again.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_04: So it was love to see a complete strange coming to us.
• 3:41
  SPEAKER_04: Absolutely brilliant.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_04: We loved it, it was great.
• 3:43
  SPEAKER_03: We do, we we have kept in touch.
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_03: So hello John Marco, it's you know, a great guy.
• 3:48
  SPEAKER_03: But I just remember when we go back, it was it was all hugs and smiles, and the look on Tracy's face when we got back, it was just amazing.
• 3:59
  SPEAKER_03: So, what what what is a secret formula?
• 4:02
  SPEAKER_03: Don't don't give too many company secrets, but there must be something about Rabbi's way of touring that sort of creates that feeling, that sense of togetherness during the day.
• 4:12
  SPEAKER_04: I think it's a combination of small group experience and the feeling as we have as a driver guide to make it supposed to make the tour very personal.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_04: You're not just listening to a script through the microphone uh or asking questions, uh, and we're discovering places together.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_04: You can also how we say it uh adapt to the group, point out in gems, uh stop at different places, take lots of pictures, share stories together, and that actually brings the whole tour to life.
• 4:39
  SPEAKER_03: It feels much more raw, it's much more authentic.
• 4:43
  SPEAKER_03: I guess from your side, every tour is different.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_03: You might be going to the same location, but because of the dynamics of the group are always changing, you know, no two days are the same, I guess.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_04: Absolutely not.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_04: You know, we do have a scripts that we do tend to stick by.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_04: But that's what the good thing about Brab is because uh we can go where other coaches can't go, we can go lots of different places, lots of stops that uh that we can't make, and it's great to have a few border stops there.
• 5:10
  SPEAKER_04: You just tell them for all the way to something different, and it's it's a great experience, it's a great, it's a great job as well, and I absolutely love it.
• 5:17
  SPEAKER_03: Absolutely brilliant.
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_03: I'll tell you what, it's obvious that you enjoy your job because anyway I'm gonna embarrass you a little bit because uh on that tour, your personal character came out.
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_03: I know you're you're one of many guys, and I can only speak about the actual one who's on with you.
• 5:34
  SPEAKER_03: You're so enthusiastic about your your country for a start, you know, and you know, you're experiencing the stories that you're telling, and it was just absolutely magical, I have to say.
• 5:45
  SPEAKER_03: I have to say.
• 6:03
  SPEAKER_04: It's their first time, and just to go right, go down, and just it's just so personal, it's absolutely amazing.
• 6:09
  SPEAKER_03: Love it so much.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_03: You your passions just come across.
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_03: Right, let's go back to the start of the day.
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_03: So take us right back to the start.
• 6:16
  SPEAKER_03: So, where do people meet you and how does the morning sort of kick off and how does it work for you?
• 6:23
  SPEAKER_04: So, for for us, we usually meet um at our desert pickup, which is now at Everett bus station.
• 6:29
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, uh so I get a chance to uh say hello, uh, get everybody checked in and make sure they're all comfortable before we do head off.
• 6:37
  SPEAKER_04: I like to keep things relaxed uh from the very beginning.
• 6:41
  SPEAKER_04: Uh introduce myself, do we safety check, and we just speak to them about what's happening with the tour, and if they do have any questions or any answers, it's a good opportunity then to get to know each other, where they're from, where the country from, and even why inner s inner Scotland it could be the it might be um the first time here, or it could be a celebrated uh 50th, 20th anniversary like what I had last week.
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_04: I had a family in and I got a wee bottle of champagne for them, and they thought it was absolutely amazing.
• 7:08
  SPEAKER_04: So it's just all these personal touches.
• 7:10
  SPEAKER_04: And again, once you're on board the bus, that's when I start, and it's absolutely amazing.
• 7:15
  SPEAKER_04: Absolutely love it.
• 7:16
  SPEAKER_03: Oh, fantastic.
• 7:17
  SPEAKER_03: Um when you first get to the bus station before you actually arrive, there's a meet and greet uh member of the Rabbi staff as well to say the names and make sure in the right place.
• 7:27
  SPEAKER_04: So, first of all, we do have staff from the head office in Broad Street that do come down, so they sort of check people in, they're the first port of call, and then when I arrive in on my bus, um I come up, speak to the departure team, and make sure that everybody's there on time.
• 7:45
  SPEAKER_04: If they're a wee bit late, that's fine.
• 7:46
  SPEAKER_04: Um happy enough just to wait there as well.
• 7:49
  SPEAKER_04: And then um I board them.
• 7:51
  SPEAKER_04: Uh, we've got a special system that we use for uh checking in and boarding.
• 7:55
  SPEAKER_04: And once you're on board, that's it, we're off to do the actual tour.
• 7:59
  SPEAKER_04: So the check-in staff are fantastic, they're really good as well.
• 8:02
  SPEAKER_03: I I'd agree with you there, because they're the first people we actually meet from Rabbi's face to face, and I can only speak for the one that greeted us, and she was so lovely and friendly and engaging, and it just sort of sets that scene for the for the whole day, I think.
• 8:16
  SPEAKER_03: So tell us about the bus itself, because it's not one of these big 50 odd seaters.
• 8:21
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, so what's it what is it?
• 8:23
  SPEAKER_04: So that's one good thing about Rabbi's.
• 8:25
  SPEAKER_04: Uh we don't use like 50 big seater buses, it only holds 16 people, and so it's a very modern bus rather than a big coach, and it gives a whole experience of more personal feel.
• 8:38
  SPEAKER_04: If everyone has a great view out the window, it's easy to chat to your either your family, your friends, or even new people that's actually there as well.
• 8:45
  SPEAKER_04: And we can reach places that larger coaches that can't go.
• 8:49
  SPEAKER_04: It feels like being on a tour bus, more like uh a road trip out with small friends and family, and that's what we think about rabbit.
• 8:56
  SPEAKER_04: Uh and that's what appealed to me when I first joined as well.
• 8:59
  SPEAKER_04: It was absolutely great.
• 9:00
  SPEAKER_04: Small buses, very personal, fantastic.
• 9:03
  SPEAKER_03: Okay, I see.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_03: So that tapped into your own sort of requirements for an employer because they did tap into that sort of more private, personal experience.
• 9:13
  SPEAKER_03: It was absolutely nice.
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, so um, I've driven 50 seater buses before on a different tour company, and you don't get around to speak to any anybody, and it with rabbits it's great because at the end of the tour, you know them quite well on their background, their jobs, why they're here in Scotland, what they're going to do afterwards.
• 9:31
  SPEAKER_04: So it's a nice family group environment rather than a large 50-seater bus.
• 9:36
  SPEAKER_03: Which is really cool.
• 9:36
  SPEAKER_03: Oh, that's good.
• 9:37
  SPEAKER_03: That's great to hear, that really is.
• 9:39
  SPEAKER_03: So, how many people, what's the sort of maximum numbers are actually on the tour?
• 9:43
  SPEAKER_04: So, how does that yep?
• 9:45
  SPEAKER_04: So, the maximum we can have is 16 people.
• 9:47
  SPEAKER_04: That's it.
• 9:48
  SPEAKER_04: And sometimes the tours that we do on um we actually put on more buses depending on what the demand is.
• 9:56
  SPEAKER_04: For instance, it's like a locking desk tour, it's one of the favourite tours.
• 9:59
  SPEAKER_04: Sometimes we may have seven buses going on the same one tour.
• 10:03
  SPEAKER_04: Wow.
• 10:03
  SPEAKER_04: Uh just it's so popular, and everyone uh enjoys having a smaller size bus and becomes more intimate, more family environment, and more friendly.
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_04: So, yeah, but uh it just depends who wants to attach to the tour, which is good.
• 10:16
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, it it is that the personal experience.
• 10:18
  SPEAKER_03: I mean, even from a uh from a you know um a guest, if you like, you know, being on on board, it's easier to engage with others in a small group than it is in a big coach, coach load.
• 10:30
  SPEAKER_03: So from both sides of the fence, I agree with you there.
• 10:33
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 10:33
  SPEAKER_04: Honestly, so that's what Rabbit does.
• 10:36
  SPEAKER_04: Our tiers are are delivery kept small, which makes a huge difference.
• 10:39
  SPEAKER_04: It didn't feel like a face, an account, or even just a number.
• 10:43
  SPEAKER_04: It feels more relaxed, and you can have a more relaxed pace as well.
• 10:46
  SPEAKER_04: And it gives us the flexibility where possible to spend longer at some stops rather than a big coach can do, and just create a more personal experience.
• 10:56
  SPEAKER_03: It's absolutely great.
• 10:57
  SPEAKER_03: Oh, definitely so.
• 10:59
  SPEAKER_03: And you know, somebody very shy like me, it's like the the the school experience, it's easier to ask a question in a small group than it is in a big coach load of people, which if you're towards the back, you haven't got a chance of being heard, have you?
• 11:11
  SPEAKER_03: Let's be honest.
• 11:12
  SPEAKER_03: No, no, not at all.
• 11:14
  SPEAKER_03: That's lovely.
• 11:15
  SPEAKER_03: So once you're out on the road and you're in your element, you're driving along, how do you mix the storytelling, you know, the scenery and the stops?
• 11:23
  SPEAKER_03: Because you know, you're concentrating on the road, you you know, you've got all these places and you you have this passion for what you do.
• 11:29
  SPEAKER_03: So you know, not just you from a rabbit's point of view, how do you sort of mix that?
• 11:34
  SPEAKER_03: How do you mix that all up?
• 11:35
  SPEAKER_04: So part of our role, yeah, you've got to multitask, you've got not just the responsibility of the passengers, but also other road users, and you've got to sort of keep an eye on the on the road, making sure you abide by all the speed restrictions and everything that goes on as well.
• 11:50
  SPEAKER_04: Um but yeah, it is, and once we set off, the journey itself becomes part of the experience, you know, not just me, but the whole Rabbi's driver team um brings in the landscape life with uh stories and things like that as well.
• 12:06
  SPEAKER_04: And um we just let the scenery speak for itself.
• 12:09
  SPEAKER_04: So it is agreeable.
• 12:11
  SPEAKER_03: In Scotland, there's plenty of that, isn't it?
• 12:13
  SPEAKER_03: There really is.
• 12:14
  SPEAKER_03: No one's a very green foresty country can speak anything about Scotland at all.
• 12:18
  SPEAKER_03: It's absolutely brilliant.
• 12:20
  SPEAKER_03: Oh lovely.
• 12:21
  SPEAKER_03: So, how much time do people get at each stop?
• 12:24
  SPEAKER_03: Can they actually have time to explore, eat, and just wander around?
• 12:29
  SPEAKER_04: So, part of the two script that we've got, uh we build in plenty of time for people to enjoy each location, whether it's running through the village, taking photos, which attraction, even sitting down for for lunch and even coming back on the bus early.
• 12:44
  SPEAKER_04: We sit and have a good old nature, you know what they've seen, what they want to do, and if they enjoyed it as well.
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_03: So that's that's a great thing about it.
• 12:52
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, yeah, which is it is it is fantastic.
• 12:55
  SPEAKER_03: It works out well.
• 12:56
  SPEAKER_03: I have to say, I can imagine all the rabbit stores are the same, but the timings are just the one that we went on.
• 13:01
  SPEAKER_03: I can only speak for that one.
• 13:02
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, the timings were absolutely perfect, even include you know, stops, so toilet stops and things like that, and you know yeah, you've done it more than once, as I'm saying, so you know exactly what to expect.
• 13:15
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, and I said, and sometimes we gauge the stops, so sometimes say it's just a photo stop, it might be five, ten minutes, but depending on how busy it is, you might add a few more minutes so they get the full appreciation and the feel the full time that they're allowed to take something.
• 13:31
  SPEAKER_04: So we just guide it because islands and islands are very, very busy, it's not just rabbis, yeah.
• 13:36
  SPEAKER_04: There's hundreds of there as well.
• 13:38
  SPEAKER_04: So if it's busy, take a few extra minutes, sit down, relax, take some pictures, then just come back on board.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_03: Uh so we just got that degree of flexibility there as well.
• 13:50
  SPEAKER_03: I mean, you keep your eye on the times and things like that.
• 13:52
  SPEAKER_03: So let's talk about the passengers.
• 13:56
  SPEAKER_03: So, where do your passengers come from, and what sort kind of mix do you generally get on a typical tour?
• 14:04
  SPEAKER_04: So, Rabbish welcomes everyone from all over the world.
• 14:07
  SPEAKER_04: Um, so every tier is really an interesting mix of nationalities, different backgrounds.
• 14:13
  SPEAKER_04: Uh, that's one of the good things that makes the experience for us drivers more enjoyable as well.
• 14:18
  SPEAKER_04: Um a few days ago I had a family of 10 uh who were on board, and they eight so they they were from the US and they all met um on the same place, got the plane over and came back.
• 14:30
  SPEAKER_04: Uh so this was their second time.
• 14:32
  SPEAKER_04: They actually got recommended um by their families to go on the Rabbi's tour.
• 14:37
  SPEAKER_04: And um wow, so um they all came, they went, hi, we're here again.
• 14:41
  SPEAKER_04: Went, are you here in a few months?
• 14:43
  SPEAKER_04: So it was absolutely fantastic, absolutely brilliant experience.
• 14:46
  SPEAKER_04: Uh I bet it was.
• 14:49
  SPEAKER_04: Um, Rabbys just doesn't do um the Highlands in Scotland, we also do England, we do Ireland, and also our social company as well.
• 14:58
  SPEAKER_04: And they all come over because everybody loves Scotland.
• 15:00
  SPEAKER_04: We love Scotland, as we can.
• 15:02
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, well, that's it.
• 15:03
  SPEAKER_03: That was one of the things I was going to wow.
• 15:04
  SPEAKER_03: For anybody listening who doesn't know much about Rabbids, have a look at their website, rabbis.com, and you'll see all the different locations across across the UK where Rabbids do operate uh out of.
• 15:16
  SPEAKER_03: So, yeah, and we can definitely recommend them.
• 15:18
  SPEAKER_03: So, tell me about the mix of people that you have.
• 15:21
  SPEAKER_03: Are they just couples or solo travellers?
• 15:23
  SPEAKER_03: You mentioned a group of ten there, so presumably couples and families, but are the older travellers or these mainly first-time visitors to the UK, or how's the mix?
• 15:31
  SPEAKER_03: That's it.
• 15:32
  SPEAKER_04: So it's a real mixture of people.
• 15:34
  SPEAKER_04: We've had uh I've had children uh on board with their mum and dads, uh, we've had couples, we've had people on we've actually had more people on their own traveling around Scotland and and and they've been recommended to go on the Rabbi's tour.
• 15:49
  SPEAKER_04: Um, we have other children, younger children, and we also cater for people who have any sort of disability whatsoever, um which is absolutely fantastic.
• 15:59
  SPEAKER_04: Um, those who've come for the first time, those who've been again and again, or even those who are are here to research their family background because they've got some Scottish connection, because Rabbi is Scottish and the name is Scottish, they come on board with us, it's absolutely great.
• 16:13
  SPEAKER_04: As long as they enjoy the experience, discover new places anybody will fit in, right in and a great Rabbi's tour.
• 16:19
  SPEAKER_04: Absolutely brilliant.
• 16:21
  SPEAKER_03: You know, you've got me hooked, so you know if all the tool guys are like you, anybody's gonna have a fantastic experience.
• 16:31
  SPEAKER_03: Oh, it is, and I have to say, the that enthusiasm usually I keep mentioning this because it cut it came through, and because of your own personal experiences, you know, before you came to Rabbit's, you're incredibly good at engaging people from different countries.
• 16:47
  SPEAKER_03: You're very not the word tolerant, that's not the word I'm aiming for, but you're actually really good at engaging and you're patient with people who are asking questions.
• 16:56
  SPEAKER_03: I I heard you on our group, um, you know, there's no such thing as a daft question if you don't know you know if you don't know the answer.
• 17:04
  SPEAKER_03: So, and you are really good at that.
• 17:06
  SPEAKER_03: And honestly, you're really good at that.
• 17:07
  SPEAKER_03: I imagine across the board, Rabbi is the same.
• 17:10
  SPEAKER_04: It is absolutely because as I say, all our drivers come from different backgrounds, and it's not just the drivers, the people, it's it's the it's the whole team up at the head office, it's operations team, yeah, it's it's even the clean staff who helps support to make sure our buses are clean and ready.
• 17:26
  SPEAKER_04: So it's a whole group uh environment, not just uh it's a it's a team interesting.
• 17:31
  SPEAKER_03: Um I remember you saying before to me actually on the tour, the uh how great the you know top to bottom RAB is is supporting the drivers, and it's all about the the passenger experience.
• 17:43
  SPEAKER_04: It is absolutely because every part of our management team have been a driver, so um we build on their experience and they've been in our shoes.
• 17:53
  SPEAKER_04: So even from um the operations team to the supervisors, even to the managers, have all been a driver guide.
• 18:00
  SPEAKER_04: So it's good to have uh their knowledge, their background, even their enthusiasm as well.
• 18:05
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, it's a great family environment, a good family company, absolutely brilliant.
• 18:09
  SPEAKER_03: Oh, nice one, mate.
• 18:10
  SPEAKER_03: So I mentioned about school trips before, obviously, a bit of an issue about school trips.
• 18:14
  SPEAKER_03: For someone who's a little bit nervous about a group tour, more than it might end up like a school trip.
• 18:20
  SPEAKER_03: You know, what would you tell them?
• 18:21
  SPEAKER_03: What would your message be to them who might might be a little bit nervous?
• 18:26
  SPEAKER_04: Is nervous on their own or can't just go on for the first time.
• 18:30
  SPEAKER_04: Um once they get on board, I go, don't worry about it.
• 18:33
  SPEAKER_04: Our tours are small, they're relaxed, they're informal, there's no pressure to stick uh with the group every bit of the time.
• 18:42
  SPEAKER_04: You have free time to explore on your own, and our guides create a friendly atmosphere without making it overly structured.
• 18:51
  SPEAKER_04: So we tend to know who's on their own.
• 18:53
  SPEAKER_04: If because sometimes um their language barrier can be a bit of an issue as as as well.
• 18:59
  SPEAKER_04: So we do get around that, we sit with them, and we just go, it's gonna be fine.
• 19:03
  SPEAKER_04: You'll enjoy the tour.
• 19:04
  SPEAKER_04: If you need any questions or any answers, just let us know.
• 19:08
  SPEAKER_04: And because a lot of the times on on my tier go, Graham, you said a package bus, yeah, I've got to do for you.
• 19:13
  SPEAKER_04: What about this?
• 19:13
  SPEAKER_04: What about that?
• 19:14
  SPEAKER_04: It's it's good.
• 19:15
  SPEAKER_04: So we do um tend to make people who are on and also drink as well.
• 19:19
  SPEAKER_04: It's very relaxed, it's very informal, it's not very strict or rigid.
• 19:23
  SPEAKER_04: And that's how our tours should be quite like that, and that's how we get uh people to enjoy themselves or sit near uh you sat on the jump seat next to me as well, so sometimes it's very derived seat.
• 19:37
  SPEAKER_04: Come sit next to me, we'll have a good old natural, a good little chat on your way to our next stop on natural tours.
• 19:42
  SPEAKER_04: That's one good way of breaking ice as well.
• 19:44
  SPEAKER_03: So feel good.
• 19:45
  SPEAKER_03: Oh, it's really good.
• 19:46
  SPEAKER_03: And I have to bring that point up because I can get uh motion sickness in a in a car on a bus.
• 19:52
  SPEAKER_03: And yes, I did stand at the front there, and you were really, really kind and you really, really understanding, as was everybody else on board as well.
• 19:59
  SPEAKER_03: So, yeah, and you know, I'm grateful to that.
• 20:02
  SPEAKER_03: And it's that engagement that you have you had with everybody on board, which really shone through through the whole day.
• 20:09
  SPEAKER_03: So I can really, really uh appreciate is everything you're saying because I've had first hand experience.
• 20:14
  SPEAKER_03: So thank you.
• 20:15
  SPEAKER_03: Nice one, Grail.
• 20:16
  SPEAKER_03: Nice one.
• 20:16
  SPEAKER_03: So let's talk about the tours themselves then, Graham.
• 20:19
  SPEAKER_03: You're based out of Edinburgh.
• 20:21
  SPEAKER_03: What are the big ones that people book from their highlands, Loch Ness, Northumberland?
• 20:26
  SPEAKER_04: So the Highlands and Loch Ness are always uh incredibly popular, they're always booked out once even a year in advance.
• 20:33
  SPEAKER_04: So we know we have about seven buses that go up to Loch Ness.
• 20:37
  SPEAKER_04: Every single bus is always full.
• 20:39
  SPEAKER_04: It is a great experience because people want to uh come to Scotland, they want to see the Highlands, they want to see expression the Highland coups, the Highland Cows, they want to see the case.
• 20:49
  SPEAKER_04: I've gone um uh Loch Roman tear of yesterday, and as soon as he came on board the bus, he says, Graham look, yeah, is it Highland Cows on this trip?
• 20:58
  SPEAKER_04: I was like, No, but we might do a wee special stop for you down at Kilmahog, and they were delighted.
• 21:05
  SPEAKER_04: They were there as a family of four, and um the first thing he says was it's the Highland cows, yeah, we'll go and see them.
• 21:10
  SPEAKER_04: And um they managed to get uh features from that as they feed them, and that just made their day.
• 21:16
  SPEAKER_04: Okay, the tour was fantastic too.
• 21:18
  SPEAKER_04: Um, but that's what they were there for is to see the highland cows.
• 21:21
  SPEAKER_04: They've never seen Highland cows before and it's not yeah, the Lochlands and the Highlands, uh especially Sky as well, um, are very popular, popular tours.
• 21:30
  SPEAKER_04: All our tours are actually busy, even from um the tour that we were done down to Anne Castle, the whiskey tours, um um uh St.
• 21:39
  SPEAKER_04: Andrews, it's all busy because everybody has had a good experience and a good recommendation from Rabbi's and they all want to to come in our tours.
• 21:48
  SPEAKER_03: So it's like and the returning customers.
• 21:50
  SPEAKER_03: That's that's a real mark for any company, it really is.
• 21:54
  SPEAKER_03: So let's talk about the multi day tours.
• 21:56
  SPEAKER_03: So, what sort of multi-day tours are out there?
• 21:59
  SPEAKER_03: Uh out Well, to read them within the subwellers.
• 22:02
  SPEAKER_04: Mabys is really good for the multi-day tours.
• 22:05
  SPEAKER_04: So we offer a wide range of tours, can be from a two-day escape to longer journeys, exploring places like Isle Sky.
• 22:14
  SPEAKER_04: We do a two-day desk tour as well.
• 22:16
  SPEAKER_04: And um and it's also a very, very popular people do come in, but it can be a two, I think it's uh four and a five-day tours, and with them is the same guide, and the guide has got knowledge and information, and for those tours, we're able to pre-book accommodation for them.
• 22:36
  SPEAKER_04: So that's what the the head office team does as as well.
• 22:40
  SPEAKER_04: And we have multi-stops um at all these different locations, and it's absolutely fantastic that what Rabbi does.
• 22:47
  SPEAKER_04: So they're there are multi-day tours as I think a sellout.
• 22:51
  SPEAKER_04: It's so popular, and it's great because people get to know other people on board the bus more intimately, it's more friendly, and at the end of the day, just like us, they get to know each other, they stay friends, they keep in touch with some of the driver guides, and they get to know people from all over the world.
• 23:07
  SPEAKER_04: And it's a passion that what Rapids has are multi-day tours, especially Sky.
• 23:11
  SPEAKER_04: Definitely go and do the multi-day sky tour.
• 23:14
  SPEAKER_04: Even the 2D next tour, brilliant, fantastic, definitely recommend it.
• 23:17
  SPEAKER_04: Absolutely.
• 23:18
  SPEAKER_04: I'm gonna have to come back, aren't I?
• 23:19
  SPEAKER_03: I am, I'm gonna have to come back.
• 23:22
  SPEAKER_04: Come back, absolutely.
• 23:24
  SPEAKER_03: So let's talk about just Graham's favourites then.
• 23:28
  SPEAKER_03: So, you know, you must have a personal favorite tour.
• 23:32
  SPEAKER_04: Oh, my favorite tour.
• 23:34
  SPEAKER_04: Um, that's a hard question because um I don't do multi-tours at the moment because I'm just quite new to Rabbi, so I only do single-day tours.
• 23:42
  SPEAKER_04: Um I do love the Loch Nest tour, um, just because we uh we put so much into that tour, and there's so many stops that we can do um from uh starting off, even at going to counter at the bottom of the of the Hell Foods, and then we do make a good solid dance about Rivera almost at the Hell Foods.
• 24:06
  SPEAKER_04: We're gonna count down from three, two, one, and there's a bigger rain, things like that sort of thing.
• 24:13
  SPEAKER_04: Going up towards Glenco.
• 24:14
  SPEAKER_04: Glencoe, as you know, it's one of the most autographed places I would say in the whole of the whole of the world.
• 24:21
  SPEAKER_04: Has to be the whole of the world.
• 24:22
  SPEAKER_04: Glencoe is amazing.
• 24:23
  SPEAKER_04: Then all the way up to the Loch Ness, the Loch Ness creature, and we do make a good story about that as well, about its background, and do some funny stories.
• 24:32
  SPEAKER_04: And we always say, you know, if you ever see Loch Ness, National Geographic will pay you two pounds so every cranes are and it's it is it's something that is a fantastic card.
• 24:43
  SPEAKER_04: We also love Harry Potter, so going down to Attic Tassel is absolutely amazing.
• 24:48
  SPEAKER_04: And I do say to him, You've got to try the the the witch's broomstick training.
• 24:53
  SPEAKER_04: Let me know how it gets on.
• 24:54
  SPEAKER_04: And even to the stage one or two, and it's absolutely amazing.
• 24:59
  SPEAKER_04: So those tours, but all the tours that that we do are fantastic because we put so much uh of our own personality into the tours, uh just so much information.
• 25:08
  SPEAKER_04: So I actually got told uh on many occasions, Graham, you talk too much, which is we don't just talk, we also put in some music in the background as well that ties in with all of our stops on all of our tours as well.
• 25:25
  SPEAKER_04: So again, it's not just talking, it's the music in the background and just general knowledge.
• 25:30
  SPEAKER_04: Absolutely fantastic, absolutely brilliant.
• 25:32
  SPEAKER_03: That's nice for that.
• 25:33
  SPEAKER_03: Uh one thing I get again, I'm gonna hop back onto the one I came on.
• 25:37
  SPEAKER_03: What talent that you have?
• 25:39
  SPEAKER_03: It yes, you find that right balance of tour, but you actually give other people a chance to talk as well about themselves, which was really, really engaging.
• 25:48
  SPEAKER_03: I thought was an interesting point.
• 25:50
  SPEAKER_04: And that makes it a much personal, intimate tier.
• 25:52
  SPEAKER_04: It's not just about me talking about because I can talk for Scotland, as you know, I can talk non-stop, but it's good to have their backgrounds and their knowledge and so because some people probably know things that I don't know.
• 26:04
  SPEAKER_04: Uh, you know, I'm not perfect, I don't have a brain full of knowledge of the whole Scotland, but other people do, and it's good that they engage as well.
• 26:11
  SPEAKER_04: It's like, do you know what this game?
• 26:12
  SPEAKER_04: Oh, I didn't know that.
• 26:13
  SPEAKER_04: Tell me more about that, and everybody feeds off everybody else on board our chair, so it's absolutely brilliant, really, really good.
• 26:20
  SPEAKER_03: So you even give me a chance to tour, didn't you?
• 26:22
  SPEAKER_03: You had me talking to the group, which is interesting.
• 26:27
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, but you mentioned those stops, but across the all the tours that you do, is there one particular stop?
• 26:33
  SPEAKER_03: I mean, you mentioned Glencoe, obviously, and that goes without saying, yeah, but not necessarily just there.
• 26:38
  SPEAKER_03: Is there one stop or uh a view or reaction you never ever get tired of?
• 26:43
  SPEAKER_03: Do you want to how many times you stop there?
• 26:45
  SPEAKER_04: It has to be the locks in Scones.
• 26:47
  SPEAKER_04: Actually, we got over 32,000 locks in Scone.
• 26:50
  SPEAKER_04: So when I'm on a tour, I say to people, right, how many locks do we have in Scone?
• 26:55
  SPEAKER_04: Some people say one, higher, two, hi, come on, yeah, and I say any of over 32,000 locks, and every lock is different, it's unique, it's got its own personality.
• 27:06
  SPEAKER_04: And we do make a stop uh right at the Hillfoots and going into the highlands called Loch Lubnik, and we actually make a stop there on the Loch Next Tour, and you get right onto the water's front, and you actually you can actually touch the water, it is amazing.
• 27:21
  SPEAKER_04: It doesn't matter if it's uh a dirich mergeable day or if it's wet, pouring the rain, or beautiful sunshine, it changes the dynamics of the loch and what what you see.
• 27:32
  SPEAKER_04: So every single lock is fantastic.
• 27:34
  SPEAKER_04: I could stand there for ages and just look at the at the water all day and get a good mind, a good focus, and it's also yeah, locks are amazing, absolutely amazing.
• 27:44
  SPEAKER_03: Oh wonderful, nice one.
• 27:46
  SPEAKER_03: Now then, just to sort of wrap things up, is there any tips you can offer for anybody who actually you know have doubts, but sort of considering the rabbit's tour, what would you say to them?
• 27:58
  SPEAKER_04: Um come with an open mind, 100%, and be prepared for all kinds of weather.
• 28:04
  SPEAKER_04: Uh down in the central world or the lowlands, weather can be so different to the highlands and up to the islands as well.
• 28:11
  SPEAKER_04: So some of the best moments are the unexpected ones for them.
• 28:14
  SPEAKER_04: So it's just enjoy the journey, enjoy the destination, and uh and just get involved and engage.
• 28:21
  SPEAKER_04: It's absolutely fantastic, absolutely brilliant.
• 28:23
  SPEAKER_03: Oh your enthusiasm about me, just so you really are.
• 28:29
  SPEAKER_02: My office is great.
• 28:31
  SPEAKER_03: Absolutely great.
• 28:32
  SPEAKER_03: So, what should people bring with them actually on the day?
• 28:35
  SPEAKER_03: Ben and Mar, we're talking cross seasons here.
• 28:37
  SPEAKER_04: What yeah, so definitely comfortable shoes is a must, and a waterproof jacket.
• 28:43
  SPEAKER_04: Definitely your phone and your camera.
• 28:46
  SPEAKER_04: So, what I do say to people is that um they'll be taking so many photographs, so many pictures that if the battery dies out, Ravis does have pretty much on all of their buses charging points, so they can charge their phone as well.
• 28:59
  SPEAKER_04: But I also take extra battery power banks with me.
• 29:02
  SPEAKER_04: So should anything happen, I would say I've got two battery packs, you can charge your phone, so I guarantee your phone battery will die because you take so much pictures.
• 29:10
  SPEAKER_04: And also, yeah, because our weather changes dramatically from from in Edinburgh all the way up to the Highlands and Islands, so definitely comfortable shoes, warm jacket, your phone, and lots of layers again, because it does get warm as well.
• 29:25
  SPEAKER_04: At least you can take layers off, not just one big thick jumper, and it's a good idea for whatever it is, just go with the season, go with the flow.
• 29:33
  SPEAKER_04: Absolutely brilliant.
• 29:33
  SPEAKER_03: Go nice one.
• 29:35
  SPEAKER_03: So, what's the one tip you'd share with anyone booking their very first Rabbi's tour?
• 29:40
  SPEAKER_04: Oh, the tip, um I would say choose the tour that generally excites you rather than trying to fit everything in in one day.
• 29:50
  SPEAKER_04: So pick a tour that you want to go on, you want to see this, you want to see the locks, you want to see the Highland Cows.
• 29:55
  SPEAKER_04: No, Scotland will always give you a reason to come back, and it has happened.
• 30:00
  SPEAKER_04: We've had people who've come back many times because they've not seen everything that they want to actually see.
• 30:04
  SPEAKER_04: So, yes, choose the tour that you want to go on that you want that you that you want to get the most out of, and and uh we'll do our best to engage in you and make it feel passionate, homely, and inviting.
• 30:15
  SPEAKER_04: Absolutely brilliant.
• 30:16
  SPEAKER_03: Wonderful.
• 30:17
  SPEAKER_03: I mean, I'll go again tomorrow without question if I and the day after that, and the day after that.
• 30:21
  SPEAKER_03: That's that's not a problem.
• 30:23
  SPEAKER_03: So tell me where do where do people find uh the Rabbi's tours in?
• 30:27
  SPEAKER_04: So it does Rabbi's has their own website, so you can browse all of our day trips, multi-day tours, check availability, and you can book online through the Rabbi's website.
• 30:40
  SPEAKER_04: You'll find plenty of inspiration there, and when you visit Scotland for the first time, uh, or when you're returning or exploring somewhere new.
• 30:48
  SPEAKER_04: So definitely their website is the best place to go, book and find out about what the tours are are all about, and you also get to meet some of our guides, have their pictures on the website as well, so you get to know a little bit about our background and also our history as well.
• 31:03
  SPEAKER_04: So, definitely go and explore the website, it's the best way to book your tour.
• 31:07
  SPEAKER_03: And if you're on a tour, you will not be disappointed.
• 31:09
  SPEAKER_03: I can tell you that.
• 31:11
  SPEAKER_03: It's been absolutely fantastic.
• 31:14
  SPEAKER_03: Thank you so much for that with mate.
• 31:17
  SPEAKER_03: It's just the same as on that tour.
• 31:19
  SPEAKER_03: It's just like talking to a mate, it really is.
• 31:22
  SPEAKER_03: So thank you so much for coming on.
• 31:24
  SPEAKER_04: And can we catch up with you again and enjoy Texas Africa?
• 31:28
  SPEAKER_04: When you do come back to England, you know where I am.
• 31:30
  SPEAKER_04: You're more than welcome to come up, meet the family, get back on it to it again.
• 31:33
  SPEAKER_04: You and Tracy are more than welcome.
• 31:35
  SPEAKER_03: Bless you.
• 31:36
  SPEAKER_03: Thank you very much, Girl.
• 31:38
  SPEAKER_04: Doug, nice to see you.
• 31:39
  SPEAKER_04: Thanks very much.
• 31:40
  SPEAKER_01: Thanks, Graham, so much for coming and chatting to Doug and sharing all about uh Rabbi's tours.
• 31:46
  SPEAKER_01: Now, if listening to Doug and Graham has you dreaming about hopping on a small coach through the Highlands, you'll find everything mentioned today, including how to book with Rabbi's, over in the show notes at uktravelplanning.com forward slash episode 213.
• 32:00
  SPEAKER_01: Now, as promised, here's your 10% off code.
• 32:03
  SPEAKER_01: Use the code UKTP10 and book through our link in the show notes.
• 32:09
  SPEAKER_01: You'll find those in the show notes.
• 32:10
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and you'll need both the code and the link for the discount to apply.
• 32:14
  SPEAKER_01: So head there to grab it.
• 32:15
  SPEAKER_01: Now, if you're planning your own UK trip and have a question, do leave me a voice message through Speakpipe.
• 32:22
  SPEAKER_01: And if you enjoyed this one, please share it with someone who's dreaming of Scotland.
• 32:25
  SPEAKER_01: Until next week, happy UK travel planning.
• 32:30
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of the UK Travel Planning Podcast.
• 32:35
  SPEAKER_01: As always, show notes can be found at uktravelplanning.com.
• 32:39
  SPEAKER_01: If you've enjoyed the show, why not leave us feedback via text or a review on your favourite podcast app?
• 32:45
  SPEAKER_01: We love to hear from you, and you never know, you may receive a shout out in a future episode.
• 32:50
  SPEAKER_01: But as always, that just leaves me to say until next week, happy UK travel planning.