'We've always been committed to operating tours in small groups, allowing us to sustainably support communities and small businesses.'
- Hazel Rickett CEO
Rabbie’s is thrilled to announce that we are now officially B Corp certified!
At Rabbie’s, our journey is fuelled by curiosity, making our partnership with B Lab™ a great fit. The B Corp movement is dedicated to "changing the rules of the game" by exploring innovative ways to do business—ways that balance profit with purpose and working toward an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. We are proud to join a global community of businesses committed to high standards of social and environmental responsibility.
Since our founding in 1993, Rabbie’s has been guided by a vision to make the world a better place through travel. This vision is woven into the fabric of our core values. By using small vehicles, we can venture off the beaten path and immerse ourselves in local communities. Our tours are designed to share local stories, support small businesses, and stay in intimate accommodations, ensuring that we give back with every journey.
B Corp is a movement to change our economic system to positively impact all stakeholders — workers, communities, customers, and our planet.
We use small mini-coaches to take you further off the beaten track which means our tours help the economies of the little out-of-reach villages and communities. Our mini-coaches are also better for the environment than using your own car or a rental car.
We recognize that exploring the world comes with environmental impacts, particularly in terms of fuel use. While our mini-coaches, carrying 16 passengers, are more fuel-efficient per person compared to individual car travel, there is still a carbon footprint. To help mitigate this, we have implemented a self-imposed carbon tax of £10 per tonne of fuel used across our operations.
These funds are reinvested in the community through donations to projects like; forest regeneration, path-building, and community groups supporting of vulnerable groups. We care deeply about the places we visit, and we are committed to giving back every step of the way.
We also work with locally-owned suppliers meaning the economic benefits positively impact local people.
B Lab™ is the network transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. They began in 2006 with the idea that a different kind of economy was not only possible, it was necessary – and that business could lead the way towards a new, better model.
They became known for certifying B Corporations™, which are companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. But they do much more than that.
B Corp Certification is a designation that shows a business meets high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency. This helps us with decision-making and to consider the interests of everyone involved with our business: workers, customers, communities and the environment.
It’s an opportunity to share our own experiences and learn from other businesses who are part of the B Corp movement. The Rabbie's vision is to make the world a better place through travel, and the B Lab’s ethos is the perfect fit and we are excited to be a part of a global movement that reflects our values.
We recognize that exploring the world comes with environmental impacts, particularly in terms of fuel use. While our mini-coaches, carrying 16 passengers, are more fuel-efficient per person compared to individual car travel, we understand there is still a carbon footprint.
To help mitigate this, we have implemented a self-imposed carbon tax of £10 per tonne of fuel used across our operations. These funds are reinvested in the community through donations to projects like; forest regeneration projects, path-building initiatives, and social and community groups in support of vulnerable groups. We care deeply about the places we visit, and we are committed to giving back every step of the way.
Rabbie’s is also proud to have policies in place that demonstrate respect not only for our environment and community but also for our team and our customers. These values align with the pillars of the B Corp movement, and we are committed to growing our business with a mindful awareness of our impact, striving to be a leading voice in sustainable tourism.
We’re not alone in our love of the landscapes and natural world. There are hundreds of organizations across the UK who work tirelessly to preserve the places we all visit. We support these initiatives via financial donations from our Carbon Tax and as well as giving up our time to get involved. Here are just a few examples of the groups we support.
Staffin Trust - Restoring the paths most trodden
Skye, Scotland’s most recognisable island, a treasured landscape brimming with photo-worthy views, hiding ancient mysteries and more than a few cute Scottish animals.
With its popularity, Skye needs special attention. The Staffin Community Trust work to maintain the frequented paths of the Isle of Skye, and we join them every year to help with this endeavour.
Kin Bees in Fife, Scotland - Making a hive a home
With over 270 species in the UK alone, we admire our fuzzy friends for their ecological importance.
Kin Bees is more than a cluster of hives, it’s an award-winning honey producer dedicated to the conservation of bee populations.
Rabbie’s is now the proud sponsor of our very own beehives.
Moor Trees - Rebuilding historic forests
Dartmoor is home to a unique landscape of woodlands. It was once an area of thick woodland, flourishing with wildlife, but this historic landscape has been altered over the years by human intervention.
Moor Trees work to encourage natural regeneration of native species, restore moorland habitats, and manage semi-natural grazing areas with the help of local farmers.
Social Orchard in London - The orchardist in the city
Mini orchards. Forest gardens. Cityscapes bursting with fruits, herbs, vegetables... it sounds idyllic, doesn’t it?
Social Orchards work to create more green areas within urban spaces, creating climate resilient and self-sustaining ecosystems while also promoting outdoor exercise and community bonding.
This is the full list of groups and organizations which Rabbie's supported in 2023 with fund from our Carbon Tax.
Uigshader Living Forest Project (ULFP) – Isle of Skye
This organisation works to rehabilitate formally industrialised landscape into diverse native woodland by replanting native trees, restoring peat bot, creating pathways, and exploring the possibilities for woodland based livelihoods and activities like; foraging, woodworking and wildlife watching. The goal here is to both create bio-diverse habitats and encourage communities to get out and about and educated about their native living forest. They have already replanted 10,000 native trees in a felled Sitka Spruce plantation – a third of the way to their goal of 30,000 replanted trees!
https://ecologi.com/projects/uigshader
Dunvegan Community Park Project: Dunvegan Community Trust – Isle of Skye
The Dunvegan Community Trust is redeveloping a derelict playpark in the centre of Dunvegan to help combat the social isolation that many residents in NW Skye face. Young people live across a large geographical area so socialising can be difficult, in part because of the lack of recreational facilities for them to use. This park, designed in part by the local children’s suggestions, is within walking distance to the Dunvegan Primary School as well as many local businesses and will provide a safe and enriching environment for both residents and visitors to the community.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/dunvegan-park
Broadford and Strath Community Company – Broadford and Strath area, Isle of Skye
Thinking locally is so important and this project aims to do just that by utilising community gardens, allotments, and pathways to give back to the community. With the help of a community gardener, local spaces will be planted to grow food that can be sourced at pick-your-own days or via donations to the local Community Fridge. At the same time, green spaces (including those around the Broadford Public Toilets) will be maintained and improved with gardens also used to support horticultural therapy groups and outdoor learning projects. It’s a fantastic way to reduce food miles, engage the community and share gardening skills locally.
Portree and Braes Community Trust – Isle of Skye
Building on Rabbie’s previous donation to support path-building to a local community garden space and gazebo, our latest donation will help the Portree and Braes Community Trust to employ a community gardener to maintain community allotments and encourage education projects with the wider community. For example, the local High School will hopefully use the space to visit and learn about growing and the local environment and the group will continue to work with volunteers to bring health and environmental benefits to residents and visitors alike.
Staffin Trust Partnership – Isle of Skye
Many of you will have walked the paths that the Staffin Community Trust work to maintain with just two staff members and a team of volunteers. The path network is directly affected by visitors as well as the heavy rainfall in the area, so our donation aims to support this work. Rabbie’s have also supported this work by sending volunteers to assist with the path maintenance – and aim to do so again this year on upcoming volunteer days. Keep an eye out for updates.
skyeecomuseum.co.uk/why-staffin
Three Hares Woodland – Roslin, Lothian
To encourage more people to walk in the local woodlands, our donation will support the installation of way markers, educational boards, and benches to facilitate quiet enjoyment of the woods (and hopefully wildlife viewing). These projects should allow more people to use the woodland with confidence while being educated about their local surroundings.
Buxton Civic Association – Peak District
Originally planted in the 18th Century, the 9 woods around Buxton continue to reclaim the land which was so affected by industrialisation and quarrying. This local group works to plant native trees and encourage biodiversity which has led to its classification as an SSSI (site of specific scientific interest). Their current project aims to restore and improve pathways and construct steps to increase access and improve safety. Way markers are also being installed to decrease erosion caused by visitors going off path and the installation of boards should help future proof conservation and increase accessibility to the woods.
Tiso Group, Mhor Outdoor and John Muir Trust Partnership
Tiso has partnered with Mhor Outdoor and John Muir Trust to form Connect Outdoors - a charitable educational hiking program with a mission to increase inclusivity in outdoor activities. This program consists of weekly hikes for up to ten adults and is delivered free of charge to individuals who may face barriers to outdoor participation. It helps bring the physical and mental health benefits of the outdoors to a more diverse range of people while also fostering responsible engagement with Scottish wild places.
National Forest Garden Initiative with Social Orchards - Soil Asylum – London
Green space in more urban spaces is also important which is why this project aims to create a network of mini orchards and forest gardens across vacant land that provide edible products like fruit, herbs, and vegetables. Using these spaces in this way helps create climate resilient and self-sustaining ecosystems while also promoting outdoor exercise and community bonding.
www.facebook.com/socialorchards
Scotland: The Big Picture – Cairngorms
Wildlife restoration is an approach that helps create functioning ecosystems that are richer in diversity by rewilding in response to the growing climate crisis. In Scotland, The Big Picture is working projects to return missing woodland species like Aspen, and animal species like beavers, cranes, and lynx to landscapes like the Cairngorms.
Kin Bees – Fife
Rabbie’s has sponsored a beehive with Kin Bees to help actively contribute to the conservation of bee populations and a healthy local ecosystem with lots of active pollinators supporting local plant growth.
Moor Trees – Tree Planting – Dartmoor
The Dartmoor woodlands is also a unique environment and Moor Trees are working to encourage natural regeneration of native species, restore moorland habitats and manage semi-natural grazing areas with the help of local farmers. A wilder Dartmoor benefits the local economy and will hopefully support a more climate-resilient area for wildlife and for the local community.
Trees for Life – Wild Trees Project – Highlands
Since 1993 Trees for Life has been taking ground-breaking approach to land management, looking at rewilding the Scottish Highlands and planning for the climate challenges of the future by supporting resilient and autonomous ecosystems. Not only that, but the rewilding estates that are created are then used to benefit the community by hosting charitable groups through ‘Rewild and Recover.’ This way, individuals facing trauma, displacement, homelessness and/or mental health challenges can experience the healing power of nature.
NTS Tree Planting
Montane Scrub is currently one of the most endangered woodland types in Britain, but at Ben Lawers, the continued planting efforts mean that this habit is being restored and maintained to offer visitors a unique experience of Scottish Biodiversity. Our donation this year will mean 7000 montane willows can be purchased and planted! Rabbie’s volunteers have worked with NTS here for many years and we look forward to a continuing partnership in the future!
support.nts.org.uk/dedicate/tree/ben-lawers
Kilmallie Community Centre – Kilmallie
Many of our Driver Guides out on the road will recognise the Kilmallie Community Centre - most likely as it’s the only public toilet facility after Fort William and before Arisaig! This year we have donated funds to go towards the maintenance and repair costs needed to keep this facility in good shape. The highland infrastructure is under strain as tourist numbers rise so along with our donation, let’s continue to remind passengers to use facilities responsibly.
www.kilmalliecommunitycentre.co.uk
Loch Ness Hub – Loch Ness
Keeping the public toilets in Drumnadrochit open and maintained seven days a week, all year round and free of charge is a community effort, so our donation is put towards the cost of cleaning, stocking and repairing the facilities.
www.visitinvernesslochness.com/listings/loch-ness-hub
Kincardine & Deeside Befriending – Aberdeenshire
Our donation to this group will contribute to the facilitation of regular befriending visits between volunteers and socially isolated or vulnerable older people. This could be just a friendly chat or assistance in accessing shops, cafes or medical services and will always help form a line of connection between the individual and their community. In doing this, many older people can stay in their homes longer and the visits have shown positive impacts on mental health for both the volunteer and the recipient so it’s a win for all involved.
Lagan’s Foundation – Donated Care Project – Bolton & Manchester
Lagan’s Foundation donates 2 hours of Respite Care per week to families that have children under the age of 5 with a heart defect or feeding issues. This type of care takes training which is mentored and learned on a volunteer basis. Donations to this charity support this to enable the volunteer to build relationships with the child and support the whole family.
Feniks – ‘I like Mondays’ – Edinburgh
In partnership with Health All Around, ‘I like Mondays’ is a bi-weekly meeting for Polish and Ukrainian immigrants living in Edinburgh who have barriers to other community participation. It’s a supportive and inclusive environment to share experiences, reduce isolation and build relationships. The club offers refreshments, language support, games and cultural activities that engage with memories of home and newer Scottish traditions.
feniks.org.uk/projects/i-like-mondays
Cammy Shanks Community Foundation – Falkirk
This foundation was opened in the memory of Cameron (Cammy) Shanks who served his community as a police officer and then went on to raise £80,000 for a Cancer Centre after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. This charity raises and distributes funds throughout the local community to those that need help, be it food banks, mobility items, heating for low-income households or to support vulnerable individuals and families diagnosed with serious illness.
Our Second Home – London, Essex, Bristol & Newcastle
Our Second Home is a UK youth movement for refugees and asylum seekers. Donations support peer leadership programs that have been training and supporting displaced young people since 2018. By providing infrastructure and tools they may not have had access to, these young people are supported and will grow in confidence in their new home.
MYPAS (Midlothian Young Peoples Advice Service) – Midlothian
Some young people may find traditional talking therapies like counselling difficult, so MYPAS offers Art Therapy to vulnerable young people aged 12-18 to increase their resilience, self-esteem, confidence, and overall mental health.
Iona Primary School Parent Council – Iona
This year, Rabbie’s has donated money to fund a block of swimming lessons for the local Iona children. The cost of travel to Oban for lessons is difficult for local councils to fundraise for, so we’re proud to support this group and encourage swimming lessons for a safe and fun time in the water!
www.facebook.com/IonaParentCouncil
Beauly Shinty Club – Highlands
Beauly Shiny Club has a strong history of offering Shinty to male community members and now has a goal of creating a Female Shinty Group an adult women’s team (the goal is to have them competing in the Camanachd Association League by 2028) They already have a lot of interest and our support will help fund equipment for competition and remove barriers to women and girls participating in a sport that builds relationship and bonds within the team and between local communities.
shinty.com/beauly-shinty-club-2
Skye Youth Pipe Band – Isle of Skye
Skye Youth Pipe Band and Highland Dancers have been invited to perform at Barga Scottish Weekend in Italy. It’s a huge opportunity for them to share their dance, music, and culture with the people of Barga and to learn about other people and cultures. Our donation will go towards transport costs to help remove barriers and get them on the road!
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance responds, on average, to two time-critical emergency call outs every single day. They are a national charity and receive no statutory government funding, so rely 100% on donations from the public to fuel our life-saving flights across Scotland. They have had 5744 call outs since launching in 2013 and aim to be airborne in 5 minutes after receiving a call.
We care about places and communities we visit on our tours and we want to support them all year round, especially in quieter seasons. Travelling outside of summer time has many benefits.
Support local communities
You'll help boost the economy in smaller communities when they need it most.
Reduce the impact
You lessen the environmental strain on popular destinations allowing them time to recover.
Travel more sustainably
When you explore by coach you reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Have a better experience
You get better value for money and observe how the landscapes change with seasons.
We are encouraging off-peak travel in the aim of reducing the pressures these communities face during the busy summer months.
We are offering 10% off all 1 day trips this autumn and winter.
Simply use the code OFFPEAK10 at checkout to get the discount. T&C apply.
Becoming a B Corp is a rigorous but rewarding process. There are seven steps to become certified which involves being transparent with how we operate and reporting on the impact we have.
Learn more at bcorporation.uk and see our Transparent Disclosure.
It means that you can trust us:
The B Corp community helps and supports Rabbie's to achieve our goals and to continue to improve how we deliver our services to you.