RABBIE'S founder and chief executive Robin Worsnop says he most admires "people with honesty and integrity, who want to change the world for the better".

What countries have you most enjoyed travelling to, for business or leisure, and why?

My favourite places are always destinations with a rich and diverse culture and history. Singling out anywhere from Spain, Morocco, Turkey or Iran is pretty difficult - all our rich in beautiful landscapes, stunning historic sites, architecture and extremely welcoming people.

When you were a child, what was your ideal job? Why did it appeal?

I wanted to be an architect when I was seven after seeing this fantastic model building.

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I guess I was drawn to it because I was always a big fan of Lego, Airfix models and anything which involved making things with your hands. An architect probably doesn’t get to use his hands much at all though - so maybe that’s why I didn’t follow that up.

What was your biggest break in business?

Meeting a business psychologist who put me straight on loads of things - it changed my approach dramatically and allowed me let go a bit and give my colleagues space to grow themselves.

What was your worst moment in business?

The bank letter telling me our credit card facilities will be getting turned off in six weeks.

I thought I’d have to shut the business down after 10 years hard slog.

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The next six weeks were pretty frantic sorting it out but we got there and that’s all in the past now.

Who do you most admire and why?

People with honesty and integrity, who want to change the world for the better, top the list for me. You ask why - well hopefully they will succeed and that will be better for all of us.

What book are you reading and what music are you listening to? What was the last film you saw?

I’m currently reading A Time of Gifts, Patrick Leigh Fermor’s story of his travels across pre second world war Europe.

I’ve always been a big fan of Bob Marley and the Wailers, and regularly enjoy a bit of Nina Simone and David Bowie on vinyl.

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As a student of history I went to the opening night of David Mackenzie’s Outlaw King at the Filmhouse and really enjoyed it despite the critics - and Scotland is stunning.

CURRICULUM VITAE

  • Robin Worsnop graduated with a history degree from University of Edinburgh in 1990 and had a number of .jobs including dishwashing and painting and decorating.
  • He set up the touring business on February 15, 1993 and within two years had taken on his first two staff, before in 1996 Rabbie's Trail Burners opened its Royal Mile premises in Edinburgh.
  • Mr Worsnop said the city centre premises - sublet from a bureau de change where he set up a celtic travel centre to help pay the rent and operate tours - and that was when he stepped back from driving on tours moved to grow the business organically.
  • He opened his Glasgow office in 2008, and then in 2011 the firm set up in Dublin, touring Ireland, and in 2012 set up in London, touring England and Wales.
  • Inverness was added to the list of bases in 2017 and next year Aberdeen and Manchester will be included.