Trevor Jones works for Edinburgh-based Art in Healthcare. The charity lends original artworks to hospitals all over Scotland. Last week they received a call from Dr McKinnon’s Memorial Hospital on the Isle of Skye. “The hospital wanted to return some pictures to us as their loan period had ended,” explained Jones. “I was facing a round trip of almost 500 miles and being away from work for two days to collect them, or the hospital was going to have to pay a lot for a courier. It was a long way to go to collect four pictures, so I sent out an SOS on Twitter.”
Almost immediately Rabbie’s Tours, who run small bus tours all over Scotland, had replied. “Rabbie's Trail Burners was the first to develop small tours for independent travellers. We aim to minimise the environmental 'footprint' left by our customers and maximise the economic and social benefits to local communities. We go to Skye every week, so it was no problem to help out a local charity in this way.”
By Friday the four pictures, which included work by internationally collected Scottish artists Barbara Robertson and Jila Peacock, were safely back in Edinburgh.
INFORMATION FOR EDITORS
Art in Healthcare works with hospitals and healthcare communities throughout Scotland. The charity aims to improve the healthcare environment by placing original artworks in hospitals and healthcare centres across Scotland.
Rabbie’s Trailburners was established in 1993 and named after Scotland's best loved poet Robert Burns. The company has been awarded 5 top awards for environmental and responsible tourism excellence, including Small Company of the Year from Scottish Business in the Community.
