Setting off from Edinburgh Bus Station aboard a 16-seater Rabbie’s Tours bus, the group travelled to Perth Theatre to catch Restless Natives: The Musical - a brand-new stage production based on the beloved 1985 Scottish cult film.
If you’re unfamiliar with the original story, it’s a classic Scottish comedy where two boys from a joke shop become "Highland highwaymen," cheekily holding up tour buses. As a playful nod to that, the cast of the musical staged their own "hold-up" of the Rabbie’s bus on arrival in Perth - complete with masks, costumes, and plenty of mischief.
The twist? Instead of demanding ransom, Rabbie’s Tours stepped in with a giant cheque - a £2,500 donation proudly handed over to environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.
Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “While we don’t normally condone holding up tour buses and visitors to our beautiful country, we are absolutely thrilled to have been selected by Rabbie’s Tours to receive the ransom money from this Restless Natives stunt.
"We desperately need a sustained injection of cash to inspire and celebrate the efforts of communities across Scotland who volunteer their time to make the places they care about cleaner and greener.
"I guess we’re all restless natives, trying to make Scotland a more beautiful place – from our rural beauty spots to our towns and cities.
"The impact this £2,500 donation from Rabbie’s Tours will have is immeasurable. We’ll invest it in coordinating our Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network – supporting and inspiring action on the ground and recognising achievements of 200+ groups across the country.”
The cheeky stunt marked the opening week of Restless Natives: The Musical, which runs at Perth Theatre from Thursday 24 April to Saturday 10 May before heading out on a Scottish tour, visiting venues including Macrobert Arts Centre (Stirling), His Majesty’s Theatre (Aberdeen), Eden Court Empire Theatre (Inverness), King’s Theatre (Glasgow) and Leith Theatre (Edinburgh). Tickets for all performances are on sale now.
Produced and directed by the same team behind the 1985 original film, and co-produced by Perth Theatre, Restless Natives: The Musical brings the story of Ronnie and Will -Highland highwaymen turned folk heroes - to a new generation. Featuring iconic music inspired by Big Country, and a book by original creators Ninian Dunnett, Michael Hoffman, and Andy Paterson alongside composer Tim Sutton, the musical celebrates Scotland’s rebellious, resourceful spirit.
Choosing Rabbie’s - Scotland’s leading small-group tour company - as a partner for this launch wasn’t just a fun idea; it was a perfect fit!
Tour buses are at the heart of the Restless Natives story, and Rabbie’s share that same love for exploring Scotland’s hidden gems. Their commitment to responsible travel, local storytelling, and showcasing Scotland’s character made them the ideal accomplice in bringing this iconic moment back to life - with a twist for today.
This feel-good, full-hearted stunt captured the rebellious joy of Restless Natives - proving that a little bit of mischief can make a big difference.
Rabbie’s offers small group tours that are driven by curiosity and guided by storytellers. The tours take guests beyond the standard tick-list landmarks to explore the lesser-known and uncover the hidden gems across the UK, Ireland and Europe.