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Timberbush & The Environment

At Timberbush, we believe travel should leave you with great memories — not a negative footprint.

 

We’ve been showing people around Scotland since 1998. We’re a family-owned company, and this country isn’t just where we work — it’s home. That’s why we care deeply about protecting the landscapes, wildlife, and communities you come here to experience.

 

Responsible travel isn’t something we add on at the end. It shapes how we plan our tours, run our vehicles, choose our partners, and work as a team.

 

Here’s how we do it:

Our Principles
A few simple ideas guide everything we do.
From our offices to our tours out on the road, we do as much as possible to care for Scotland’s landscapes, wildlife, and communities. We’re constantly looking to find ways to reduce our impact and run our tours as responsibly as possible.
On the Road
Making a difference one trip at a time.
Our tours are carefully designed to minimise environmental impact without compromising your experience. We use modern, fuel-efficient vehicles, match vehicle size to demand, and train our driver-guides in eco-driving to reduce emissions. Behind the scenes, our in-house workshop cuts unnecessary mileage, while centrally located departure points make it easier to travel by public transport.
Supporting Communities & Charities
Looking after Scotland means supporting the people who live here.
We support Scotland’s communities through partnerships with charities including Trees for Life, It’s Good to Give, and Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). Alongside this, our team gets hands-on by taking part in beach clean-ups, helping care for the places we all love to visit.

Our Environmental Policy

Behind the Scenes: Offices, Depots & Workshops
  • Recycling paper, plastics, glass, cans, uniforms, cartridges, and IT equipment
  • Monitoring and reducing energy and water use
  • Low-energy lighting, insulation, infrared heating, and upgraded glazing
  • A digital-first approach to paperwork
  • QR-code brochures to cut down on printed materials
  • A clean-desk approach to reduce paper waste
  • Unclaimed lost property is auctioned, with suitable items donated to local charities

On the Road
  • Our tours are designed to reduce impact while still giving you the best possible experience.
  • We operate modern, fuel-efficient vehicles, usually replacing them every 3–4 years
  • Our mixed fleet means we match vehicle size to demand, cutting unnecessary fuel use and emissions
  • All vehicles meet Euro 6E standards to keep emissions as low as possible
  • Our in-house workshop reduces “dead mileage” by around 20,000 miles and over 18 tonnes of CO₂ every year
  • We use telematics and eco-driving training to encourage smoother, more efficient driving
  • Our departure points are centrally located and easy to reach by public transport

Learning & Improving
  • All driver-guides receive eco-driving and CPC training
  • Ongoing transport and operations training focused on efficiency, safety, and environmental care
  • Fleet management software helps us monitor vehicle health and fix issues early

 

Our environmental work is independently audited and recognised through our Green Business Gold Award and Eco Fleet 5 Star rating — but we see these as milestones, not the finish line.

Our Promise

Responsible travel is an ongoing journey.

Timberbush will continue to invest, adapt, and improve — reducing our environmental impact, supporting communities, and sharing Scotland responsibly with future generations.