Borders tour bus firm

Scottish Borders tour bus firm aiming for brighter future after South of Scotland Enterprise support

A Scottish Borders-based bus company which has worked with some of the biggest bands and pop stars in the world has received South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) support to help them survive the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

Four Seasons Travel has provided luxury sleeper buses across the UK and Europe to hundreds of global acts, including

  • Beyonce
  • Bruce Springsteen
  • Justin Timberlake
  • Lady Gaga
  • Liam Gallagher
  • Michael Buble

However, the Duns-based firm has been unable to operate since March 2020 when the first COVID-19 lockdown was introduced, as gigs and performances in front of large audiences were immediately suspended.

It threatened the future of the business, which has been operated by wife and husband team Maureen and Malcolm Farrey since 1982.

However, a grant of £95,880 from SOSE has helped Four Seasons Travel to survive, and they now hope to have their team of staff and vehicles back on the road across the UK and Europe when restrictions are eased.

Maureen Farrey

“It has been horrendous. We have not been able to operate for over a year, and we are not expecting to back on the road for a considerable time, as we need venues to be available at full capacity for acts to need our vehicles.

“We have had to put a lot of our own money in the business, and taken out a loan as well. We are losing a lot of money at the moment without an income.

“We had not been able to access any other funding so it was suggested we try South of Scotland Enterprise.

“We worked with a member of the SOSE team who really cared about our scenario and the support we received was fantastic. We were delighted to be able to receive the funding we did.

“With the wonderful support we have received from SOSE and the local people of the Borders, we are determined to continue the business.”

Maureen and Malcolm moved from Durham to Duns 20 years ago, and say it is the perfect location to operate their business from.

Maureen added

“We have loved living in the Scottish Borders.

“It is well located for our business, as all of the acts we deal with love coming to Scotland as part of their tours.

“We have a good quality of life, and whenever we meet people while walking around town, they ask how we are doing and are very sympathetic towards our situation. They really care.”

Chief Executive of SOSE, Jane Morrison-Ross

“Our support for Four Seasons Travel is another example of the breadth of businesses and organisations we have assisted since our launch last year.

“We are committed to working with our communities and businesses to reopen safely, and hopefully see the revival of our economy later this year.”

John McDowell, Business Development Specialist at SOSE who worked alongside Four Seasons Travel

“This was both an interesting and challenging situation but as the relationship between Four Seasons Travel and South of Scotland Enterprise grew, we also provided vital guidance and advice, highlighting that we do not just provide funding.

“As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease, we are looking forward to further engaging with Four Seasons Travel, but face to face rather than remotely.”

About SOSE
  • South of Scotland Enterprise is the economic and community development agency for Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. Our support is tailored to individual circumstances. We are encouraging businesses, community groups, organisations to get in touch with us if they need help, support or advice.  
  • SOSE approved over £22m of support for almost 400 business and organisations across the region from its launch on 1 April 2020, to December 2020.
  • If you are a business which has already applied for available streams of funding and are genuinely still struggling, or you have a good idea to adapt or diversify your business, please get in touch.