Driving in Scotland

I always rent an automatic in the UK. Everyplace else I get a manual. That may have been a why driving seemed so hectic for you; continually having to shift.

I had no issues the two trips I’ve driven in Scotland. I thought Ireland was more hectic and the rural roads not nearly as well marked, but even then it wasn’t bad. Some places in Wales and Cornwall were nerve wracking because the roads were so narrow with plenty of curves.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

A tip I was given I think helped a lot. Take some time and watch a few "how to drive in Scotland" videos on YouTube. They will explain the etiquette and behaviors for the narrow lanes. Getting that right eliminates the biggest stress point of wandering about the countryside. Then you won't have a bunch of Scots cursing you out in delightful but incomprehensible brogue or dialect as they pass you.

Oh, and pay attention when you leave a parking area to make sure you pull out into the correct lane.

If you are used to driving an automatic, hire an automatic. It is your skill set so you might as well use it to your advantage.

Remember we have a distinction in the UK between a full driving licence (any car) and and automatic driving licence (automatics only) so we are used to people only driving automatics!

driving in Scotland was nerve-wracking the entire time.

I'm interested - what was the difference between Irish and Scottish roads that made Scotland nerve racking? What parts of Ireland were you driving in and where abouts in Scotland?

I've scrolled down to find that wasleys has already asked one of my questions! I can see that driving on mountain roads is less common is Ireland but the geography has been there for years and is something that could be planned for (or around....). But apart from that what's the difference?

I'd like to know what online training Celtic Legend offer that justifies a fee. There are plenty of "how to drive on UK roads" videos available for free on Youtube, some of which are worth watching. But there also many times more "americans get into a panic on UK road" videos which might not be useful.

I've answered my own question. Celtic Legend don't offer online training, they give a link to Tripiamo where for $39.99 you can get advice that is pretty much what you can find on Youtube. One alarm bell is that on one page of theh UK course booking process there is a video which shows someone driving smoothly along in the centre lane of a quiet motorway with nobody in the left lane, which is something the police will pull you for!!!

Even more worrying is that Google AI is now saying this training is recommended by linking to this discussion - give me strength!!!

Edit: after a tiny amount of searching I found this in Youtube, so that's $39.99 somebody owes me.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwKQ1ClZJl4

Helen, thanks so much for your review. Like you, I loved Arnold Clarke and Celtic Legend. I think they're both very good companies and work well together. I've rented from Arnold Clarke directly and also through Celtic Legend, and both were wonderful experiences.

I also agree that it is difficult to drive in Scotland. I have been driving for years through most of Europe, and there were times when it was pretty scary, especially since, as you pointed out, those mountain roads can be a bit much. I haven't used that online seminar that Celtic Legend links to, but I would imagine it would be good for someone who is not used to the Scottland roads. Familiarity is always helpful, and the more videos and online training you can use, the better off you will be.

One thing I might suggest in the future is if you are driving some place and are unfamiliar with it, use AI to map out some routes for you. I just spent three weeks in Iceland, Stockholm, and Norway, and rented a car during my week in Iceland and for five days in Norway. I knew that the roads would be different and the driving would be different, although at least, luckily, they drive on the right side of the road. In addition, I am afraid of heights, and so I always want to know what is ahead on a road when I'm driving it, especially in places that have mountains and high altitudes. I had AI show me a few routes that I could take that would not affect my fear. It came through quite well. My daughter and I had a wonderful time and there were no scary switchbacks that I ran into unexpectedly.

Might be worth keeping in mind that the Republic of Ireland has been investing a lot in its road infrastructure since 2000, Scotland's network is largely as it was in the year 2000, and a lot of our roads are the 'pour tarmac on a dirt track' school of road buidling. We also have a lot of single track roads as main roads something very rare else where in these islands.

But I'd agree with others, watch some YT videos from leading accounts, have a look at what the roads look like on GSV and learn the signs. There are some 'unwritten rules' that can appear, but there are in most countries.

Scottish and UK roads are generally safe roads by international standards, just not what you might expect.

Ok, I'm just renting for a day or two, and I'm now nervous. I can drive a manual transmission but rented an automatic for Scotland. Typically, I navigate and my husband drives, but he isn't with us in Scotland. A lot depends on the other drivers on the road. Among countries that drive on the "wrong" side, some countries' drivers are kinder than others. New Zealand drivers were the absolute rudest which is odd because out of their cars New Zealand folks were very pleasant. In Australia and England other drivers were quite thoughtful. Hopefully, we/I will find Ireland and Scotland drivers to be kind.

Me.crewe, thanks for the Youtube link!

@jules don't try and overthink it. Hiring an automatic is a very, very good idea. Have a look at GSV of where you are going, have a read of the rules of the road, watch a few videos.

But don't worry too much, most drivers are fairly polite here, and one thing is 'if in doubt, let them out'. Let anyone being an idiot out or pass you, then they are in front of you.

We still don't know why the OP found it nerve-wracking- was it driving in Edinburgh, Glasgow's motorway madness, waving at other drivers on the islands, or tackling Bealach na Bà?

Jules, as MC said, I wouldn't worry about it. I wasn't really stressed by the driving, but sometimes it was a little difficult for me on the higher roads because I have a fear of heights. Overall, it wasn't bad. You do need to pay attention, though, which is why having an automatic instead of a manual is a good idea.

Definitely, Scottish drivers are incredibly nice. I can't tell you the number of times that the drivers were patient with me, even though I was probably going a bit slower than they would have liked. I sent you a link to a video a while ago, and I don't know if you still have it, but if you do, I would definitely watch it. There is an etiquette involved in using the passing places and driving on single-track roads, and it's a good idea to learn that because it will make you feel better and will make the other drivers feel better as well.

That said, there are a couple of pieces of information that might be helpful, including a thread I opened a few years ago before I went to Scotland that helped me get around by car:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/scotland/driving-in-scotland-etiquette-question
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usfeatures/singletrack/index.html
https://www.visitinvernesslochness.com/blog/single-track-roads

Thank you, Mardee, I do have your previous post with the link saved