I am a bit anxious about renting a car and driving with the wheel on the right and trying to remember to stay to the left. But what made me more anxious was something i heard from a friend of a cousin of mine who also rented a car here on the islands. He said he blew out not one but two tires by running over something he did not see on the left side of the road. He had loss and damage coverage for the rental (which I also have intended to take out after I discuss with my insurance and credit card people). He said it did not cover tires and it cost him more that $600 to replace them.
I heard the roads are OK on the islands but some of the places I have looked into going have unpaved roads. I am worried about the tire situation. The rental car company said it is 25 additional pounds if I want coverage that will include tire repairs. I am not sure what to do. I am also wondering if this is a problem on the roads there and what others' experiences have been like.
I am flying in to Stornoway on a Sunday (I already know all stores will be closed) but picking up the car on a Sunday is fine with me because I am hoping it will mean less traffic on the roads so I can get some great photos between 3pm and 7pm before I check into the bed an breakfast near the Stones.