Our local facebook groups have reported several blocked single track roads to the major honey pot sights of Skye over the last couple of days. I thought some advice on single track roads might be useful, but first some information on the problems we've had these last couple of days.
Yesterday the single track road from Staffin to the Quiraing was blocked for several hours when a rented camper van tried to squeeze past a rental car without using a proper passing place. As a result the camper van ended up in the ditch at the side of the road unable to move as the underside of the van was caught on the edge of the road surface. Chaos ensued as the road was completely blocked. The recovery vehicle was unable to get to the scene as scores of visitor vehicles blocked the road. Nobody could turn around and it took ages to get everyone out of the way so the camper van could be recovered. Despite warnings more vehicles tried to access the Quiraing.
Today the road to the Fairy Glen is blocked and has been for quite a few hours. Another van has gone off the road in circumstances identical to those in the Quiraing yesterday. Comments on the local Official Isle of Skye facebook page ask why the roads are so poor. Well it's a single track road (with passing places) to a farm, that courtesy of the Instagram generation has become a tourist hot spot. It's probably completely unreasonable to expect Highland Council to widen a road that was never intended to take more than a few cars and farm vehicles. And who would pay for that improvement - local tax payers who don't use that road?
This post is by way of information and to advise anyone coming to Skye to make sure they know how to use single track roads. There are lots of videos online showing how to do it but here is one that I like.
It is absolutely essential that you don't tailgate other road users,
as this risks too many cars trying to get into a passing place and
blocking the road. Usually passing places only fit 2 cars. So if
you're in a line of cars you need to leave space. This means hanging
back at the last passing place until the traffic in front of you has
cleared the next passing place.Always stop on the left side of the road, opposite a passing place if
the passing place is on the right hand side of the road.Be prepared to reverse if you come nose to nose with another vehicle
and the nearest passing place is behind you.If you are causing a queue then pull over and let faster traffic pass you.
I'd also suggest that there are plenty of absolutely stunning places to visit in Skye. Consider avoiding the honey pot sites like the Fairly Pools, Fairly Glen, Quiraing, Coral Beach and Neist Point. All of these sites require you to drive tricky, single track roads that are poorly maintained and have lots of potholes that can wreck your tyres if you're not careful. If you must go to those sites, maybe do so early in the morning or late in the evening - although driving to Neist Point for the sunset is not for the faint hearted.
Have a look at Walk Highlands to find equally interesting and beautiful places on our wonderful island.