Does anyone know of any road maps that they can highly reommend for Britain, in particular Scotland? <BR> <BR>Also, are there any driving tips peculiar to driving in Scotland in September that I should know about? <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Andy

I have used a British Atlas - the type you can pick up along at rest stops along the motorway. I don't recall the brand - I wanted one easy to handle in the car with enough detail to be able to travel smaller roads. <BR> <BR>You should have nothing unusual to be concerned about driving in September.

I would suggest a rung bound AA or RAC Road Atlas based on the Ordnance Survey Maps. <BR> <BR>They're quite expensive, but an up to dat one is easily the best you can get. You will get one in a good motorway service station but don't count on it. get one from a good bookstore in advance. If you have no other contact try Stanfords in London. They have web site but I don't know the address

Go to your local Barnes & Noble and pickup Michelin (yellow) maps of Scotland.

Just returned from there... <BR>Boy, for an american (or any other European, for that matter) who has always driven on the right side of the road... It was quite an experience... Driving on highways was ok, but once you enter a city, be super alert, and those roundabouts, so typical to Europe in general, but so confusing in Britain... Also, be aware that the smaller roads in Scotland are extremely narrow, very winding and sometimes very steep Ð especially in the Highlands... but of course, having a car is the only way to REALLY see and enjoy Scotland. So be prepared for some tense moments, don't rent a large car, and have a "nevigator" sitting next to you with the map, and with the alertness of keeping you driving on the right (which is the left) side of the road. <BR>Have fun, Amik.

You'll love it, and it doesn't take long to get the hang of it. Manual transmission is fine, just have to get use to it. WE've driven in Scotland four times....my husband is completely ambidextrious and found it easy to shift on the floor with the left hand. I would second the Michelin maps...bought at the book store,,,in fact they are usually divided into different areas of the county...and show you back roads (which we like to explore). I would go to Scotland again"in a heartbeat"...tomorrow for instance...it is gorgeous, fun, full of wonderful people, and most interesting!

We just returned from Scotland and loved it. The hardest thing about driving is how narrow the roads are and <BR>the lack of shoulders. My husband did most of the driving and quickly became use to driving on the left. But we were in the highlands and traffic wasn't very busy and area was beautiful. We are already planning to go back. September may be busier because there will be Highland games going on in various areas which will make it even more interesting.

Dont believe everything you are told. The easiest place for a driver used to right-hand driving to drive is in the Highlands. On the single track roads you cannot drive on the wrong side, there is only one side, but beware of passing places. They are there to allow faster traffic to overtake as well as drivers heading straight for you to pass. Best of all, drivers used to single track roads are the locals and they are friendly - they waill all wave as they pass. <BR> <BR>So far as special things to look out for there is only one - September is the Haggis rutting season. If you have never confronted a wild haggis in the rut daring you to run over him then your life has been simple up to now - take my advcie - keep it that way. Since rutting Haggi only come out after the pubs close you are not too likley to run into one - particularly since most pubs in the Highlands dont close until the middle of October.

Don't believe those people for a second who say they didn't have any trouble adjusting to driving on the left. When friends from the U.S. used to visit in Ireland, I quickly learned NOT to accept their offers to drive their rental cars. I still shudder when I think of people driving fast through the fog along tiny mountain roads, or slow along the motorway, or keeping the hedges trimmed. This was not just one or two friends--it was EVERYONE who ever came to visit, and most were very good drivers back in America. The main problem is that the drivers got too confidant too quickly, and kept bragging about how easy it was. It isn't. <BR> <BR>My long-winded reply ends here--spend the extra money on an automatic car.

You really have to watch out for sheep on the roads in the Highlands, this includes the main roads.It is usual to see a sheep roadkill or five on journeys of any length. <BR> If you hit a sheep, you are legally liable, it's up to you to be careful. <BR> The worst time is around sunset - they lie on the road as its still warm from the day.Don't expect them to leap out of your way, they are as likely to leap in front of you! <BR> The first time you come round a bend & are confronted with this you will see how potentially dangerous this is (especially for the sheep!) so take it easy. <BR> The only other thing is to to allow people to pass if you are taking your time. <BR> Petrol is more expensive in the Highlands - fill up in the Glasgow-Edinburgh area before heading Northwest.Be aware that there is now a toll bridge to the Isle of Skye, ferry has been replaced. <BR>

We were in Scotland late last fall. I was the designated driver. I faithfully read prior posts here on driving in the UK and found them extremely helpful. The navigator/driver idea is a great one. <BR> <BR>I have to honestly say that the hardest time I had driving in Scotland was after landing there. Understandably, I was tired and not at my most alert. We ended up 'lost' in Stirling after a detour sign pointed us in the wrong direction. We ended up in the middle of the city and a very wonderful woman leaving work drove us out to the turnoff for our road. We could not believe the lengths this woman took to get us on our way. After such an auspicious start, it was no wonder that the high point of our trip were the Scottish people we met. <BR> <BR>Also, it took me a good four days before my gut didn't twist getting behind the wheel of the car. We stayed in the country and of course that is the only way to see things. The days we went into Edinburgh, we took a train to minimize driving in tight quarters in a city. <BR> <BR>I second the suggestion of going to your local Barnes and Noble for the Michelin maps. <BR> <BR>It's a great place...have a wonderful time!!! <BR> <BR>

I'm not sure what Ann thinks getting a car with automatic transmission would have to do with driving faster on a motorway or slower in the fog. I think that most U.S. drivers who are completely comfortable with a manual transmission back home won't have trouble with that part of driving in Britain. I have had more trouble getting used to a turn signal lever on the right side of the steering wheel on Japanese cars in Britain. <BR> <BR>I think the most dangerous times are when you are in a situation where the left-handedness isn't being reenforced, such as on one-way or one-lane roads. It's easy to come out of these roads and just naturally head to the right side. <BR>

Back to the original question about maps. I prefer the AA maps because they use the "national grid" system to plot locations. This is useful because various organizations such as English Heritage and the National Trust use this system in their directories, so it's easier to locate their properties.

Hi! We just got back from Scotland and we drove all over. My husband had a hard time adjusting to the left side, so I did the driving and really enjoyed it.I would definitely recommend an automatic. We bought Great Britain AZ Road Atlas at a roadside store for 7.95 pounds and we used it constantly, it was a lifesaver. Enjoy!!

In regards to the driving in England - we were in London last November, where we picked up our manual transmission auto [central London, that is]. My brother-in-law, who had NEVER driven on the left, did the driving, quite admiralably too!! He 'practiced' in his sleep [he said]. My husband was the one who got nervous. The round abouts were ok, if we missed our turn we kept going around or turned around on up the road. If you have a navigator, a good sense of humor and look at the experience as an adventure, you will do fine. What Americans are not used to any longer, I think, are polite drivers, which the British and Scots are. We plan on going back to finish our interrupted trip in about 6 months and will definitely drive again. <BR>

One more word about the roundabouts -- as NAVIGATOR I found them easy to get around. They are well marked. My husband -the driver- had NO problems driving on the left, except once coming out of a roundabout near St Andrews. He headed to the right lane, my screaming reminded him left lane. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful holiday. There's no place like Scotland!