Since it is going to be my first time driving on the left, I'm going to have to get a car with automatic transmission. The car rental agency that I'm going through is offering me a choice between a Vauxhall Corsa (2 door hatchback) and a Vauxhall (smallish 4 door). It will be carrying two adults with one medium sized bag (US carryon size) and one small bag each.

Anybody driven either of these models and have a reccomendation? I would tend to think smaller is better (especially in the Highlands), but would appreciate it if anyone with first hand knowledge cared to share an opinion.

Meant to say Vauxhall Astra as the 4 door alternative.

We had an Opel Astra which is the same as the Vauxhall Astra on our trip to Germany in May. It was a 4 door and our luggage -- a 22" wheeled suitcase and my 22" wheeled backpack -- fit just fine as well as my husband's wheeled computer case.

Hi.

I would suggest you measure the width of the cars and select the narrowest. Scotland is spectacularly beautiful but the roads are breathtakingly narrow and those marvelous stone walls are most unforgiving.

B.V.

We ended up with a Volvo station wagon in Scotland last year. It wasn't what we reserved, but it's what Hertz gave us (at the same price as a smaller car). I wouldn't have wanted to drive/park it in Edinburgh, but otherwise we really didn't have any issues getting around in it in smaller towns or small country roads in the Highlands. Although there are many one-lane roads, most of them seemed to have frequent passing points.

Thanks for the replies.

ms_go: I read your trip report and really enjoyed it. In fact, we've decided to stay at the Castle View Guest House after first learning about it from your report. We're doing a somewhat similar itinerary to yours, but in reverse, staying in Inverary, Inverness, then Edinburgh at the end of the trip.

Diff'rent strokes; but I quite like the Corsa