Hello,
We are driving from Edinburgh, Perth, Pitlochry, to Inverness, to Oban, Sterling, back to Edinburgh. Wondering how the roads are? Is it one lane roads, is the driving slow, is it hard to drive, are there areas that are deserted, what is the speed limits? Thank you in advance for any information.
Seva

Well, yes. You'll proabably experience a little of all of it, depending on how much exploring you do. Most of the time you'll be on good roads, but to Oban could be on narrower ones. I'd recommend getting a good driving atlas for Great Britain (their AAA is AA) and get a feel for the roads. M roads are like our interstates (M-1 for example), then A roads, then B. Actually, I think there is an AA road, also. B would be more like farm roads. The atlas will tell you speed limits, distances (of course!) and give you an idea of what kind of roads you'll be on. Have fun.

Hi,

I did a similar route a few years ago but went farther north. The part you're driving is quite easy; I believe it's all at least two-lane roads. Don't remember any areas that were deserted - there were always other cars on the road, although once away from Edinburgh not a lot of traffic.

Have no idea of the speed limits since I don't drive that fast - I'm on vacation and busy looking at the scenery as I drive. Just don't zoom through the villages and you'll be fine.

Thank you, great answers.

One of the greatest magazine articles I've ever read wasin CAR, a UK magazine, describing a trip through Scotland, on remote, twisty roads, at outlandish speeds in a high-performance Accura.

So I guess whether twisty and remote is a positive or a negative depends on what you are driving, and how you like to drive.

I got out a detailed road atlas and followed the trip in detail; there were shorter, bigger road, less twisty ways to make the trip, too.

Whichever you want, you'll have a fine time, but as a general rule, overall times will be greater than it would take yyou in the USA or Canda for the same overall trip, except for the M-highway portions.

Two notes: remember the right hand drive will be different, depending on where you come from, and remember, too, that many rental cars use standard transmissions, and automatics are premium priced.

I've found that reminding myself "center line is out my window" keeps me on the proper side of the road.

BAK

The roads are fine, thank you.

Where you are going there should be no single track roads with passing places on the main routes, although west of Inverness and almost back down to StIrling you may find some of the back roads are single track.

On main roads you should be able to average 50 mph comfortably.

It's no harder to drive here than anywhere else.

There are many desered areas in Scotland but, on that route, you're not going to any.

In the towns the speed limit is 30mph (although some residential areas may restrict this to 20- if so, it will be well signposted, since it is a new-fangled thing for us too), on ordinary roads it is 60mph and on motorways or dual carriageways, 70mph.

The last time we were in the Highlands we noticed a lot of road widening going on because of grants from the EU.
There are still some single track roads with passing places, but you're on holiday so you can relax and enjoy them. I love the way people always wave and smile when you pull in to let them pass. It's a good idea to let people overtake especially if they are local folk and in a hurry.

If Sheila says it's ok than it must be but I do want to relate my experience. Last May mom and I drove all over Scotland and while no one day was horrible it was wearing over the long haul. Don't know how many days you have to do this but please don't try and drive too far each day! And if anyone of the Scotlandites here gives you a trip time that seems to long - believe them! Enjoy - it is a gorgeous country!

P.S. Am currently planning an Italy trip and plan to take the TRAIN! (course I like to drink wine in the middle of the day . . . )

Hi Sheila,

With all due respect, I found driving in Scotland to be very tiring and difficult. I don't have a lot of experience driving in Europe, only in Italy, France, Belgium, and England but I have driven in NYC many times.

The one time I drove in Scotland I found I had only gone about 400 miles in a week and yet I was totally exhausted!

Most of the difficulty in driving in Scotland is the one-lane roads where you have to be vigilant about cars approaching from the opposite direction. I'm not a driver who relies on "the other person" seeing me first and pulling over. The other problem is the sheep with their butts hanging out in the road. I was so afraid I would hit one and hurt it or kill it. Very different driving from what I'm used to.

I guess it's all down to what suits a person. I never have a problem driving anywhere, but I'd certainly find it more tiring driving in New York, or any city, than anywhere in Scotland.

When you say "one-lane" do you mean single track? passing places? or what we would call two lane highways?

Sheep, I can't really comment on. I've grown up with this. You learn to tell the danger signs.

Our one experience driving in Scotland was about 10-11 years ago. We started in Glasgow, where our niece was teaching school at the time, and from there drove to Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Arbroath, etc. Didn't get into the highlands, but the roads we traveled were fine.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the roundabouts (traffic circles) which we found very helpful once we got the hang of it.

Obviously you will be driving on the opposite side of the road you are used to (assuming you are from the US), but this too works fine after you get used to it.

We had no problems with driving and as someone mentioned above, Scotland is a beautiful country and we found the scenery very pleasant as we made our way from one place to another.

Just do some homework before you leave, in terms of driving regulations, road signs, etc. You could also map out your route on several sites:

http://www.mappy.com/direct/mappy/accueil

www.viamichelin.com

This site might be of help to you also:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/

Outside of the cities, driving is actually pretty easy. But a LOT depends on how confident a driver you are at home. If you are competent there you will be OK in rural Scotland.

But I notice from one of your other threads that you will be driving on Mull. Almost all of the roads on Mull are single track (one lane). In fact the only two lane road is the 11 miles from Craignure to Salen. But don't worry - driving single tracks takes a little getting used to - but it is actually very easy. When an oncoming driver sees you, he/she will usually pull over in the first passing place he comes to (instead of trying to race you to the next one). When a driver pulls over he will flash his lights to let you know it is OK for you to procede.

Have a great time.

Thank you Janis and all others.
Seva