Car

Because of infrequent bus and train services, a car is definitely the best way to explore this region. The winding single-lane roads demand a degree of driving dexterity, however. Local rules of the road require that when two cars meet, whichever driver is the first to reach a passing place (a pullout, or extra patch of pavement to the side of the lane, often marked by a diamond-shaped sign), he must stop and allow the oncoming car to continue (this may entail a bit of backing up). You can also pull into passing places to allow traffic behind you to pass. Drivers always wave, as a courtesy and as a genuine greeting. Cars driving uphill have priority, and small cars tend to yield to large commercial vehicles. Never park in passing places. On bad days you can encounter trucks at the most awkward of spots. On good days single-track driving can be relaxing, with a lovely pace of stopping, waving, moving on. Note that in this sparsely populated area distances between gas stations can be considerable, so it is wise to fill your tank when you see one. You can reach Inverness (the natural starting point for an exploration of the Northern Highlands) in 3½ hours from Edinburgh or Glasgow; it's around 4½ hours to Skye.