Ah, Scotland—home of stunning landscapes, rich history, and roads that can make even the most experienced driver wonder what they were thinking. For our 9-day Scottish adventure, Amelia and I decided that renting a car would be the best way to travel the county…….Right?! 😆
So…. driving in Scotland……. is like being in a constant state of mild panic—except you're navigating charming country roads that are barely wide enough for a sheep, let alone a car. There’s the small matter of driving on the other side of the road, where your instinct is to veer into oncoming traffic like you're starring in an action movie. Then, there are the roundabouts. Roundabouts in Scotland are like the "Fast & Furious" for beginners—everyone zooms around like they’ve memorized a secret set of rules that you, unfortunately, were not given. Add in the fact that the roads are mostly narrow, winding, and often surrounded by sheer cliffs (where one wrong move could end with you joining the sheep on the hillsides), and you've got yourself a true adventure. And just when you think you’ve conquered it, you’ll end up in a small village where the locals drive like they own the road and you’re just a clueless tourist in a rental car trying not to scratch the paint. But hey, you’ll get through it—you hope! 🤞
Let’s dive into our collection of experiences that definitely weren’t in the brochure.
1. The Rental Roulette
Ah, the joy of renting a car. There's something so liberating about it, right? You’ve just landed in a new country (or city), and you're all ready to hit the road like an intrepid explorer, free to wander at your own pace, choosing your own path.
So now, the fun part: actually, seeing the car you’ve just rented. You’ve made your way to the lot, and there it is. It will work, we think. But, as we were trying to figure all the bells and whistles of the car, we worked the lever for the windshield wipers…. nope, no go. We started second guessing ourselves…. maybe the windshield wipers on the cars in Scotland don’t work the same as in the United States?? 🤔 Negative, they are the same. In Scotland, not having windshield wipers is a definite deal breaker (Side note: it rained every day we were there). After 15 minutes of checking the car and taking photos of the existing bumps and bruises, we were now onto the second rental car…. Take two!
Phew…” Little Blue” passed the inspection!🎉
Now, onto driving…. ah, the thrill of driving a car with manual transmission—on the right side of the car.
First of all, you sit down in the passenger seat—wait, no, this is the driver’s seat, but it feels like you’re in someone else’s car. You’re on the “wrong” side of the vehicle, and your brain is doing a backflip trying to process this new reality. The pedals? They’re the same, right? Right?!
You immediately make eye contact with the gear stick. You reach for it, and for a split second, you forget that your left hand is the one that needs to be in charge of the gears. Your right hand, which is definitely used to shifting, goes for the gear shift instead, and you have that moment of realization where you almost take out a road sign. This, friends, is how you start driving manual on the right side of the car: with a 50/50 chance of either stalling or starting a multi-car pileup.
2. The Left Side of the Road is the Right Side
At first, this can be a real brain twister. 😕You know you're supposed to drive on the left (they even have signs reminding you), but somehow, the first few miles still feel like you're accidentally making a wrong turn into an alternative dimension. Every time you turn the wheel, there's that terrifying moment where you think, "Wait, am I supposed to be here?! Did I do it right?" But it’s too late—you're already halfway across the road.
Since Amelia had to do all the driving because my license was stolen in Athens by a pickpocket (a story for another time), I experienced everything as a passenger. And let me tell you, being the front passenger on the left side of a car (in a country that drives on the right) is like being the unofficial co-pilot of chaos. You’re not quite in control, but you sure feel responsible for the whole journey, whether it’s reminding the driver to “stay on the right!”, yelling “Pothole!” or silently praying that they remember to brake and shift at the right time. Talk about feeling on edge….yikes! 😬
3. Roundabouts: The Scottish Rite of Passage
You’ve probably seen roundabouts before, but have you ever seen one the size of a small village? Scotland has perfected the roundabout into an art form. It's not just a traffic maneuver; it's a high-speed negotiation. When you approach one, be prepared for a bit of a mental wrestling match: “Do I go now? Are they going? Which lane should I be in? Do I go left? Right? Wait, why is that guy already halfway around it?” If you survive without accidentally driving in the wrong direction, you deserve a medal.🎖️
It’s as if every Scottish town decided to put roundabouts everywhere, and I mean everywhere, for no reason other than to see how long it would take for the tourists to cry. A perfect example was our 9-minute drive to see the Kelpies, oh the Kelpies! The Kelpies are a striking and larger-than-life set of sculptures that stand proudly in The Helix Park near Falkirk, Scotland. I digress….we had to navigate 11 roundabouts in less than 10 minutes? 11 you say?! What is this madness?🙄
Roundabouts are essentially a traffic flow wizard. Instead of waiting at a traffic light for an eternity (because who enjoys that?), roundabouts keep traffic moving with little to no stopping. In theory, this means fewer traffic jams and a smoother ride. In practice? Well, let’s just say you’ll need the reflexes of a Formula 1 driver to navigate some of them.
4. Passing Place - The 'You-First' Nook
In Scotland, the roads are narrow. Like, really narrow. And if you're lucky enough to come across a passing place (a tiny pull-off on the side of the road where you and another vehicle can barely fit), you’ll find yourself offering silent prayers to the driving gods and praying that your rental car’s side mirrors stay intact. The first time you come across a passing place, the hardest part is deciding if you’re supposed to pull over or the oncoming vehicle is. It like a game of chicken! 🐔
And just when you think you’ve conquered the last passing place, you round the next bend and boom, there’s another one. It’s as though Scotland is constantly testing your ability to navigate its maze of winding, narrow roads. Sure, you might curse at them at first, but once you master the art of the passing place, you’ll feel like you’ve conquered all of Scotland.👍
5. Expect Sheep. Lots of Sheep.
Scotland’s rural roads are not just scenic—they’re full of surprises. Like the time you were driving down a peaceful, picturesque glen, and suddenly, a herd of sheep 🐏 decided to take a stroll across the road. They’re surprisingly stubborn. And quick. Don’t be fooled by their cute woolly appearance; sheep have no fear when it comes to slowing down your road trip. Your best bet is to take a deep breath, wait for them to wander off, and, for the love of all things sacred, avoid making eye contact.
And speaking of sheep, they have no respect for your right to a stress-free driving experience. As you carefully maneuver your way around a blind corner, there’s always a sheep, or perhaps an entire family of sheep, meandering into the middle of the road, casually nibbling grass like they own the place. They do. You’ll just have to wait.🫸
6. The "Are You Sure This is a Road?" Moment
Finally, after navigating narrow streets, one-lane tracks, and tiny village lanes, you’ll inevitably come across what appears to be the road less traveled. And when you’re driving along, wondering, “Is this even a road? Am I being pranked?”, just know that you are on a road. It’s just Scotland’s idea of a good time. And, god forbid you have to turn around or come to a dead-end….get ready for that 10-point turn. The “road” to Steall Falls was exactly this! Winding curves, uneven surface, potholes, drop-offs and so narrow we didn’t even think “Little Blue” would fit. 🚙
Steall Falls is one of Scotland’s most breathtaking natural wonders, tucked away in the stunning Glen Nevis near Fort William. Point of interest......If you’re familiar with the Harry Potter films, you might recognize Steall Falls as the stunning backdrop for a pivotal scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire—specifically, the scene where Harry competes in the Triwizard Tournament’s second task.
7. Traffic Signs: A Game of 'Guess the Meaning
You’ll probably encounter a sign that says something like, "Caution: Steep Grade and No Guard Rails." What it should really say is, “Good luck, brave traveler.” You’ll cling to the steering wheel with sweaty palms, trying to remember if you’re supposed to steer away from the cliff or towards it. Spoiler: You’ll figure it out eventually. After all, you’ve survived the passing places, the roundabouts and the sheep. A little cliffside terror? Pfft. Piece of cake. 🍰
Speaking of signs, let’s talk Scotland’s traffic signs…navigating them is like solving a puzzle that no one gave you the instructions to. One minute you’re feeling like you’ve mastered the art of road signs, and the next minute, you’re questioning your entire existence, wondering whether you just drove into a sheep’s personal territory. They are cryptic sometimes just plain are mysterious.🔮
So, if you’re planning to hit the road in Scotland, just remember a few things: Drive on the left, keep your wits about you, and, most importantly, always be prepared to greet a sheep like it’s your new best friend.
Now, who’s ready for a road trip? 🛣️