Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
registration, insurance and ownership documents
at all times.
In Scotland, as in the rest of the UK, you drive on
the left . Speed limits are 20-40mph in built-up
areas, 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways
(freeways) and 60mph on most other roads. As a
rule, assume that in any area with street lighting the
limit is 30mph.
In the Highlands and Islands, there are still plenty
of single-track roads with passing places; in
addition to allowing oncoming tra c to pass at
these points, you should also let cars behind you
overtake. These roads can be frustrating but take
care and stay alert for vehicles coming in the
opposite direction, which may have been hidden
by bends or dips in the road. In remoter regions, the
roads are dotted with sheep, which are entirely
oblivious to cars, so slow down and edge your way
past; should you kill or injure one, it is your duty to
inform the local farmer.
The AA ( T 08008 87766, W theaa.com), RAC
( T 08448 913111, W rac.co.uk) and Green Flag
( T 08452 462766, W greenflag.com) all operate
24-hour emergency breakdown services. You may
be entitled to free assistance through a reciprocal
arrangement with a motoring organization in your
home country. If not, you can make use of these
emergency services by joining at the roadside, but
you will incur a hefty surcharge. In remote areas,
you may have a long wait for assistance.
By ferry
Scotland has more than sixty inhabited islands,
and nearly fifty of them have scheduled ferry
links. Most ferries carry cars and vans, and the vast
majority can - and should - be booked as far in
advance as possible.
CalMac has a virtual monopoly on services on
the River Clyde and to the Hebrides, sailing to 22
islands and 4 peninsulas. They aren't quick - no
catamarans or fast ferries - or cheap, but they do
have two types of reduced-fare pass. If you're
taking more than one ferry, ask for one of the
discounted Island Hopscotch tickets (there are
more than 20 different variations to choose
between). If you're going to be taking a lot of
ferries, you might be better off with an Island
Rover , which entitles you to eight or fifteen
consecutive days' unlimited ferry travel. It does
not, however, guarantee you a place on any ferry,
so you still need to book ahead. Prices for the
eight-day/fifteen-day pass are around £57/£82
per passenger and around £270/£400 per car.
Car ferries to Orkney and Shetland are run by
NorthLink Ferries. Pentland Ferries also run a car
ferry to Orkney, and John O'Groats Ferries run a
summer-only passenger service to Orkney. The
various Orkney islands are linked to each other by
Orkney Ferries; Shetland's inter-island ferries are
mostly council-run so the local tourist board
( W shetland.gov.uk) is your best bet for informa-
tion. There are also numerous small operators
round the Scottish coast that run fast RIB taxi
services, day-excursion trips, and even the odd
scheduled service; their contact details are given
in the relevant chapters of this guide.
Car rental
Car rental in Scotland is expensive. Most firms
charge £25-50 per day, or around £130-200 a
week. The major chains are confined mostly to the
big cities, so it may be cheaper to use small local
agencies - we've highlighted some in the Guide.
The best deals are usually found in advance,
through sites such as Auto Europe ( W auto-europe.
co.uk). With all rentals it's worth checking the terms
and conditions carefully; some rentals only allow
you to drive a limited number of miles before
paying extra.
Remember, too that fuel in Scotland is expensive
- petrol (gasoline) and diesel cost well over £1.35
per litre. Automatics are rare at the lower end of
the price scale - if you want one, you should book
well ahead. Camper vans are another option; rates
start at around £400 a week in the high season, but
you'll save on accommodation - visit W walkhigh-
lands.co.uk to view a range of options. Few
companies will rent to drivers with less than one
year's experience and most will only rent to people
over 21 or 25 and under 70 or 75 years of age.
FERRY COMPANIES
CalMac T 08000 665000, W calmac.co.uk
John O'Groats Ferries T 01955 611353, W jogferry.co.uk
NorthLink Ferries T 08456 000449, W northlinkferries.co.uk
Orkney Ferries T 01856 872044, W orkneyferries.co.uk
Pentland Ferries T 01856 831226, W pentlandferries.co.uk
By plane
Apart from the three major airports of Glasgow,
Edinburgh and Aberdeen, Scotland has numerous
minor airports around the Scottish Highlands and
Islands, some of which are little more than gravel
airstrips. Airfares fluctuate enormously depending
on demand - if you book early enough you can fly
from Glasgow to Islay for £45 one-way, but leave it
to the last minute and it could cost you more than
 
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