Driving on the Left in Scotland

Planning a trip to Scotland, and preparing to navigate the beautiful landscapes? Here is our ultimate guide to driving on the left in Scotland. It’s really quite simple. Just stay calm and take your time and you will do well.

Essential Tips for Foreign Travellers

One of the most important things to consider is that Scotland, like the rest of the UK, drives on the left-hand side of the road. But don’t worry! This guide is packed with tips and advice to help you master driving on the left and enjoy your Scottish road trip safely. A really useful tool to help you remember where to go is to wear a bright ribbon, bracelets or a wrist band on your left hand. So that whenever you get to a junction or roundabout, you simply need to look at your wrist and remember where you need to be.

An aerial view of Loch Ness and the road that runs along it banks
A man wears bacelets and wrist bands on his left hand as a reminder to stay left on the roads.
A group of Highland cows walk up a Scottish single track road in Autumn

Why Drive in Scotland?

Scotland is a beautiful lush country with breathtaking landscapes, historic castles, and charming villages. All are best explored by car due to the limited public transport networks to remote areas. There is a wonderful offering of tour operators. All of who are fantastic fountain of knowledge. But they are very hard to book in peak seasons, unless you book well ahead. Further, don’t operate in winter – when our landscapes are most magical. Further, the tour buses and Scottish public transport don’t take in all the wonders and wilderness…. and the beauty of Scotland is that no matter how remote you feel… you are never far from a little village or hamlet to guide you to your next adventure.

Benefits to driving yourself on holiday in Scotland

And if you drive yourself, you have the freedom to take your time, build your own itinerary and enjoy the magnificent wonders of Scotland closest to your interests. So, whether you’re cruising through the Scottish Highlands, driving the circumference of Loch Ness, following a Harry Potter, Outlander or film trail…. Or taking on the the Scottish Islands or the iconic North Coast 500…. Driving gives you the freedom to do what you want, stop wherever you like and soak in the magical views. However, getting comfortable with driving on the left is key to enjoying your adventure.

A view of Duncansby Stacks
View over the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Loch Shiel
Neptune's Staircase in Fort William

Top Tips for Driving on the Left in Scotland

  1. Alwasy stay Left, Left Left!
    The most important rule is to always keep to the left-hand side of the road. It might feel strange at first, but traffic signs and road markings will help guide you. The left hand lane is the slow lane if on a road with more than one lane. Its the safest place to be. And if you overtake in the right lane on such a road, move back into the left as soon as is safe to let other drivers continue to overtake.
  2. Stay in the centre of a roundabout if you are unsure
    Roundabouts are common in Scotland. Traffic always flows left (clockwise), and you must give way to vehicles coming from the right. KEEP A WRIST BAND ON YOUR LEFT HAND TO REMIND YOU TO GO LEFT. Follow the signs for your exit by indicating you are about to come off at that turnoff. If you are ever unsure, the safest thing to do is stay in the centre of the roundabout. Then you can safely keep driving around the roundabout untill you are sure where you want to go. And remember, don’t panic. Take your time, and indicate.
  3. Adjust to Local Roads
    Scotland’s roads vary widely depending where you are travelling. We have smooth motorways, and city grids, to rural narrow, winding roads. Be prepared to slow down and drive cautiously on single-track roads, which often have passing places for oncoming traffic. And remember to lookout for widlife, livestock and potholes!
  4. Be Ready for Weather Changes
    Scottish weather can change quickly. Rain, fog, and occasionally snow are common depending on the season. Always drive with your sidelights or headlights on to increase your visibility to other road users.
  5. Plan your fuel and rest stops
    Don’t get too tired on long journeys. Our long windy roads take a lot of focus untill you can relax into them and enjoy the ride. Plus fuel stations can be few and far between in remote areas, so know where the next town is and fill up when you get the opportunity. We have a good electric car charging network too, but do make sure you know where your nearest charger is. And pick a holiday provider who supplies charging.
  6. Know Parking Rules
    In towns and cities, look for marked parking areas and avoid parking on yellow lines. Pay attention to signs indicating time limits or charges.
  7. Understand Speed Limits
    Speed limits are displayed in miles per hour (mph) and vary based on the road type. Most sat nav’s will tell you the speed limit of the road you are on, but print these out and stick them to your dashboard as a guide:
A sign advising this road is a single track road in the Scottish Highlands.
A man wears bacelets and wrist bands on his left hand as a reminder to stay left on the roads.
A passing place and sign on a single track road in the Scottish Highlands.

Scotland’s speed limits

Urban areas: 30 mph
Single carriageways: 60 mph
Dual carriageways and motorways: 70 mph

Always check for signs, especially in towns and villages where lower limits may apply. Especially around schools and conjested areas.

Watch for Livestock

One of the key attractions of coming on your holidays to Scotland is the wildlife! Also, the escapism back to rural Highland life, and of course where to see Highland Cows in Scotland! When driving in the Highlands, many of our roads are rural singgle track roads. And many don’t have any livestock fencing. So keep to the speed limit, drive safe and keep your eyes open and aware. Sheep and Highland Cows are pretty easy to spot, but deer and pheasants (as pictured below) are more of a risk.

Wildlife are more of a concern

Pheasants will not move out of your way, so if you see one, check your rearview mirror and slowdown untill it is safe to pass. Deer are most at risk in dusk/evening and early morning, when they will often sprint across the road. So keep vigilant of your off road perimeters and don’t go too fast. Then you will have plenty time to stop or slow down. Be patient and let the animals move at their own pace.

A pheasant walks across a road outside a Scottish estate.
A Highland cow on the Scottish moores in winter

Be friendly, smile and say thanks

A really important thing to note when driving in Scotland is to be curtious of the locals. Always remember that whilst you are relaxing on holiday, and taking your time on the roads, the locals are not. Often they will be rushing to work, and they know the roads and landscape well, so will drive faster. Please always pull over at every opportunity to let the locals past so they can keep up with their daily lives.

Practical Tips for Foreign Drivers

And remember us Scottish folk are very friendly. We like to help each other. As such it is common place to stop and let people out at junctions, be curtious and don’t rush or be pushy on the roads. Thinks of others journeys before your own. And we love to wave to one another on the roads, especially in the Islands and further north in the Highalnds. A quick wave is a friendly way to thank other drivers for giving way or letting you pass. It’s a small gesture that goes a long way in Scotland.

A close up of a stag in the Highland glens of Scotland in winter
Calm waters on Loch Affric in Glen Affric

Driving Etiquette in Scotland

Remember to stay left on dual carrigeways and on motorways to let others overtake.. And if driving rurally on single-track roads, Use Passing Places! Passing places are little laybys to allow vehicles to pass each other safely. If another car approaches, pull into the nearest passing place to let them by. If you’re holding up traffic, please always be courteous and let faster vehicles overtake. Especially if you are in a campervan.

FAQs About Driving in Scotland

Do I need an International Driving Permit? Most visitors on holiday in Scotland can drive in the UK with their home country’s license. Check requirements before you travel.

What’s the steering wheel position? In Scotland, the steering wheel is on the right-hand side of the car. This means your gear stick or controls will be on your left. Remember if you are used to an automatic to ask for an automatic when hiring a car.

What is the best car to hire for Scotland’s roads?

Really any car is fine as long as you are keeping to the roads. But it is advisable to book an automatic instead of a car with gears (a stick shift car) to simplify driving in a new country for you. Also, if you are visiting in winter or want more of an authentic Scottish experience, we would advise a 4×4 car hire. You can even hire 4×4 campers!#

Nomadic Scotland 4x4 camper hire company in the Scottish Highlands.
Nomadic Scotland 4x4 camper hire company in the Scottish Highlands.

Is it hard to drive on single-track roads? Honestly, its an amazing experience! Surrounded by the most increadible scenery and wildlife. Just take your time, relax and enjoy it. You might be alittle nervous at first, but you will relax into it quickly. Its much more enjoyable than navigating through cities and urban areas! Here you can take your time and go at your own pace. Look out for wildlife and livestock, stop and let them pass. And rmember to use passing places to let locals and other traffic past.

Must-Visit Destinations for Drivers

Loch Ness Holidays and Road Trips – Famous for its mysterious monster and stunning views. We recomend staying at Abbey Holidays Loch Ness, right on the banks of Loch Ness in the magnificent historical Abbey! It is perfectly located for exploring Loch Ness, Inverness, Glen Affric, Glencoe and Skye. From Abbey Holidays Loch Ness, within the Highland Club abbey, you can explore Glencoe and the Harry Potter Glenfinnan viaduct on route to Skye. Drive through this dramatic valley for incredible photo opportunities.

Abbey Holidays Loch Ness Exterior at Fort Augustus Abbey.
The swimming pool at Abbey Holidays Loch Ness.
A mother and child on the banks of Loch Ness on a family holiday.

North Coast 500 – whether you want to drive the entiry of the NC500 or just experience part of it, the best part is from Inverness to Halkirk near Thurso, Orkney and the Duncansby Stacks. We recomend staying at one of the best North Coast 500 hotels, the Ulbster Arms Hotel. Here you will enjoy a truely Scottish experince with great food and comfort. This offers the perfect northern base to enjoy Scotland’s road trips, with coastal views and hidden gems along the way. You can even hop on the ferry to Orkney from here.

Ulbster arms hotel drone image, a top hotel on the North Coast 500.
Ulbster arms hotel bedrom, the best hotel on the North Coast 500.
Duncansby Stacks at night with northern lights above

Time to get booking your holidays to Scotland

Driving on the left in Scotland may seem challenging at first, but with practice and patience, you’ll get the hang of it. It’s worth the effort to experience Scotland’s natural beauty and charming towns at your own pace.

So, now it’s time to stop worrying, rent a car, hit the road, and create the most increadible and unforgettable memories in Scotland on your holidays. Safe travels! And please contact us if you have any questions at all that you need help with.

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