Visiting Scotland-getting around

[Paul Henry]

Just a small point. In the States you can turn right at a crossroads traffic light if it is red but there is no traffic about, is that right?
In the UK (and Ireland and AFAIK the rest of Europe for that matter), driving through a red light is never allowed no matter how empty the road is. It is a small thing, but if you do it with a police car behind you, you might have some explaining to do!

Yes, in the UK a red light means STOP , there is no turning at a stop light, except on a green filter arrow

[The Wizard of BC]

Alan,

Here are my observations about getting around in the UK.

Hire a car. In many places you will wish to go it is the only way to get there in any reasonable time. If you wish to do more than one stop in a day a car is the only way to do this.

The reason is the public transportation system. Not the system itself which is excellent but the time and frustration of getting used to using it.
In N. America we all drive. We are used to getting in the car and going. When and where we want. Except for those who live in the major cities many of us have never taken a train or bus.

Let me give you an example. Bobbie and I were staying at a wonderful B&B south of Stirling and wanted to avoid the hassle of driving into Edinburgh for a day trip. So we drove from the B&B to the nearest train station. (15 min.)
Now, where to park the car? Parking is always at a premium in the UK and finding a spot for those who are not used to seeing and recognizing things it took a while. (10 min, and luckly we had someone pull out of a spot just as we pulled into the lot.).
Then we had to buy our tickets. No ticket office, just the automated machine. (OK 10 minutes to read the instructions.)
Now we wait for the train to arrive. (28 min.)

38 mins on the train.

The train ride itself was wonderful. Clean, relaxing and we could watch the trees flash by. (don't expect to look out across the countryside anywhere in the UK, the trees and hedges will block your view the entire time.)

Arrive in Edinburgh (Did you wear comfortable walking shoes?)
Then we walking for a half an hour to the first place we wished to visit. All in all I could have driven the same distance 3 times in what it actually took. Using the system is great but it really cuts into the sightseeing time.
Your also stuck visiting only those places you can hoof it to in the time you have available before heading back to the train station for the return trip.

Would I do it again? YES! in a heartbeat, but I would make sure that I was at the train station for the first available train in the morning just to compensate for the extra time of using the system and not just driving as I would here. It will take you approx. three times as long as you think to get around in the UK as it does at home. And that cuts into the sightseeing time.

Then, THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU MUST GET IN YOUR HEAD BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN THE UK!!!!!!!

Learn how to deal with Traffic Circles!!!! In N. America we see a traffic circle so seldom that we have no experience with them at all.
Learn what the jagged lines in the road mean. Learn what the chevron marks in the road mean. Learn how to handle a multi-lane traffic circle. learn the rules of Right of Way.
In just one short drive of 10 min. you may experience as many as 30 traffic circles. They don't use 4 way stop intersections, they don't have stop lights except in towns and cities and you won't even see a stop light at first because your used to looking in the wrong place.

Then, the final thing. Do not attempt to drive in a new and different place without a SatNav system. Do not forget to get one when you hire the car. Having that voice tell you "Turn right ahead, third exit" is so comforting.

You can get from anywhere to anywhere else in the UK with your "tom-tom". Use your map to plan your trip and the satnav to get there. It may not take you the way a local would go but you will get there. And you don't have to have a map flapping around in the car when your trying to watch the road.

Use Google Earth or Google Maps to plan your trip well in advance of your departure. List everywhere you would like to see. Then pare it down to those you must see. Then plan three or four alternates. And don't forget to plan and reserve your lodging well in advance. Relying on finding a room at the last moment at Public Houses, while quaint, is not always the best plan for a relaxing trip. You won't find a motel 6 at every off ramp.

[Pleater]

I never thought of the road signs being different - you would be advised to get a copy of the Highway code - I think it is available to download, so you are familiar with the road signs and symbols.

Pay particular attention to the yellow lines painted at the edges of roads in urban areas - two yellow lines means no parking at all, one line indicates restricted parking - there should be signs with more information at intervals.

Our TomTom has the voice of Yoda from Starwars. I find the syntax more comprehensible than standard English. 'Turn left, you must.' 'The roundabout you must cross the third exit you must take.' and so on - most reassuring.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[EagleJCS]

Just a small point. In the States you can turn right at a crossroads traffic light if it is red but there is no traffic about, is that right?

Most of the time, yes. Some municipalities have "No turn on RED" signage at some intersections (usually on a post at or near the corner on the right hand side of the road, occasionally hanging to the right of the lighted traffic signal). In those cases, there's usually a turn indicator - a green arrow - that indicates when it's OK to turn.

[BEEDEE]

Alan - as an alternative, last trip we made to Scotland we hired a camper van. Gave us all the freedom we wanted cause you can just stop by the road if you need to, although we used campsites. Didn't have to worry about B&Bs, hotels etc and never had a problem finding somewhere to park for the night.

We had a Peugeot diesel with a twin bed, toilet, shower and kitchen area (refrigerator and propane stove). Just perfect for the two of us.

Brian

[fluter]

I never thought of the road signs being different - you would be advised to get a copy of the Highway code - I think it is available to download, so you are familiar with the road signs and symbols.

Oh, yes indeed! All the signs are different, so do bone up ahead of time. A car rental place or travel agent can probably get you a helpful booklet.

My first trip, I just called Hertz to lay on a rental car. That was a financial mistake, but they mailed me a wonderful paperback book with everything you need to know about the rules and signage.

Now hearken to the Wizard:

Learn how to deal with Traffic Circles!!!!

Yup. They are highly efficient, but a bit different.

Then, the final thing. Do not attempt to drive in a new and different place without a SatNav system.

I have done very well with a passenger/navigator and an excellent road atlas. I would not try it without either a good navigator or a GPS system. You can get it with the rental car, and that's probably the best choice, even if it costs a bit more.

[Alan H]

So the way I'm doing this is different from most of you.

For example.... I ENJOY taking public transportation. So if I'm staying at some budget digs in Edinburgh, and it's a 20 minute train ride to the closest station to the thing I'm trying to get to, that's fine. A half hour walk bothers me not at all, in fact I like it. You see things and meet people walking that you'll never see on the train.

I am going to pack everything in an oversized travel suitcase that doubles as a large backpack. The luggage item I'll use has a pull-out handle and rollers, but it also goes on your back as a large backpack. I'm not loading on a mess of fancy clothes. If the sum total of my luggage weighs 35 pounds, that's about right.

So for example... In Edinburgh, I get to the hotel, and stay for three days. I'll pick someplace reasonably close to the local things I want to see. I will get around the City by municipal transit or my own two good legs.

After that, it's off to Inverness for the Masters Worlds of the Heavy Athletics. I expect I can take municipal transit to get to Inverness... possibly the Megabus? Two days in Inverness will be spent mostly at the Games. On the way up there I'd like to stop somewhere and have a day hike up in the Cairgorms. Not sure if I can do that on the Megabus. The day after the Games are over, I'd like to get to Culloden and the Aberlour distillery.

Next up....going all the way across the country to Inverary. Now, how to do that??? That's going to be tricky, I think. Perhaps the Megabus will suffice?

However, once I get to Inverary, Redshank, that gracious gentleman, has offered to take me about a bit. So that is fantastic, and He already knows the things I'm interested in. There's a day or most of one. Another day I'll hire a boat and row or sail or motor up to Dunderave, and on the way back stop at the froech eilean, which houses the even more ancient MacNaughton ruins. The third day in Inverary, I want to lace on boots and walk in the hills. I want to walk on the same ground that my ancestors walked on and maybe Kilneuair Church and pause for a while, knowing that my ancestors most probably worshipped there. Sheesh,I could spend a month just in Argyll. There is so much, bronze age sites, even. On the fourth day, I would sure like to meet a few people from the Commun Birlinn, if that group still is functioning. I would **Love** to get on board the Aileach.

I don't need a car for this. At least, I don't think so. I don't mind hiking 8-10 miles in a day.

Next up, down to the Borders, particularly Otterburn and Redesdale, which is the stomping grounds for my old Hall ancestors, as well as the Piercy family of Northumberland. Now, that's a long way to go and I'm not sure how to carry it off. I might need a car for that. However, I would love to rent a bicycle and bicycle around Redesdale and Otterburn. Works for me.

...and then back to Edinburgh and home again.

So for comparison....I can't walk 20 miles. But I have no problem whatsoever walking five miles, especially in a rural area, and I quite enjoy it and I don't perceive that as wasted time. I have no problem with bicycling 20 miles in a day, in fact I'd love it.

[Redshank]

Fear not Alan, Citylink will get you to and from the major places, and you can even book online in advance.

http://www.citylink.co.uk/destinations.php

Depending where you stay, but from Inveraray to Kilneuair is a bl**dy long walk there and back, save the old legs, I will drive you there, I think you will find the place moving in an emotional way, it's one of those places not on the tourist trail, not grand to look at, just a pile of stones and a tumble down wall, but knowing the history of the place, and having ancestors that could have worshiped there brings the place alive in ones mind.

Just to wet your appetite, here is the view from the ruins of the old church towards Loch Awe




Chris

[cavscout]

Also, do a short course in signs because their signs are not the same, and that can be a little confusing at first.

"The finger" means something different there!? Oh, Rooooad signs! Never mind

[sfb]

Coincidentally enough, we once came across a particularly odd road sign in Inveraray. Although it was maybe seasonal.