| The Hebrides are a group of islands off the West | | | | important that you understand some of the laws and |
| coast of Scotland in the United Kingdom from which | | | | traditions of the highway, especially when driving |
| a very large number of people left to settle in | | | | along the single track roads. Although the roads are |
| Canada and America when they were forcefully | | | | often empty of traffic there are times when you will |
| removed from their land during a time known as the | | | | be met by pockets of traffic. Locals will be aware of |
| 'clearances'. Today there are a great many people | | | | such times with the obvious being during the usual |
| who can trace their roots back to these islands which | | | | times when people travel to and from work but |
| has led to a steady increase in tourism. The Hebrides | | | | there are other times, such as when a ferry is due, |
| consist of two groups the Inner Hebrides, which | | | | when there will be more cars on the road. Always |
| include the Isle of Skye, and the Outer Hebrides, | | | | remain aware that there are people going about their |
| which include the Isle of Lewis and the adjoined Isle | | | | usual business and, at the earliest opportunity, allow |
| of Harris (often referred to as the Long Island) and | | | | any vehicles behind you to pass. Locals drive very |
| numerous other inhabited and uninhabited islands also | | | | fast because they know the roads well and, who |
| known as the Western Isles. | | | | knows, that car behind you could be racing to catch |
| The Outer Hebrides are well known for their areas of | | | | a ferry and as ferries to and around the Hebrides can |
| outstanding natural beauty which include some of the | | | | run as little as once every couple of days (in the |
| finest beaches you are likely to see in Europe | | | | winter) it is extremely important that they do not |
| (including those at Uig on Lewis and many on Harris). | | | | miss it. |
| They are also known for their ancient historical sites | | | | Along the single track roads you will see signs saying |
| of international importance with the most widely | | | | "Passing Place" they are small extensions to the road |
| known site being the standing stones at Callanish | | | | to help in overtaking and will be on the left or right |
| (now known as Calanais), on the West side of the | | | | hand side. To allow vehicles to pass safely you should |
| Isle of Lewis, which are considered as important as | | | | pull into the left at all passing places, pull into those on |
| Stonehenge and other stone circles in Europe. | | | | the left and pull up to the left when they are to the |
| Even more recent history has created a massive | | | | right as both oncoming traffic and that behind will |
| interest in the islands of the Outer Hebrides. St. Kilda | | | | drive into that passing place and around. Only pull into |
| is an archipelago which lies a fair distance from the | | | | one to the right if the vehicle wishing to pass is very |
| Isle of Harris far out in the Atlantic Ocean which | | | | large or long and would find it difficult to pass |
| where famously evacuated in the early twentieth | | | | otherwise. Always indicate early. If you have both |
| century. Their society has long been of interest to | | | | oncoming traffic and some behind pull in and those |
| scientists as it was run in an almost communist | | | | behind will pull in behind you but keep your indicator |
| fashion where almost everything was communally | | | | on so that when the oncoming traffic has passed the |
| shared. It is still possible to visit Hirta (the main island) | | | | traffic behind will know to pull out and overtake. |
| but this depends heavily upon the severity of the | | | | There is simply nothing more annoying than driving in |
| weather as the Hebrides are, at times, extremely | | | | the Hebrides stuck behind a car driven by tourists |
| windy. | | | | that are driving slow while taking in the sights and |
| Driving in the Hebrides is a pleasure beyond words | | | | over using their brakes when they spot something of |
| with some of the finest driving in the whole of the | | | | interest. Always keep an eye out for oncoming |
| UK. So good is the experience that the popular UK | | | | traffic but also consider those that may appear |
| television series about cars called 'Top Gear' have | | | | behind. |
| been known to travel there to record driving scenes. | | | | When you are driving in the Hebrides there are times |
| If you have never visited the Outer Hebrides prepare | | | | when the road simply disappears before you, it might |
| yourself to be amazed, although the roads have | | | | be a blind summit, a sharp bend or a winding road |
| been massively improved over the last few decades, | | | | carved through a hillside or, sometimes a mixture. |
| much of the road system consists of single track | | | | You should approach all such obstacles very slowly |
| road which twists and winds up, down and around | | | | keeping as far left as possible. Please be aware that |
| the islands passing through varied, but always | | | | you should avoid pulling off the road as there is, |
| breathtaking, scenery. Awe inspiring mountains, | | | | more often than not, a drop and, in some cases, the |
| beautiful lochs, spectacular beaches, small villages, | | | | drop can be extreme. Also the ground on either side |
| ancient sites, incredible and rare wildlife are just a | | | | of the road is very rough and even off road vehicles |
| few of the things you will experience along your | | | | can struggle. There may be times when you meet an |
| journey. One of the most winding roads is to be | | | | oncoming vehicle between passing places, if you are |
| found on Harris and is known as the 'Golden Road' | | | | certain that it is safe you may attempt to pull far left |
| and, if you can handle a car well it is well worth | | | | but it is best to reverse back to the nearest passing |
| traveling down. | | | | place to allow the vehicle to pass. |
| Before driving in the Hebrides it is extremely | | | | |