Hello to All Listers! Just wondering if someone on the list can give me some driving tips as I'm from Canada and we drive on the opposite side of the road? I'm used to driving a standard or stick shift which is one advantage. Last year some kind soul on the list sent me an email with 'driving tips' but shortly after that my hard drive on my notebook computer was erased due to 'static electricity' from my carpet. And on top of that I had to postpone my trip to this year. Appreciate any help or suggestions, Diana in British Columbia, Canada

Hi Diana, Hugh's suggested site is good but here are a few more mundane tips from someone who has "been there, done that." I'd say, unless you are the type to panic easily, a stick shift is fine. If you do tend to panic, go for the automatic -- it's one less thing to think about! The list of terms missed out my favorite two: "Caution oncoming traffic in middle of road." The first time we saw that, I was a bit alarmed. It translates to Canadian "Narrow bridge ahead". Also fascinating "Heavy plant crossing" -- NOT a mobile rubber tree -- "Trucks turning" The trick, of course, is just to keep LEFT -- and remember to pull LEFT when there is oncoming traffic (in any part of the road). I found remembering to keep the passenger to the curb (kerb) helped. I also found I could do the dangerous turn to the right by saying "It's a left turn" -- that is, you are crossing traffic. Roundabouts are great -- if you miss your exit, go round again. Driving on Islay is pretty easy. Glasgow and Edinburgh are a challenge -- lots of traffic. Mostly, keep very alert. UK drivers are darned good but they are also FAST so you need to be aware -- especially when getting onto motorways. That car in the rearview may be coming much faster than you think. Green with envy, Dixie (also in BC) > Hello to All Listers! > > Just wondering if someone on the list can give me some driving tips as I'm > from Canada and we drive on the opposite side of the road? > > I'm used to driving a standard or stick shift which is one advantage. > > Last year some kind soul on the list sent me an email with 'driving tips' but > shortly after that my hard drive on my notebook computer was erased due to > 'static electricity' from my carpet. > > And on top of that I had to postpone my trip to this year. > > Appreciate any help or suggestions, > Diana in British Columbia, Canada > > > ==== SCT-ISLAY Mailing List ==== > To find Vital Statistics for islay from the earliest records to 1875 visit: > HTTP://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~tlarson/bdm/ >

Hi Diana. Try this site http://www.alltraveluk.com/Tourism/Scotland/Car_Rental/Driving_Tips.htm All The Best Hugh. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Diana" <dianado@shaw.ca> To: <SCT-ISLAY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2006 5:37 PM Subject: [SCT-ISLAY] I'll Be Visiting Islay & Need Driving Tips > Hello to All Listers! > > Just wondering if someone on the list can give me some driving tips as I'm > from Canada and we drive on the opposite side of the road? > > I'm used to driving a standard or stick shift which is one advantage. > > Last year some kind soul on the list sent me an email with 'driving tips' > but shortly after that my hard drive on my notebook computer was erased > due to 'static electricity' from my carpet. > > And on top of that I had to postpone my trip to this year. > > Appreciate any help or suggestions, > Diana in British Columbia, Canada > > > ==== SCT-ISLAY Mailing List ==== > To find Vital Statistics for islay from the earliest records to 1875 > visit: > HTTP://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~tlarson/bdm/ > > >

Hi Diana Of course, my number one recommendation is to take me with you and I'll do the driving! *smile* A site that might help http://gouk.about.com/cs/trave1/a/driving.htm I did most of the driving while in Scotland the last time (automatic drive) and didn't have any problem. Remember that you the driver are always on the side of the car closest to the middle of the road. That works both here and in the UK. Actually after driving there for weeks, I had a couple of times after returning home that I had to think about that especially on narrow roads without markings *grin*.. A word of warning about the stick shift - I don't drive standard so the first time we went over my husband did all the driving. The stick shift is on the left and that takes a bit of practise. The key thing to remember on the narrow one lane roads is to watch for the red and white striped poles that indicate a pull over place when there is oncoming traffic and NEVER pull into the pull over on the right side of the road. If the pole is on the right side, it's the other driver who pulls over and you might have to slow down to allow them time to do that. A friendly wave is generally shared. If you are only driving on Islay only - no sweat. The road between Port Ellen and Bowmore is across the peat bogs and since it's so straight you might be inclined to speed a bit but don't since it's "wavy" up and down in places. Be extra cautious at night especially around the top of the bay between Port Charlotte and Bridgend where there's always cattle or sheep - the cattle and sheep have the right of way - slower is the way to go. If you are driving off Islay, without fail buy yourself an AA Road Atlas of Great Britain (more minor road detail) or RAC Road Atlas Britain (easier to find things in the book). Not only is it invaluable while there (both include city maps), but it's useful genealogically speaking afterwards. If you are driving from Glasgow, make plans to stop at the Rest and Be Thankful with a picnic lunch - it's fantastic. I've been there 7 times now in every kind of weather which determines the "feel" of the place. Out of Glasgow, you'll either go on the A814 through Helensburgh (slow but picturesque) or go A82 (faster and also picturesque - both roads connect with the A83 which takes you over to Inverary and down to Tarbert where you catch the ferry to Islay. The Rest and Be Thankful is a large parking area 1-2 hours along from where the road connects to A83. The road (a good road) climbs around one side of a mountain beside a long glen and circles around the other side of the mountain. There are no facilities there but there is an information centre BEFORE you start up the mountain where there are restrooms and souvenirs. Be forwarned that it's a good 7-8 hr drive from Glasgow to Tarbert and I prefer booking a B&B at Tarbert to catch the ferry the following morning. You MUST have ferry reservations. Also it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving anywhere in the UK. Enjoy your trip Diana! Wish I were going too. Cheerio Sue Visser Ontario, Canada

There is no need to be apprehensive about driving in Islay, Scotland or anywhere in England either. In 2002 I rented cars and drove around Islay, parts of Argyle, and from Oxford to Romsey, to Ilminster to Mevagissy in Cornwall, to Gloucsester and back to Leamington Spa and Stratford. I found all the UK drivers very courteous, polite and helpful. I was told about the dangers of the motorway but really as long as you keep left you should be fine. The only thing that did bother me was the very narrow little lanes and streets in some villages when confronted by a 4x wheel-drive vehicle coming the other way. Sometimes you had to back a bit to get past. There aren't many cars on Islay unless they've increased 10 fold in the last 4 years. Have a happy time- I envy you. Celia.