Driving in the Highlands was a unique experience. We repeated our driving mantra daily as we started the car, “stay left, stay left.” The Highland roads came in two shoulder-less sizes: narrow and more narrow. The larger of the two, on which the traffic flowed between 60-70 mph, are the size of neighborhood roads in the US. The smaller and more common size of Highland road was the width of a driveway with “passing zones” spaced every 75 – 100 yards to allow the oncoming traffic to pass. Most locals traveled these single lane roads at 40-50 mph; expertly dodging the sheep, cows, bikers and walkers that commonly shared the roads.
We quickly developed a system of team driving with Chad focusing on the road and oncoming traffic and Lindsay giving warning on the road edge, upcoming sheep, cows or other obstacles close to or on the road. Driving in the Highlands was challenging and beautiful, we decided to go slower, yielding to the speedy locals, stopping often to take in the incredibly wild scenery.
One does wonder what improvements Cosmo Kramer could make if he were to adopt some miles of Highland roadways.
A Forever of Nows 