Planning our first trip to Scotland - Need your help!

[Jock Scot]

Thanmuwa, as have others, has made good points. Scottish roads in the highlands do not allow for high speed travel.It might say 50 miles on the sign post or map, but do not make the mistake of thinking you will do that in about an hour! Narrow twisty roads,traffic, fellow visitors, dawdling, looking at the view, people on the wrong side of the road(OH YES!),lorries and caravans that are impossible to overtake, sheep and cattle in the road,cyclists and the list goes on! Allow plenty of time anyway as you may need to stop often to admire the view.

A plea from a local! When driving in the highlands, PLEASE look in your mirrors often and if you see a stream of traffic behind you (5 cars or more) PULL OVER AT THE FIRST SAFE PLACE AND LET THEM PASS.

[Sir William]

...Scottish roads in the highlands do not allow for high speed travel.It might say 50 miles on the sign post or map, but do not make the mistake of thinking you will do that in about an hour! Narrow twisty roads,traffic, fellow visitors, dawdling, looking at the view, people on the wrong side of the road(OH YES!),lorries and caravans that are impossible to overtake, sheep and cattle in the road,cyclists and the list goes on! Allow plenty of time anyway as you may need to stop often to admire the view.
....

I would second that for the Borders as well. The 18 mile B road between Hawick and Newcastleton took me about 45 minutes in daylight and about an hour in at night (no moon), though the locals seemed to do in half the time. On one side was usually a stone wall and on the other a ditch, which made it really interesting when a lorrie (truck) passed going the opposite direction, even with the occasional pullover to allow passing vehicles.