Rent a car, but only as big as you need for you, your stuff, and anybody else going with you. Although the roads are not as tight as in Ireland they can still be tight in some places. And smaller means easier on gas, and believe me fuel prices in the UK are sky high compared to what we are used to lately here in the states. Petrol prices are listed by the litre so it may look comparable or even cheaper, but it isn't. Keep the tank above 1/4 full at all times, as you really never know where the next available petrol station will be unless you are along a major highway. Driving on the left side of the road is not hard but does take getting used to--shifting a 5speed with your LEFT hand, looking up left for your rear view mirror, remembering LEFT turn on red if available, parallel parking while looking over your LEFT shoulder, and most important of all, instead of the look Left-Right-Left rule here before turning, you have to get used to the look Right-Left-Right rule. A word for th wise---don't drive drunk, as many an american tourist has gotten sloshed and then driven on the wrong side of the road out of sheer habit, and caused many unfortunate accidents---talk to Matthew Broderick about this if you would like. Drive very consiously, be aware, and remember the roundabouts are all LEFT turns into and out of them. Last item on parking---public parking is rarely free, so if there is not a meter right in front of your parking spot go looking for a parking time ticket dispenser nearby on the section of the street to buy a ticket to put in your front window to cover how ever long you are going to be parked. Some places (main continent Europe mostly) use a small paper clock like thing to allow for two hour parking , for example, where you have to put the time you parked on the paper clock and put it in the front window so the passing parking nazis can know if you have overstayed your limit. Take your time, make sure to pull off the road a lot to take in the scenery and take pictures. It can be tough when you are concentrating on navigating strange territory in a strange car on the "wrong" side of the road and on some of the world's not greatest roads, especially in the country. Driving in the city combines all these issues simultaneously with the pressing busy traffic and little reaction time to read signage to figure out where you are going. If you can afford it pick up a GPS unit that includes Europe or at least the UK, and try to plug in your sights to see by address before starting out so you get some "local" help getting there.

You will be amazed at how many castles, small villages, distillleries, and other unique things there are to stop and see along the way, so don't expect to make great time on the roads from place to place. It is far too beautiful of a land to just blow by on the main highways. Signage is okay, particularly on the big roads, but you will find limited and not large signs directing you tofar more significant local sights to see----none of the big billboards or stupid rattlesnake farms or world's biggest ball of string type attractions along the roads like there are here in America, except maybe right around the cities----so most of the sight seeing signs are worth at least reading and considering a stop if it sounds interesting. There is so much around every corner out in the country that it sometimes seems impossible to see it all.

Good luck, enjoy the trip, and bring back lots of (kilted) pictures. I am going back myself for a golf vacation this August, but will be more restricted to areas to see time to see them by the golf schedule and our van driver. Wishing I had an extra week to just bum around the countryside. I envy you.

jeff