Driving single-track roads in Scotland

Much of the Highlands and islands is served by roads one car wide, with passing places every few hundred metres. They are not dangerous if you know the rules, and they are a big part of why journeys take longer than the map suggests.

Last checked 11 November 2026. Timetables, prices and opening dates change: check the operator before you travel.

How passing places work

Passing places are short widened sections, usually marked with a white diamond or a square sign reading "Passing Place". They are used both to let oncoming traffic pass and to let following traffic overtake.

• If the passing place is on your left, pull into it and wait.
• If it is on your right, stop on your side of the road opposite it, so the oncoming driver can pull into it. Do not cross over into a passing place on the right.
• Whoever is nearer to a passing place generally gives way, regardless of who "should".
• Traffic going uphill often has a harder time restarting; if you are going downhill, be ready to give way.
• A raised hand or a nod says thanks. Everyone does it.

Let people overtake

If a vehicle is behind you, pull into the next passing place on your left and let it by. Local drivers, delivery vans, buses and emergency vehicles know the road and need to get on. The Highway Code asks you to do this, and it makes the road safer for everyone. You will enjoy the drive more without someone close behind you.

Never park in a passing place

Not for a photograph, not for a minute. A parked car blocks the only place two vehicles can pass, and on a busy summer day it can bring the road to a standstill. Use laybys and car parks, even if they are a short walk from the view.

Realistic speeds

On a quiet single-track road a sensible average is about 25 to 35 mph; on a busy one in summer, or on twisting sections with blind summits, it can drop to 20 mph or less. Route planners assume more. As a rule of thumb, add 30% to the time a navigation app gives for a mostly single-track journey, and more if you plan to stop.

Hazards to expect

• Sheep and cattle on unfenced roads. They step out without warning; lambs in spring are especially unpredictable. Highland cattle do not move for anyone.
• Deer, particularly at dusk and dawn, and especially in autumn and winter.
• Blind summits and bends. Slow down so you can stop in the distance you can see.
• Soft verges. Do not pull on to the grass to pass; you may get stuck or damage the edge.
• Cyclists and walkers, who have every right to the road.
• Ice and snow in winter, and roads that are not gritted.

Motorhomes and caravans

Large vehicles struggle on single-track roads and on passes such as the Bealach na Bà to Applecross, where caravans and large motorhomes are advised not to go. If you drive one, pull in often to let traffic pass, use campsites rather than laybys, and plan your route around roads that suit the vehicle.

Fuel and phone signal

Fuel stations can be 50 miles or more apart in Sutherland, Wester Ross and on the islands, and some close in the evening or on Sundays. Fill up when you are below half a tank. Mobile signal is patchy; download offline maps before you set off.