But There's Only One Lane!

A single track road is one where traffic in both directions has to share a single lane that is only wide enough for one vehicle at a time.

The main routes across Skye and on the nearby Mainland are almost entirely good modern dual track (i.e. one lane in each direction) roads, however parts of the main road in Sleat and almost all side roads are still single track.

On single track roads there are frequent passing places (usually every 50-200 yards, though sometimes further apart). Passing places are made by widening the road to one side or other depending on the available space and the whim of the road builder.

Most often the approaching cars see each other in good time and are able to meet and pass at the passing place. If a couple of cars meet elsewhere one of the cars needs to reverse to the last passing place; which car reverses depends on large number of factors: proximity of a passing place, size & type of vehicle, number of vehicles and just plain "nerve".

The key things to remember are:

When using a passing place keep to the correct side of the road (i.e. the left) and only pull into the extra width if it is on "your" side of the road. If the extra width is on the other side, stay on your own side and expect the other driver to use the extra width to drive "around" you.

This may sound obvious, but I can assure you that it can be heart stopping if an oncoming driver fails to appreciate this rule and pulls across onto the piece of road you are heading for!
Remember that passing places are also there to allow for following traffic to overtake, so keep checking your rear view mirror and if someone has come up behind you and seems to want to pass, pull into a convenient passing place and allow them to overtake.

I have occasionally been stuck behind people for 10 miles or more because they didn't follow this simple courtesy.

Just common sense really.

Finally a warning about sheep. In many Highland and Island areas sheep are free to roam and roadsides are unfenced. Sheep may look soft & fluffy but a collision between a car & a sheep is unlikely to do either party much good, so keep a sharp eye out and never assume that sheep (& especially lambs) are going to behave sensibly!

Enjoy your driving.

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