CHAPTER 3.  RENTAL CARS, B-ROADS AND PETROL

The focus of this article is actually beyond those expected issues, looking at other equally important considerations that must be addressed on the roads of Scotland. 

Airports in both Glasgow and Edinburgh have representation from all the major worldwide rental car companies (Avis…www.avis.com; Hertz…www.hertz.com; National…www.nationalcar.com) along with some smaller companies known mostly within Scotland, England and Ireland.  This would also be applicable to those flying into London or Manchester.  Visitors traveling by train to Fort William will have very limited rental car options (including: Easy Drive…www.easydrivescotland.co.uk; Hawko Car Rental…www.visit-fortwilliam.co.uk/hawko) and should research companies in advance via the Internet.  Regardless of where one plans on obtaining a vehicle, reserving one in advance is a must.  Fortunately, with the advent of the internet – or traditional telephone reservations – it has never been easier to secure transportation.  However, there are numerous considerations to take into account.  First, transmissions are expensive luxuries.  On average, an automatic transmission in any vehicle will effectively double the rental fee (although there may be an affordable upgrade option at the counter, during pickup).  For those larger parties considering a rental minivan or van, there’s also bad news: they too come standard in automatic transmission models.  In the end it’s a financial choice – if not worrying about shifting with your left hand is worth paying double, then automatic transmission vehicles are the clear choice.  Those already fearful or tentative about being on the “wrong sides” of both the road and front seat would be wise to plan on reserving an automatic – it’s one less thing to worry about.

The other primary consideration regarding vehicles is insurance.  Renters should research this topic themselves, and should not make a decision based solely on what follows in this article.  In Scotland and England foreign automobile insurance will not provide coverage.  Those visiting from the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand need to provide their own coverage, and there are a mind boggling myriad of choices.  Certain rental car companies provide a base amount of insurance, but this varies and typically only provides very minimal coverage.  First and foremost, those planning a trip to Scotland should contact their credit card companies, to see what additional coverage might be granted when purchasing the rental with said card.  Some companies, such as American Express, provide specialized foreign rental car coverage for a small fee (about $20, which covers the entire rental period).  However, the basic minimal coverage provided by the rental car company and the supplemental credit card company coverage may still leave visitors more liable than they are accustomed to being.  Additionally, with third party automotive coverage it is likely that any immediate repair costs (tires, engine repairs) will be at your expense, initially, with compensation made to you months later.  The best course of action is to keep meticulous records, ask for all coverage policies and limits in writing, and always travel with copies of any related records.  Chances are visitors will eventually purchase some additional coverage from their rental car company.  There is nothing worse than being unprotected on the roads of a foreign country.    

Why is all that insurance coverage necessary?  Peace of mind, which is especially important when driving on the narrow B-roads in Scotland’s remote areas.  Visitors arriving by car will inevitably perform most of their long-distance travel on the A-roads, most likely the A-82 or A-86, and these are typically modern and somewhat wide thoroughfares.  However, once branching off from the Fort William, Banavie, Corpach and Spean Bridge areas narrow roads are a fact of life.  All approaches to Achnacarry are via B-roads, and although drivers will become accustomed to passing-place spots (when drivers from both directions must share a one-lane road) to pass one another, these roads warrant attention.  Tourists love to take photographs – after all, it’s a trip to Scotland, who wouldn’t bring their camera?  However, on B-roads a place to pull over must be carefully considered.  With narrow roads, one should locate a safe location to pull completely off the road, taking into careful consideration the stability of where the car is parked, the impact upon plant life, feelings of any land owners and whether it will be possible to leave the temporary parking location when finished (the West Highlands’ intermittent wet weather may mean mud).  Visitors should make a point of exploring the scenic B-roads of Lochaber (get off the highway to see the country whenever possible) but do remember to bring a detailed map.

All that driving requires petrol – or gas if you’d prefer.  In Scotland and England fuel is not cheap, and tourists need to brace themselves, as to avoid a wee bit of shock at the pumps.  Gasoline (converted from litres to gallons, with the latest exchange rate) can be priced as high as $8 (U.S.) per gallon.  With the current oil outlook, especially since the Middle East is in flux, prices are expected to increase.  A good share of the cost at the pumps is in the form of taxes, somewhere around 65 to 70% of the purchase price.  How much fuel will it take to attend the Gathering?  One has to remember that driving distances are not that large within Scotland.  From Glasgow’s airport, Fort William is only about two hours (100 miles) distant and Edinburgh’s airport is only an additional hour further (three hours, 130 miles), and both are mostly highway miles.  Once in Fort William (since the majority of lodging options are centered there) Achnacarry is a leisurely 12 mile drive, over a combination of the A-82 and scenic B-roads, and may be reached with about 20 minutes.  Those lodging in Spean Bridge have it even easier – under seven miles and about 10 minutes distant   As such, unless a number of side trips are planned, fuel costs should not have a major impact upon any traveler’s budget.

One final consideration must be taken, to ensure that one’s vacation does not take an unfortunate turn.  As in every country security concerns need to be addressed.  There are the occasional report of rental car windows being smashed, often at rural parking areas (for trails and outdoor recreation stops) and hotels.  The best way to prevent this from occurring is to place any personal items in the trunk of a rental car, well out of sight.  Additionally, on the way to any hotel stop it is advisable to limit stops, or at least arrange for any stops to occur in very public parking lots.  Once suitcases are safely stowed in a hotel room, then go out and discover the West Highlands.  There were no reports of such incidents during previous Clan Cameron Gatherings, but one must remember that – like in other countries – there are mischievous youths and the occasional opportunist in Scotland.           

Driving in Scotland is an absolute pleasure, with scenery that often stops one in their tracks.  By planning ahead, Gathering Guests will make the most out of their experience and bring back only positive memories.