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How hard will it be to drive across Scotland in a manual transmission car?

Posted on 12/14/22 at 10:54 pm
Posted by weagle99
Member since Nov 2011
35893 posts
Posted on 12/14/22 at 10:54 pm
Going next year, plan to start in Edinburgh and drive all the way north to do some bird hunting for a few days, and then return. I know how to drive a manual but have never done it left handed. Plus I have never driven on the left side of the road.

Is this a bad plan? There was a similar thread about this awhile back but I can’t find it.

Thanks!
Posted by Volt
Ascension Island, S Atlantic Ocean
Member since Nov 2009
3113 posts
Posted on 12/15/22 at 2:36 am to
Driving on the left side of the road is an awkward feeling initially. The question is how long of a time is that going to be?

I had been driving for several months on the left side here (Ascension Island - an English territory where I've been working off and on for a year), and I thought that I would do fine in Ireland a few months ago. I did, until I came up on a very busy 4-lane intersection with turning lanes in both directions. They're red light/traffic lights confused me. I almost screwed up big time.

I drove a large panel van (left hand manual) from Galway to Dingle, around the peninsula and back over 3+ days. Roads are small all over the UK. I only had the driver's side mirror get pushed in once by some vines that were literally hanging over the road. I also spent a week in Scotland on the same trip, but did not drive. Roads are small there too.

I would not want my first time to drive on the left with left hand manual to be in and around any cities. Even here, something I still have to concentrate on is when coming up on a T, looking left and right, I still want to look in the wrong lane for approaching traffic.

You have to keep 100% focus on the road, traffic, etc. and, perhaps most importantly, keep telling yourself "stay on the left, stay on the left". Yes, I thought this for weeks and for a few days when I first returned here (AI).

Funny thing, the first time I came back to LA and got in my truck, I started to turn into the left lane.
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22717 posts
Posted on 12/15/22 at 7:20 am to
Are the gas, breake clutch same arrangement as in us.

Shift lever worked by left hand?
Posted by Nature Boy
Negatiger
Member since Jan 2008
19048 posts
Posted on 12/15/22 at 7:23 am to
Had to do this once on the only overseas trip we’ve taken so far. Hadn’t driven a manual in years and had to jump right into a tiny arse go cart sized economy car, stick on the left hand, steering wheel on the right. Felt utterly fricked up at first but ended up just fine. Just make sure you start off with a little practice in a parking lot or something to get the feel of it, especially the clutch, then stay very focused and pay attention. You can do it but you can’t take it for granted like you would driving normally. You’ll have the hang of it fully within a day or two.
Posted by Nature Boy
Negatiger
Member since Jan 2008
19048 posts
Posted on 12/15/22 at 7:24 am to
quote:

Are the gas, breake clutch same arrangement as in us. Shift lever worked by left hand?


Yes
Posted by slinger1317
Northshore
Member since Sep 2005
6550 posts
Posted on 12/15/22 at 7:53 am to
Spent a week in Ireland last year. Opted for the automatic.
I know how to drive a standard but with all of the confusion with driving on the left I sure wasn’t going to add shifting with my left hand into the mix.
Posted by Tigre85
Louisiana
Member since Feb 2019
2040 posts
Posted on 12/15/22 at 7:53 am to
Was in Scotland 5 years ago , go after pheasants . They are everywhere .
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
124026 posts
Posted on 12/15/22 at 9:04 am to
Its hard to find them, but you can find automatics.

I personally would not want to drive at all in UK places, let alone a manual.
This post was edited on 12/15/22 at 9:05 am
Posted by Pepperoni
Mar-a-Lago
Member since Aug 2013
3908 posts
Posted on 12/15/22 at 10:46 am to
It's a bad plan IMHO.

My neighbor went there in '03, he rented a 5-speed Renault and was stuck on a roundabout for about a day and half
:)
Posted by AUFANATL
Member since Dec 2007
4659 posts
Posted on 12/15/22 at 1:11 pm to

Sounds dangerous.

One thing I would recommend is that if you know you are going to be spending time in the highlands or rural areas then see if you can take a bus or train up and then rent the car there where the roads are less crowded. Trying to navigate through Edinburgh or Glasgow sounds like a nightmare. Windy country roads, not as much.
Posted by soccerfüt
Location: A Series of Tubes
Member since May 2013
70349 posts
Posted on 12/16/22 at 2:47 pm to
Spring for the automatic, I've got thousands of miles driving on the left side in the UK, Ireland, & the Caribbean and I would NOT try to drive a manual transmission car there.

Many of the roads there are tighter dimensions than here and a very unforgiving (high kerbs, stone fences, narrow lanes, etc.)

Navigating is also tough there. You certainly don't know where you're going.

Your natural driving instincts are messed up and then you want to add one more unnatural variable into the equation?



This post was edited on 12/16/22 at 2:48 pm
Posted by TigerAlumni2010
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2011
4670 posts
Posted on 12/16/22 at 3:00 pm to
quote:

Spring for the automatic, I've got thousands of miles driving on the left side in the UK, Ireland, & the Caribbean and I would NOT try to drive a manual transmission car there.

Many of the roads there are tighter dimensions than here and a very unforgiving (high kerbs, stone fences, narrow lanes, etc.)

Navigating is also tough there. You certainly don't know where you're going.

Your natural driving instincts are messed up and then you want to add one more unnatural variable into the equation?



I agree with this, it's already difficult adjusting to driving on the wrong side of the road.
Posted by Gaston
Dirty Coast
Member since Aug 2008
41208 posts
Posted on 12/16/22 at 3:48 pm to
All I know is that you don’t have a hair on your arse of you don’t try.
Posted by Pelican fan99
Lafayette, Louisiana
Member since Jun 2013
37769 posts
Posted on 12/16/22 at 5:29 pm to
I'm sure it will be fine and you'll get the hang of it pretty much right away but I don't think I would rent a car over there. Even riding in a taxi in places like that freaks me out I know I'd have a brain fart and get in a huge wreck at some point
Posted by soccerfüt
Location: A Series of Tubes
Member since May 2013
70349 posts
Posted on 12/16/22 at 6:11 pm to
It’s not that bad. The driver’s seat is on the right-hand side of the car, subliminally that’s a pretty good cue for me.

I draw the line at driving in Japan though. In addition to it being on the “wrong” side of what we are used to, the signage is all in a script I can’t read.

And it’s a Type A country that doesn’t do well making allowances for foreigner who can’t/won’t strictly follow their rules (like they do).

Plus the taxis, trains, and other public transportation are clean, fast, and efficient there.
Posted by Templar Knight
Member since Oct 2022
42 posts
Posted on 12/18/22 at 8:42 am to
I did it and will never do it again. The oncoming traffic feels like they are going to head on you. Driving on the other side is very difficult to get used to. You will keep running into the side walls of the road. If you do this make sure you purchase the rental insurance. They check the tires to make sure they are not damaged. Apparently, it happens quite often. If there is a small divet in the rubber you will be charged for new tires.
Posted by weagle99
Member since Nov 2011
35893 posts
Posted on 12/19/22 at 1:03 pm to
Thanks everyone for the comments. Good info and feedback
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
22475 posts
Posted on 12/19/22 at 2:18 pm to
quote:

Are the gas, breake clutch same arrangement as in us.

Shift lever worked by left hand?


Yes, but what I always personally thought is weird is that 1st gear is on the top left still. So you go from America where first gear is top and closet to you, to it being top and furthest away in the UK. Same thing with reverse, bottom right.

I don't know it just seemed more natural for first and reverse to be..reversed.

Outside of that OP, DON'T drive the first day or two when you are still going to be jet lagged. But once you have slept driving over there is a lot of fun and you get used to it quickly.

Round a bouts are easy as hell because there's usually another car to help you out.

What I found was tough was anytime the road was quiet and taking a right. Because you cross the first lane and that's where I would routinely look the wrong way. Again I say quiet because its very simple when its busy and you have cars to follow.
Posted by RonFNSwanson
1739 mi from the University of LSU
Member since Mar 2012
23818 posts
Posted on 12/19/22 at 2:36 pm to
I drove a manual all around Ireland. It was no issue at all. But I own and drive a manual vehicle every day.

The hardest part is the city driving on the wrong side of the road. Just have to slow down and think before you act.
Posted by RockyMtnTigerWDE
War Damn Eagle Dad!
Member since Oct 2010
107226 posts
Posted on 12/19/22 at 3:59 pm to



Just rent one of these and you will be fine
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