Our last day in Scotland passed by the golf courses of Turnberry and Troon, two more of the famous Scottish links courses. Links courses do not look like U.S. courses, no trees, hilly or lumpy greens, foxhole type bunkers and look like you're playing in a pasture. Out at Turnberry, sitting on the coast of the Irish sea, it was very windy, but, because it wasn't raining all the locals commented about what a nice day it was. Golfing in 30 mph winds is very tough golf, I don't care how brightly the sun is shining! We walked out to a lighthouse, through the course, had some tea at the clubhouse and enjoyed the scenery. It was a pretty special place to visit. The clubhouse had lots of pictures commemorating the championship held there when Tom Watson edged out Jack Nicholas.
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| This is normal |
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| Come Again and speed limit |
So a little on driving over here on the left. First, there are lots of cars we've never seen and models we know. Most are small, pickups are rare and the biggest SUV probably being the Landrover. The roads are narrow in town and big cars just wouldn't fit. It's bad enough when lorries (British for trucks) go by or pass on curvy, narrow roads. The hardest thing to remember is when turning right, you drive around or across the oncoming lane, then remember to stay in the left lane. Our car is a manual and we now shift with our left hand,which feels strange at first. At least the shift pattern is the same and the pedals are too. Road signs are interesting and most are "international" symbols but some we can't figure out. There are just 3 speed limits, called National speed limit and designated by a white circular sign with a black diagonal stripe thru it. Speed for the Motorways (M roads) is 70, 60 for others and in town 30. Most of the country roads have a 60 limit and it's almost impossible to go that fast as they are twisty and narrow. But I'm convinced the locals try. Occasionally, a town or village will post a slower speed. The streets in town are also for parking on, even though it is an active lane and not posted as no parking. So, you go around or wait till oncoming traffic passes then go in the other lane. And you can park any direction you want to. Crazy. In Scotland, some roads are single track, 1 lane, but at least there are passing places or turnouts and drivers are generally pretty cooperative. Most roads have parking turnouts, but we haven't seen one rest stop with a restroom. A lot of the country roads have hedges right to the edge, and there is a fence or rock wall inside the hedge! But the craziest thing we've come across was driving a stretch in England that each lane was about a car and a half wide, no line dividing it into two. And then the cars would pass you from behind, in your lane but not crossing into the oncoming lane. Not sure that was right.
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| Country road |
It has definitely been an experience and for the most part the driving is enjoyable because the scenery is incredible.
So a little on driving over here on the left. First, there are lots of cars we've never seen and models we know. Most are small, pickups are rare and the biggest SUV probably being the Landrover. The roads are narrow in town and big cars just wouldn't fit. It's bad enough when lorries (British for trucks) go by or pass on curvy, narrow roads. The hardest thing to remember is when turning right, you drive around or across the oncoming lane, then remember to stay in the left lane. Our car is a manual and we now shift with our left hand,which feels strange at first. At least the shift pattern is the same and the pedals are too. Road signs are interesting and most are "international" symbols but some we can't figure out. There are just 3 speed limits, called National speed limit and designated by a white circular sign with a black diagonal stripe thru it. Speed for the Motorways (M roads) is 70, 60 for others and in town 30. Most of the country roads have a 60 limit and it's almost impossible to go that fast as they are twisty and narrow. But I'm convinced the locals try. Occasionally, a town or village will post a slower speed. The streets in town are also for parking on, even though it is an active lane and not posted as no parking. So, you go around or wait till oncoming traffic passes then go in the other lane. And you can park any direction you want to. Crazy. In Scotland, some roads are single track, 1 lane, but at least there are passing places or turnouts and drivers are generally pretty cooperative. Most roads have parking turnouts, but we haven't seen one rest stop with a restroom. A lot of the country roads have hedges right to the edge, and there is a fence or rock wall inside the hedge! But the craziest thing we've come across was driving a stretch in England that each lane was about a car and a half wide, no line dividing it into two. And then the cars would pass you from behind, in your lane but not crossing into the oncoming lane. Not sure that was right.
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