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Isle of Tiree Photos >
Other Collections > Single Track Roads
on Tiree
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Single track road Balephetrish |

Single track road with passing place |
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Tiree has a network of mainly single track roads connecting the many little
townships of the Island. A single track road is simply what it says - a road
only wide enough for one vehicle. You can expect to take half an hour to
travel from one end of the island to the other.
Although covered in the Highway Code (rules 133-134), clearly many visitors
to Tiree haven't any previous experience of driving on single track roads
before! Meeting traffic newly arrived on the ferry can be a hazardous experience.
So it's probably worth a short explanation here. |
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Single track road Ruaig |

Single track road Mannal |
Passing places, which look like short lay-byes, are usually marked with signs
and/or black & white poles. They are provided very frequently along Tiree
roads. When driving or cycling you should be prepared to use these when
encountering other road users.
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Stop at a passing place to let oncoming traffic pass. Who does the
stopping is generally dictated by who is closest to the passing place. Don't
drive past the final one in the face of an oncoming vehicle who has almost
reached it. You'll be expected to reverse!
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Only enter a passing place on your left. If the first space is to
your right, stop opposite it and let the oncoming vehicle enter the space.
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Passing places are also there to enable following traffic to overtake.
With only single track roads there are no other places where you can
be overtaken. So if someone has come up behind you, pull into a passing place
and allow them to overtake. This isn't just courtesy, it's a legal obligation.
Those wanting past you could be volunteer fire fighters!
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Passing spaces aren't there for parking in. They should be kept clear.
All very straight forward. |
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Single track road Caolas |

Single track road Balemartine |
There will be instances where you find yourself following someone who is
going very slowly and just won't pull into a passing place to let you past.
They may be motivated by ignorance or arrogance. What should you do? The
answer is - probably not a lot! It isn't worth getting all worked up about.
You can, however, relieve frustration by playing a little game. Count the
number of passing places they drive past with you stuck behind them and keep
a little league of who's the worst driver around! Next time you see
them you can have the personal satifaction of thinking - ah, there goes the
3rd worst driver currently on the island.
Another aspect of driving on Tiree are sheep and cattle on the roads. Some
appear laidback, others nervous and ready to jump. Either way, some will
inevitably end up in front of you on the road! Keep an eye out for them and
drive slowly past. Calves and lambs are particularly at risk. |
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