HOW TO GET HERE

From Glasgow

Take the M8 from Glasgow past the Airport, cross the Erskine Bridge (toll 60p) to take the A82 up Loch Lomond to Tarbet where you bear left onto the A83 through Arrochar and Inverary to Lochgilphead where you bear right onto the Oban road (A816). You take this road for about 2 miles and bear left where you see the first signpost for Tayvallich past the Cairnbaan Hotel and after a few yards cross the bridge over the Crinan Canal and turn right for about 3 miles through Bellanoch and turn left where you see the sign for Tayvallich. A 2-way road follows for about 2 miles but at the right fork for Tayvallich the road narrows to a  single track with passing-places only, and do take care, as this section is very twisty.

 You have been driving for about 2 hours since passing Glasgow Airport and probably  need a drink or a meal at The Tayvallich Inn which is unmistakable just after your entrance to the village. If you are heading for Carsaig, pass the Inn and after a few hundred yards take first right at the sign for Carsaig just before the Village Shop. Carsaig Bay is ½ mile up this road.

From Edinburgh

Coming from Edinburgh the fastest route is to take the Glasgow Road past Edinburgh Airport and at the Newbridge Roundabout take the M9. Drive past Stirling and take a left at Junction 11 on the B824, pass Doune Safari Park and then take a left to Gargunnock on the B8075, and then take a right onto the A811 through Arnprior and Buchlyvie. Soon after Buchlyvie you cross the A81 but simply turn left for a few yards and then turn right still on the A811 until you come to Balloch where you drive through three roundabouts still on the A811 but at the third roundabout take the turn-off to Loch Lomond on the A82. Stay on the A82 up Loch Lomond to Tarbet where you bear left onto the A83 through Arrochar and Inverary to Lochgilphead where you bear right onto the Oban road (A816). You take this road for about 2 miles and bear left where you see the first signpost for Tayvallich past the Cairnbaan Hotel and after a few yards cross the bridge over the Crinan Canal and turn right for about 3 miles through Bellanoch and turn left where you see the sign for Tayvallich. A 2-way road follows for about 2 miles but at the right fork for Tayvallich the road narrows and is passing- place only, and do take care, as this section is very twisty. You have been driving for about 2 hours and 40 minutes since passing Edinburgh Airport and almost certainly need a drink or a meal at The Tayvallich Inn which is unmistakable just after your entrance to the village. If you are heading for Carsaig, pass the Inn and after a few hundred yards take first right at the sign for Carsaig just before the Village Shop. Carsaig Bay is ½ mile up this road.

Driving on Single Track Roads

Driving these roads requires thought and concentration. There are usually plenty of passing places (but they can get fewer and further between on more minor roads), and these are usually, but not always, marked with one of the signs shown on the left or with the striped pole also shown. But unless you want to make yourself very unpopular, remember that these are passing and not parking places.

The trick on single track roads is to drive with a combination of consideration and assertiveness. In an ideal world, vehicles approaching one another should adjust their speeds so as to meet at a passing place. That way neither waits for the other, and both proceed at best speed.

Bear in mind that if the passing place is on the right and you reach it first, stop on the left side of the road opposite the passing place: pulling across to the right is as good a way to lose your no-claims bonus as any. Also bear in mind the - not always well respected - convention that traffic going downhill should try to be considerate to traffic going uphill.

You can't always see far enough ahead on these roads to plan well in advance, and the judgement can be a fine one. So think ahead, look as far ahead as possible, be prepared to give way and wait, and be equally prepared to be positive. But when approaching that blind bend or summit, bear in mind one thought: if you met yourself coming the other way, could you both stop? And always remember the next corner could conceal an oncoming refuse truck or articulated lorry full of fish. Or a flock of sheep on the road.

There's a point of view that suggests that we tourists ought to be more prepared to give way to people making their living by driving these roads, and we've got a lot of sympathy for that. You should also bear in mind that the driver of the white transit coming towards you probably doesn't own his van, and therefore probably cares less about it than you do about your car. This, too, argues in favour of a conservative approach. But not a timid one: if you're timid on these roads you could be in for some very, very slow journeys.

Finally, don't let your concentration on what's coming the other way stop you keeping a close watch on your mirror. If someone comes up behind you, they're obviously travelling the road faster than you are. You should use a passing place to pull over and let them through. This is more than simple courtesy: the road signs on the right emphasise the point. And anyway, it is much more comfortable travelling these roads without that same white transit van sitting on your rear bumper.

Driving single track roads can be hard work, but they are part of the character of the Highlands and Islands. Think ahead and pay attention, and try not to be distracted by the stunning scenery in which so many of them are found.