Signs in areas where we Yanks would expect only vehicular traffic may be positioned and/or sized for foot traffic.


The sign scenario I mentioned in Tip #3 was complicated by the fact that the one – and only – sign was about eight inches wide, two inches high, and about 18 inches off the ground. If we’d been walking, we no doubt would’ve seen it. But it was almost invisible to us while sitting in our car, traveling 35 mph. While 35 mph isn’t fast, it’s too fast to see such teensy little signs.

In general, signage is considerably smaller than the comparative billboards we’re accustomed to reading as we find our way in unfamiliar parts of the US. If you wear glasses or contacts, make sure you have your most current Rx in your glasses or contact lenses because, honey, you’re gonna need to SEE teensy little type as you’re driving down those B roads.

Dual carriageways, on the other hand, have signage comparable to our interstate signs – most of the time.

Get used to rubber-necking it. When you see the back of a sign on the opposite side of the road, as soon as you pass it, quickly whip around and read it.

We learned this the hard way on our first trip to Scotland. We must’ve driven the same road five times before we noticed one teeny little sign pointing the way. We’ve encountered this phenomenon many times. Don’t know if it’s misguided thriftiness, careless maintenance, or what.

Doesn’t matter: your job is to pay attention to ALL signs – the ones facing you and the ones facing the oncoming traffic. A sign facing oncoming traffic may be the only sign you’re going to find telling you where Castle —– is located.