‘Drive on the left’ sign at England-Scotland border baffles drivers

Drivers making their way between Scotland and England can be forgiven for doing a double-take when they spot one particular road sign close to the border.

The sign carries the instruction “Drive on the left”, accompanied by a blue arrow directing motorists towards the correct side of the road, despite the entire Great British mainland driving on the left.

So anyone travelling south from Scotland into Northumberland, or north across the border, does not suddenly need to swap sides of the carriageway.

The ‘drive on the left’ sign at the Northumberland/Scotland border (Image: GOOGLE)

The unusual-looking reminder can appear as though motorists are being warned about a dramatic change in the rules of the road when, in reality, nothing changes at all.

But there is a perfectly sensible and simple explanation.

The signs are designed with international visitors in mind, particularly tourists who may be more accustomed to driving on the right-hand side of the road.

The sign at the border gives the instruction not only in English but also in German, Italian, French and Spanish, making its intended audience fairly clear.

And official advice from Traffic Scotland similarly stresses that “overseas visitors should remember to keep left when setting off or rejoining a road after stopping for fuel, a rest or sightseeing.”

The sign is one of the best-known routes between the North East and Scotland: the A68 at Carter Bar, high in the Cheviot Hills.

The road crosses the England–Scotland border before continuing north towards Jedburgh, while Carter Bar itself has become a popular stopping point thanks to its sweeping views and prominent border markers.

Motorists are greeted by a large “Welcome to Scotland – Fàilte gu Alba” sign when heading north, while the border viewpoint has long provided a photo opportunity for travellers.

Against that backdrop, the “drive on the left” instruction can look particularly amusing.

For British motorists, the message amounts to something close to: keep doing what you were already doing.

For visitors stepping back into a hire car after stopping at the border, however, the reminder could be considerably more useful.