If you're visiting from abroad, you'll need 'green card insurance' and should remember to also carry your car registration documentation with you. Holders of an overseas driving licence may, for a period of up to one year, drive a motor vehicle which the original licence authorises.

If you are planning on hiring a car when you get here, you should be aware that most car hire companies insist that the driver is over 23 and under 70 years old and has held a current driving licence for at least one year.

UK Speed Restrictions vary depending on the road type. The speed limit on a dual carriageway is 70mph/112 kmph. For single carriageways, the speed limit is 60mph/96 kmh and built up areas are 30mph/48 kmph, unless otherwise sign-posted. There are penalties for exceeding the speed limit.

By law it is compulsory to wear seat-belts in the front of any car and in the back if they have them.

At roundabouts, remember to give way to traffic that's on the roundabout, or that's approaching from the right.

Radio stations in Scotland broadcast details of road conditions throughout the day, with details of particular problems, accidents or emergencies. The local radio station for Ayrshire and the Isle of Arran is West Sound which broadcasts on 1035 MW and also 96.7FM.

Drink driving - The police strongly advise against drinking alcohol and driving afterwards. The penalties for drink-driving are severe and exactly the same for both residents and visitors.

Copies of the "Highway Code" are available from all major bookshops and will provide further information about driving in the UK.