Facing What Scares You, Frees You
Today I took a day trip from Oban to the Isle of Mull—and then onward to the tiny Isle of Iona. None of it went according to plan—and that turned out to be just right.
My original plan was to take a guided tour: show up, follow along, have someone else keep track of ferry times and buses, and most importantly—not drive. Because I’m only on day three of driving on the “wrong” side of the road, and while my little Mini Cooper makes it manageable, the thought of driving it onto a giant ferry and then across Mull on single-track roads—in the rain, no less—made me nervous.
The Fear of Single-Track Roads
So what’s single tracking? It’s especially common all across Scotland, though not something I’d really encountered in the U.S. A two-way road that’s only wide enough for one car. Drivers use designated “passing places” to let each other by—simple enough once you get the hang of it.
Proper etiquette means you only pull into passing places on your left, or stop opposite one on your right so the other driver can use it. Outsiders sometimes mess this up, trying to be helpful and pull into the right-side space—confusing everyone. And if you overshoot the last passing place, you have to back up. Gah. Sounds stressful, right?
But the reality? Scottish drivers couldn’t be kinder. Everyone waves while passing. It’s lovely.
Choosing to Drive Anyway
When I found out the tour was sold out, my only choice was to drive. And I wasn’t going to chicken out. Too many what-ifs. Too many times in life when I let fear stop me. So I went for it.
And honestly? It was easier than I thought. I’d done something similar in Ireland years ago, with a bigger car and a ferry crossing. So I reminded myself I could handle it—and I did.
Driving across Mull, I got plenty of practice on single-track roads in the rain, met more sheep and Highland cows (aka, hairy coos) than cars, and still managed to catch the second ferry on time.
Iona Nunnery — Isle of Iona, Scotland
Wandering Iona
From Mull, I boarded the little walk-on ferry to the Isle of Iona. Unlike rainy Mull, Iona invited me to slow down: I wandered the island, took in the history, snapped photos, and chatted with some friendly locals. While still rainy, it was peaceful, welcoming, and worth braving the nerves to get there.
Moral of the Story
The moral? Fear only has the power you give it. Once you let go, things usually fall into place. And if they don’t, you adapt. Flexibility is part of the journey.
Facing what scares you really does free you.