ISLE OF SKYE TOURIST BOARD – VISITOR GUIDANCE No.23

THE HIGHLAND (WEE) WAVE Visitors driving on Skye will quickly encounter one of the most important and least formally documented parts of Highland road etiquette: The Wave. This is not a large enthusiastic gesture. It is not a royal wave. It is not both hands in the air. If both hands are in the air, something has already gone wrong. The Highland Wave is a small acknowledgement between drivers, usually after somebody has pulled into a passing place, reversed half a mile, waited patiently, or otherwise prevented a minor diplomatic incident. ▪️HOW TO DO IT The standard technique is simple. Keep both hands on or near the steering wheel. Raise one or two fingers approximately half an inch. Lower them again. That is enough. If performed correctly, an entire conversation has taken place. It means: “Thanks.” “No bother.” “Seen you.” “Appreciated.” “Carry on.” And occasionally: “You took your time, but we’ll say no more about it.” ▪️THE FULL HAND WAVE A full hand raised from the steering wheel indicates a higher level of gratitude. This is appropriate when somebody has: Reversed a considerable distance. Waited for several vehicles. Pulled partly into a ditch. Moved sheep. Or sacrificed a wing mirror for the greater good. Do not overuse it. Standards must be maintained. ▪️THE INDEX FINGER A single raised index finger from the steering wheel is the classic Highland form. It is economical. Efficient. Aerodynamic. And requires almost no emotional commitment. Visitors may initially mistake this for indifference. It is, in fact, warmth. Highland warmth. ▪️THE TWO-FINGER VARIANT Two fingers may be raised where the driver wishes to convey slightly greater appreciation. This is particularly common where the other person has stopped early enough to avoid forcing both vehicles into an unnecessarily complex reversing exercise. Care should be taken with finger selection. Certain arrangements have meanings not covered by Tourist Board guidance. ▪️THE HEAD NOD Advanced practitioners may combine the finger wave with a very slight downward nod of the head. This is approximately the Highland equivalent of an embrace. Do not expect more. ▪️THE SMILE Optional. ▪️THE OVER-ENTHUSIASTIC TOURIST Visitors occasionally respond to a passing-place courtesy by: Waving vigorously. Grinning broadly. Giving a thumbs-up. Opening the window. Shouting “THANK YOU!” This is unnecessary. You are not being rescued from the North Atlantic. Someone has merely let you past. A single finger will do. ▪️PASSING PLACE FAILURE If another driver has reversed fifty yards to let you through and you fail to acknowledge them, the matter will not normally be pursued. There will be no fine. No points on your licence. No formal complaint. However, the other driver may quietly say: “Well, there ye are.” This is considerably worse. ▪️THE CAMPERVAN EXCEPTION Campervan drivers are particularly encouraged to master the Highland Wave. Especially if they have just been allowed past after travelling at 27mph for eleven miles while admiring the scenery. In these circumstances, one finger may not be sufficient. Consider two. Possibly three. Do not attempt a full apology through the rear window. Just keep going. ▪️MEETING A LOCAL ON A SINGLE-TRACK ROAD If you see another vehicle approaching: Look ahead. Identify the nearest passing place. Work out which of you is closest. Act early. Do not stop nose-to-nose in the middle of the road and begin an international summit. Once safely past, administer the wave. The whole procedure should take considerably less time than discussing who had right of way. ▪️THE REVERSE WAVE If somebody reverses for you, the Highland Wave should be slightly more pronounced. They have surrendered distance. You owe them recognition. If they reverse uphill, in rain, with a trailer attached, a full hand is permitted. Possibly even a smile. Do not get carried away. ▪️MULTIPLE VEHICLES If several cars allow you through in succession, repeat the wave for each vehicle. Do not issue one large wave at the start and assume it covers the convoy. This is not a season ticket. Each driver has earned their own acknowledgement. ▪️VISITORS FROM CITIES Drivers accustomed to urban roads may find the Highland Wave confusing. In cities, lifting a hand from the steering wheel can indicate: Thanks. Anger. Confusion. Sarcasm. Disbelief. Or an approaching insurance claim. On Skye, it usually just means: “Cheers.” Try not to complicate it. ▪️THE WAVE HIERARCHY For reference: One finger: Standard thanks. Two fingers: Much appreciated. Whole hand: You’ve done me a proper favour. Hand plus nod: Deep respect. Hand, nod and smile: Rare. May indicate kinship. Any more than this and you are probably at a wedding. ▪️FINAL GUIDANCE The Highland Wave is small because it does not need to be large. Everybody knows what it means. So when somebody pulls in, reverses, waits or otherwise helps you along a single-track road: Lift a finger. Give the nod. Carry on. And if you forget entirely, don’t worry. Nobody will say anything. They’ll just remember the car. - ISLE OF SKYE TOURIST BOARD "Maintaining Highland diplomacy one raised finger at a time."