Flying Dutchman clocked at more than twice speed limit on Highland road

A flying Dutchman was clocked driving at 130mph on a remote west coast road with a speed limit of 60mph.

Esdert Prins, a development director with a security firm from Ameide in the Netherlands was visiting a friend in Scotland when the Porsche he was driving on the A832 was stopped by police at Achanalt near Achnasheen.

Sheriff Margaret Neilson heard 39 year-old Prins was driving his friend’s Porsche.

He admitted driving dangerously and at 130mph on a stretch of road with junctions laybys, sharp bends and when the road conditions were damp and uneven.

Depute fiscal Fraser Matheson said police were on patrol carrying out speed checks at 12.55pm when they heard the car coming towards them and it was obviously travelling in excess of the speed limit.

The Pro-Laser device recorded the Porsche’s speed at 130mph.

"The police activated their flashing blue lights and the vehicle slowed down and stopped."

Mr Matheson said it was a straight stretch of road but there were various hazards including laybys and sharp bends at either end of the straight.

"The road surface is uneven and there are warning signs at the side of the road indicating this to drivers. The road surface was damp from recent rain showers although it was not raining at the time. Traffic was light."

Solicitor Willie Young said Prins had been on holiday in Scotland visiting a friend from university.

"The two men were on a road trip to the west coast. He had taken his friend’s car and accepts he drove at excessive speed and wishes to apologise."

Mr Young added that the speed was recorded on a long straight stretch of roadway.

"He has been driving for 21 years in Holland since he was 18 and has no convictions."

Prins, he said, was due to fly back to Holland on Tuesday.

Sheriff Neilson fined him £500 and banned him for a year.

He was also ordered to re-sit an extended driving test if he wishes to drive again in the UK.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.