Hundreds of forecourts in Scotland are now charging more than £2 a litre for diesel, as experts warn there is “no end in sight” to the current price rises.
Drivers across the country have once again been impacted by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war. The RAC warned the average price of diesel in the UK could hit a record high this weekend.
Scottish forecourts exceed £2 threshold
According to analysis by BBC Scotland, hundreds of forecourts across Scotland have already exceeded £2 a litre for diesel. Some of the highest prices can be found in the Scottish islands, with some forecourts currently 50p a litre more expensive than supermarkets in the central belt.
Collecting data from Shetland to the Scottish Borders, the analysis suggests around 226 sites are displaying diesel prices higher than £2 per litre. The highest prices can be found in the Hebrides, with drivers seeing prices of 239.8p and 223p in rural areas.
While there are hundreds of other forecourts still sitting under the £2 threshold, according to the data many of these are only a penny or two away. With prices continuing to rise, hauliers have described the hikes as “devastating” for their businesses.
Prices at highest since Iran conflict
According to the latest data from RAC Fuel Watch, the current prices for both petrol and diesel are the highest they have been since the outbreak of the Iran conflict at the end of February this year. While prices were seen to drop over the summer, diesel is now 56.5p more expensive than it was at the beginning of the year.
Petrol prices have also seen a significant hike, with pump prices now on average 41.1p more expensive than they were on February 28, 2026.
While it should be noted it is motorway services that have jumped over the £2 threshold, which currently sits at 216.04p for diesel, the UK-wide average isn’t too far behind. The website notes these prices are still likely to rise.
RAC warns of record high
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “The average price of diesel is teetering on the brink of a new all-time high at 198.32p, taking the cost of a 55-litre fill-up for a family car to £109.”
“The record of 199.09p will almost certainly be surpassed over the weekend as retailers continue to pass on the increases they're seeing when they buy new supply.”
He also reports petrol is now at its highest price in more than four years, averaging 173.6p. The price of petrol has risen by nearly 12p in September alone after dropping slightly over the summer season.
Williams adds: “Sadly for drivers, there appears to be no end in sight to high prices at the pumps as the cost of a barrel of oil hit $106 having been around that $100 mark for the last two weeks.”
“A significant drop in the price of oil is badly needed but this seems unlikely without the US and Iran striking a deal.”
The UK Government stated it will continue to protect British people and businesses during this time. It also added there would not be an increase in fuel duty this year. This currently sits at a flat rate of 52.95p per litre of standard petrol and diesel.
