BBC Scotland found diesel above £2 a litre at at least 226 Scottish forecourts. The RAC puts the UK average at 198.32p a litre and expects it to set a record this weekend; the Road Haulage Association says fuel is costing operators roughly £250 extra per vehicle each week.
The highest reported prices included 238.8p a litre in the Hebrides and 209p in the Northern Isles. Some island forecourts were 50p a litre dearer than central-belt supermarkets. Orkney haulier Dave Neil said his firm was paying £400 more per week for diesel than before summer and had added a customer surcharge.
The report links higher crude-oil costs to the ongoing Middle East conflict and Russia-Ukraine war. The Road Haulage Association is calling for planned fuel-duty rises in January, March and April to be scrapped and for a fuel rebate for lorries, coaches and vans. The government says the temporary 5p-a-litre duty cut will remain through 31 December, leaving diesel 11p a litre cheaper than under plans inherited from the previous government.
