Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Sunday 4 January 2026

4th January 2026

The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.

Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online

Met Office Weather Warnings
A Yellow warning for snow and ice is in force until Monday 5 January 2026 for the whole Highland area.

For the latest weather reports, please visit the Met Office website.

Winter Gritting Policy
We manage the longest road network of any council in Scotland. Because of the sheer distances involved, it is not possible for us to treat every single road simultaneously. To keep the region moving safely, we work to a strict priority system.

Highland Winter Road Conditions Report - Sunday 4 January 2026
There has been a lot of snowfall overnight across the roads network leading to drifting snow on some routes. Only travel if it is absolutely necessary. If you do need to travel, please drive to local road conditions.

Caithness (06:16) Heavy snowfall overnight and strong winds has created bad drifting with a lot of roads impassable. We will focus on getting primary routes cleared first this morning. Drivers urged to not venture out unless its completely necessary. Caution to be advised. B874 Halkirk to A9 junction road is still closed this morning.

Inverness (06:44) Covering all weekend routes this morning and footpaths. Caution advised over whole network. No known issues at this time.

Badenoch and Strathspey (07:40) Snow covering all routes this morning with reports of a further 4 inches on all routes with hard compacted snow on side roads and drifting on rural roads. All routes being treated as resources permit and conditions allow. Caution advised across the network.

Nairn (07:41) Snow covering all routes this morning with reports of a further 2 to 3 inches on all routes with hard compacted snow on side roads and drifting rural roads. All routes being treated as resources permit and conditions allow. Caution advised across the network.

Ross and Cromarty (East) (08:00) Some very difficult driving conditions this morning, due to a combination of fresh snow through the night, some significant drifting in places, plus freezing conditions. All available resources deployed and concentrating on primary roads first. Although more snow is forecast, it's drifting snow that's most likely to cause problems today. Travel not advised unless absolutely necessary.

Sutherland (08:09) Heavy snowfall overnight and snow continuing to fall heavily across the area. Focus is on keeping primary routes open and secondary routes will be treated as resources allow. A897 Strathy to Helmsdale road and B9176 Struie road are still closed. A897 Tongue to Melvich very heavy snow and drifts. Would urge drivers to only drive if it is absolutely essential. Wind is causing deep drifting in localised areas.

Lochaber (08:44) Snow reported throughout the area, hard packed sluch and ice in locations. All Primary routes being treated with 20 grams of salt. Routes have been ploughed and bladed throughout. -5 to +2C have been reported. Snow falling on routes this morning and at time of reporting. Treatments on routes ongoing with gritting of secondary and other routes as resources permit. Footpath treatments ongoing. Tractors deployed.

Skye and Raasay (09:01) Cold night with widespread snow showers providing a mix of fresh snow and icy paches. Treatment ongoing on Primary and Secondary routes utilising all available resources. Drivers should exercise caution on all routes. No issues reported overnight.

Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh (09:27) Fresh snowfall overnight with drifting in places. Although a full turnout is in place, resources are currently focused on opening Primary routes before being allocated to Secondary routes. Further snowfall is forecast for today. Travel not advisable. No overnight issues have been reported.

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Information and flooding advice is available on our website

Information on weather warnings is available on the Met Office website

For information on Trunk Roads follow @trafficscotland

For information on power cuts, visit SSEN website

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