Highland Council winter road condition report for 5 January 2026

5th January 2026

An Amber warning for snow is in force for the much of the 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 (external link). Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting

There has been a lot of snowfall overnight across the roads network leading to drifting snow on some routes. Only travel if it is necessary. If you do need to travel, please drive to local road conditions.

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.

Ross & Cromarty West (as at 10:15)

Fresh snow showers overnight have left significant accumulations over the whole area. Resources are currently focused on opening primary routes before being allocated to secondary routes. Primary routes are currently being treated with reports of difficult driving conditions on some routes with the A896 Torridon to Kinlochewe particularly bad. Several trees fell overnight on the A890 but have been cleared.

Badenoch and Strathspey (as at 6:04)

Primary and Secondary roads being treated this morning with a look to move on to other routes after. Footpaths also being treated.

Caithness (as at 07:29)

Snow showers overnight, and drifting in some areas. Primary roads being cleared first then on to secondary. Some roads are still untreated.

Nairn (6.03)

Primary and Secondary roads being treated this morning with a look to move on to other routes after. Footpaths also being treated.

Inverness (5.51)

Caution advised on the network. Teams are aiming to cover all routes but will be slow. Footpath treatment also deployed

Skye & Raasay (8:57)

Overnight snow showers fairly widespread across the area with heavier deposits generally towards the south of the island and high ground. Treatment currently ongoing on primary & secondary routes. Drivers should exercise caution throughout the network.

Lochaber (as at 9:10)

Snow overnight has caused treacherous conditions on roads. All routes treated with 20 grams of salt and treatments on-going. Heavy snow affecting the west, in particular Mallaig and the A861. Footpaths being treated.

Sutherland (as at 8:36)

Conditions unchanged, low ground up to 5 inches of snow, with inland and high routes drifting up to 3 feet. B9176 Struie remains closed, A897 Kinbrace - Halladale remains closed, A836 Lairg to Tongue closed. All other routes passable with care. Primary routes being prioritised this morning.

Highland schools are due to re-open on Wednesday 7 January. Check for details of school closures at www.highland.gov.uk/schoolclosures (external link) - please note that this page is cleared at 4pm each day (Monday to Friday).

Information on weather warnings is available on the Met Office website
Follow our social media channels to keep up to date with Highland Council road issues - X @HighlandCouncil (external link), Facebook (external link) and Bluesky

For information on Trunk Roads follow @trafficscotland (external link); Bear (North West) (external link); and Amey NE (external link).