Highland Council winter road conditions for 7 January 2026

7th January 2026

Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting (external link)

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.

Skye & Raasay (as at 07:58)

Marginal road temperatures this morning with reports of icy patches requiring driver caution on untreated roads. Treatments running on Primary and Secondary and Other routes in line with available resource. Lusa - Kylerhea single track (ferry) remains closed.

Ross & Cromarty East (as at 08:34)

Road surface temperatures just below zero this morning with a fresh covering of snow up to 4 inches on higher routes. Lower routes have a mixture of slush, ice, surface water and snow. All primary routes are being double run before moving on to secondary routes. Treatment times delayed and all attempts will be made to cover full routes. Caution advised on all routes.

Sutherland (as at 08:55)

All primary 1 & 2 routes being bladed and treated. Between 8 and 10 inches of wet snow on the higher routes, and up to 4 inches on lower routes. Footpaths being treated also. Issues with low hanging tree branches on most routes this morning.

Caithness (as at 10:09)

Challenging conditions this morning. Caution required. Gritting and blades in use, snow has eased.

Nairn (as at 07:24)

Fresh snow across the whole network. Up to 6 inches on higher routes and sleet on lower routes. Primary and Secondary routes being treated as well as footpaths this morning. No known overnight issues.

Badenoch & Strathspey (as at 07:24)

Fresh snow across the whole network. Primary and Secondary routes being treated as well as footpaths this morning. No known overnight issues.

Ward 5 Ross and Cromarty (as at 08:24)

A mixture of wet and slushy roads reported this morning. Some snow cover over highest areas. Winter treatment of all routes ongoing. No overnight issues reported.

Inverness (as at 09:25)

Full caution advised across network this morning. Covering all routes and footpaths, no known issues.

Lochaber (as at 08:53)

A mixture of weather this morning with some light snow showers and light rain showers, black ice throughout the area, drivers to drive to the conditions. No overnight problems.

Follow our social media channels to keep up to date with Highland Council road issues - X @HighlandCouncil, Facebook (external link) and Bluesky .

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

Information and flooding advice is available on our website
Information on weather warnings is available on the Met Office website.

For information on power cuts, visit SSEN website

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Yesterday : Local Authority

What Changes in Highland Today? New Rules for Private Hire Drivers and a Fresh Garden Waste Year

For most people in Highland, 1 September is simply the start of another month.  But today also marks the beginning of two changes introduced by Highland Council which will affect different groups of residents.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

 
Candidates for Highland Council Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness By-Election confirmed

Following today’s deadline for nominations, The Highland Council can confirm the details of the 5 candidates that are standing in the Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness by-election.  There are 5 candidaes.  

31/8/2026 : Local Authority

Head Teacher at Thurso High School, outlined measures that have helped improve educational outcomes

Highland Council’s strategy to raise attainment in the region is making good progress, with encouraging early data emerging from this year's examination results.   Last week councillors on the education committee noted the work undertaken in Highland Council's Education and Learning Improvement Plan (ELIP) and the associated Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy (RAAS).  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

Council Funded Advice services assist 25,000 customers and exceed £30.3 million in financial gains

Almost 25,000 customers were assisted by the Council’s Welfare Support Team and Citizens Advice during 2025/26 for support with welfare, debt and housing issues.   As a result, financial gains for clients exceeded £30.3 million, representing a £18.84 return for every £1 allocated to these services by the Council.  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

 
Do We Need a New Kind of Cemetery? Could Highland's Greenspaces Help Make Funerals More Affordable?

There may be no more appropriate time to ask Highland Council whether we need to rethink the way we remember those who have died.   The Council has just launched a six-week consultation on its draft Greenspace Biodiversity Management Strategy 2026-2030.  

26/8/2026 : Local Authority

The Triple Squeeze: Energy, Mortgages and Council Tax — How Much More Can Households Take?

There is a point at which individual increases in household costs stop being individual problems and become something much bigger.   A £100 increase in the annual energy bill may be manageable.  

24/8/2026 : Local Authority

Thurso Schools: Public Meeting and Statutory Consultation – Key Dates

Highland Council has now formally launched its statutory consultation on proposals to replace Thurso High School and reorganise primary school provision in the town.   The consultation concerns the proposed relocation of Thurso High School, Pennyland Primary School and Miller Academy Primary School to a new education campus based around the existing Thurso High School site and the proposed Community Point of Delivery.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Public consultation to help shape future policy protecting Highland's dark skies

Councillors have approved the launch of a public consultation on draft guidance aimed at reducing light pollution across the Highlands, supporting environmental protection, public wellbeing and the area's internationally recognised dark skies.   Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee yesterday (Thursday 20 August) agreed to publish the draft Reducing Light Pollution: Good Practice Guidance for consultation, once minor clarifications are included, giving residents, communities, businesses and developers the opportunity to help shape future policy.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Highland bus service improvement plans

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee has endorsed plans to launch a 12-week public consultation on a proposed Highland Bus Service Improvement Partnership (BSIP), giving communities, passengers and stakeholders the opportunity to help shape the future of bus services across the region.   The consultation will seek views on draft proposals developed by The Highland Council in partnership with HITRANS and bus operators to improve the operational performance, accessibility, attractiveness and consistency of bus services across Highland.  

19/8/2026 : Local Authority

Demand for social housing remains high across Highland Butit is part of a biggr Scottish Problem

Demand for social housing across the Highlands remains high, with almost 8,826 households on the Highland Housing Register (HHR).   Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair, said: “The demand for social housing across Highland remains significant and continues to outstrip the number of homes available in many areas.