Multi-agency response in Highlands and Islands continues to support communities during snow and low temperatures
Thursday, 8 January, 2026
Snowy and icy conditions will continue to affect the Highlands over the coming days, with a Met Office warning in place between 8pm tonight and 12pm tomorrow.
Significant gritting and road / footpath clearing operations across Highland as well as our island communities to improve connectivity, however this will take time to complete and may be impacted if further snowfall is experienced.
Care for People groups continue to contact individuals identified as vulnerable and are supporting them.
Highland Council
Guidance on winter resilience is available on the Council’s homepage: Ready for Winter Guidance | Ready for Winter Guidance. If you have welfare concerns, you can contact Highland Council’s service centre or call on 01349 886606.
Shetland and Orkney island councils have stood down multi-agency responses in their areas but continue to monitor the weather conditions. You can find information at the links below:
The British Red Cross Support Line is also in place and offers free emotional and practical support. The number is 0808 196 3651.
Emergency contacts
Power
You can call 105 free of charge in the event of a power cut to report or get information about your area.
Electricity suppliers also provide information on their websites on what to do if your power goes off.
Water supply
You can report issues with water supply to Scottish Water on 0800 0778 778 or find further information on their website.
Flooding
Information on flood alerts and warnings is available through the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. You can find more information on their website
Wednesday, 7 January 2026
The multi-agency response that was launched in response to heavy snow and low temperatures continues to effectively support affected communities within the Highlands and Islands.
Recent Amber Weather warnings in place have now been rescinded as conditions improve, however, lower-level warnings for snow and ice remain in various regions and further snow and cold weather is anticipated over the coming days.
Despite the challenges faced, agencies have made significant efforts to keep main arterial routes clear and this has ensured that vital services continue to operate, and deliveries have been able to reach most major supermarket chains throughout the region, including ferry deliveries to island communities.
Primary and secondary routes remain the focus of gritting operations and a number of road closures remain in place, with efforts being made to clear these at the earliest opportunity. Motorists are advised that black ice may be present on road surfaces, particularly as temperatures fall and to drive appropriately at all times.
Care for People structures have successfully contacted all individuals identified as vulnerable as a result of the current conditions and are supporting them as required. However, if you believe you are currently vulnerable, or could become vulnerable in the coming days, then please visit your local authority website for details on how you can be supported.
Highland Council has guidance on winter resilience on their homepage. Members of the public are asked to use their ContactUS portal if they have any welfare concerns during this period of prolonged snow and ice. This will ensure concerns are picked up and directed to the correct service/or partner.
The public are asked to check in on family, friends and neighbours, particularly those in remote areas and are thanked for their continued support of the multi-agency response.
More information about staying safe during the snow and low temperature can be found by here - https://www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-happening/news/2026/january/police-issue-advice-following-further-amber-weather-warning/
Chief Inspector David McAlpine said: “This has been an extremely challenging few days for our communities, and for the agencies involved in the response to the snow and low temperatures. However, I am extremely impressed and encouraged by the resilience of the public and all relevant organisations in ensuring that we keep the Highlands and Islands moving.
“We anticipate further spells of snow and ice in the coming days, and this means that our multi-agency response will continue so we can meet whatever further challenges present themselves.
“I’m extremely grateful to everyone involved in this collaborative effort and to the public who have followed all the relevant travel and safety advice provided. This has allowed emergency services and other key partners to dedicate more resource to dealing with issues associated with the weather and safeguarding the most vulnerable during this time.”
Cllr Raymond Bremner, Leader of The Highland Council, added: “Our local resilience partnership, and the strong relationship we have with partners, has been critical throughout this prolonged period of severe weather.
“Across the council, our teams have been working hard to support communities and each other – from street cleaning teams gritting footpaths to waste crews topping up grit bins – and we’ve continued to work with our partners to share information, treat roads and pavements, and support vulnerable people and communities. The commitment and resilience shown by our staff, alongside the efforts of our crofters and farmers, local volunteers, and partner agencies, has been remarkable, and it’s this community spirit that’s keeping people safe.
"We are not out of the woods yet, with freezing conditions and widespread ice expected in the coming days, but we will continue working with all our partners to keep our roads open, get our schools up and running, and help our communities return to normal.”