Snow and Ice driving. Preparation is absolutely vital.

We published this page in our website last year and it had a big response. Could be needed again. Best to prepare thoroughly if you are going drive on Snow and Ice  John

DRIVING THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS IN SNOW AND ICE

From November until the end of April there can be snow on the hills.. Even so, more often than not the main roads will be clear of snow.  Higher snow probability on the roads lies between the middle of January and the middle of March.

You can get massive variations in snow level even with a few miles. Our little hamlet at Kentallen is often clear of the snow which clogs up the main road to Glasgow, about 4 miles away.

Plan how to get to and from the West Highlands in snowy conditions. It is tempting to think of the Moor of Rannoch as being the main hazard, with its snow poles every few yards.

Well, that road is very seldom closed, and when it is they clear it and open it quickly. You are more likely to run into a deer, than you are to be stuck there in snow.

No, it is the steep, curving hill beside Crianlarich station which is the main trouble spot.

Take the coastal road through Kentallen and Appin,  then, just after Dalmally, go to Inverary. Then take the Rest and Be Thankful pass over to the lower half of Loch Lomond. This avoids the worst of the acccident bottlenecks on the Loch Lomond road as well.

For novices on snow and ice driving, here are our tips

Five Don'ts

Don't overtake on snow and ice

Don't rev the engine or accelerate quickly

Don't allow the battery to run down. It is very vulnerable

in the cold.

Don't use washing up liquid in the screen wash

Don't run on thin tyres

Twelve Do's

Drive very slowly, particularly around corners

Avoid steep hills, particularly those with bends

Go into corners slowly

Accelerate very slowly

Use 2nd gear if possible on ice

Keep the driving wheel as straight as possible

Leave a massive amount of room between you and the car in front

Fill the petrol tank more frequently than usual

Keep your mobile phone topped up

Use WD 40 to ease the door locks

Watch out for extra cold temperatures in low lying valleys, and on

tree lined roads

Choose a coastal route if possible rather than an inland route.