2026 began with a prolonged spell of severe winter weather that put BEAR Scotland’s North West teams to the test. Several yellow and amber Met Office warnings for snow and ice brought difficult conditions across the highlands, particularly on the A9 and A99 north of Inverness, with heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures and drifting snow affecting major trunk road routes for a fortnight. Across just eight days, crews carried out 228 gritter operations, treating more than 9,800 km of road as conditions repeatedly worsened.

Despite the intensity of the weather, BEAR Scotland’s crews, supported by specialist contractors worked tirelessly to deal with the extremely challenging conditions and keep roads clear. Winter service teams were deployed continuously, carrying out ploughing, salting and patrols throughout the day and night. In total, 1,556 tonnes of salt were spread across the network, with gritter teams clocking up over 900 hours of operations. Many routes required repeated treatments as temperatures dropped sharply and fresh bands of snowfall swept through the region.

The conditions demanded constant monitoring and quick operational decisions. The Severe Weather Team worked closely with crews on the ground to respond rapidly to emerging issues and offering support to Aberdeenshire council as part of a multi-agency effort as the weather evolved. Up to 19 gritter drivers and six frontline gritters were available on rotating shifts, supported by a further 10 operatives and specialist equipment including patrol vehicles, footway tractors and snow blowers.

Thanks to these efforts, essential routes remained as clear and safe as possible during one of the most challenging weather events the North West has seen in recent years. The dedication and resilience of the teams ensured communities, businesses and emergency services could continue to make essential journeys during the cold snap.

This period of winter weather was closely followed by Storm Chandra, which swept across Scotland at the end of January and brought further disruption. Strong winds brought down more than 30 trees along the A82 at Letterfinlay, blocking the road. BEAR Scotland teams responded quickly, working in difficult conditions through the night to cut and clear the fallen trees and reopen the route as safely and efficiently as possible.

The effort was publicly recognised by Police Scotland, who thanked BEAR Scotland for their support in clearing this vital route and helping to keep traffic moving during the storm.

Together, the freezing start to the year and the arrival of Storm Chandra highlighted the scale of the challenges faced across the North West, but they also demonstrated the resilience and commitment of BEAR Scotland’s teams. From continuous winter treatment to emergency tree‑clearing operations, staff across the region worked with determination to keep key routes open and support partner agencies during fast‑changing conditions. BEAR Scotland remains ready to respond whenever severe weather strikes, maintaining the trunk road network in a safe, resilient and reliable condition for all who depend on it.