West Highlands trip: winter tyres?
Discussion
I am driving up to Torridon in Wester Ross for 26 to 30 December. My car is rear wheel drive with ample power and large-ish (245/45 R17) wheels currently shod with Michelin Pilot PS2 tyres (it is a Mercedes SL 500).
Should I be fitting winter tyres?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Should I be fitting winter tyres?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Obvious reply, but it depends on the weather.
Most of the roads in Torridon aren't very high above sea level, so don't get too much snow. Unlike some of the other roads in the more central highlands such as the A939 etc which are higher up in the mountains and frequently get blocked with snow.
There may be frost and icy patches on the roads but again that isn't usually for long periods in the west.
Obviously with global warming these things may change.
Most of the roads in Torridon aren't very high above sea level, so don't get too much snow. Unlike some of the other roads in the more central highlands such as the A939 etc which are higher up in the mountains and frequently get blocked with snow.
There may be frost and icy patches on the roads but again that isn't usually for long periods in the west.
Obviously with global warming these things may change.
In December it is very unlikely that there will be low level snow around the West Highland coastal routes. However if you are coming across from Inverness or up from Fort William through Glen Garry then you might come accross some.
The local councils are pretty good with gritting/ploughing and generally speaking things should be OK. Travel in day light (bearing in mind it gets dark around 4) but you should fine (except perhaps if you are planning a trip over the Bealach to Applecross!)
The local councils are pretty good with gritting/ploughing and generally speaking things should be OK. Travel in day light (bearing in mind it gets dark around 4) but you should fine (except perhaps if you are planning a trip over the Bealach to Applecross!)
Think I did reply to this ,ut it seems to have gotten lost .I hail from Fort William area,and Glencoe is something I know well . In allmy years I've not had /seen snow problems in Glencoe before January , mostly into February - so in that respect ,think you've little chance of problems in Dec .However ,Ice will/maybe another problem . It does get cold from Loch Lomand upwards , and the best method of detecting it is to both keep window open and check for temperature drops and keep a chack on steering response .Of coursein that part of the world, it's prudent to take the straighest line round corners .But also keep an eagle eye out for Deer .If you see them - suggest you start driving as if in an ice field , their could be ice or there could be deer or both . They don't come down unless the weather up top is bad -and that's a good indication of what's to come .
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