Highlands roadtrip in winter - worth it weather-wise?

[Mostro]

Realise I've just missed the best time of year for this trip, but not sure if I can wait until the spring?

Can any locals or regulars give a view on the chances of decent weather up there between now and say end of March? It would be a shame to go all that way to drive through pi$$ing rain and cloud, or ice and snow, and miss out all the views. Is it better to wait till April/May?

Route would be the classics along the lines of Glencoe, Skye, Applecross, Ullapool, Durness, Inverness, Cairngorms.

[whirligig]

From a snow point of view you would probably be fine (although if we get a winter like last year's maybe not!)apart of the Bealach to Applecross. But many views will be obscured by rain/mist.

If you can put it off until April/May then I would certainly recommend that you do. I think May/June or September are the nicest times for the Highlands (midge free and much less tourist traffic).

Weather is so unpredictable in the Highlands and very changable. Today is beautiful but many days last week have been lashing rain.

ETA: They are doing repairs just now to the Bealach so access into Applecross is via the coast road only - no great hardships, views are amazing!

Edited by whirligig on Sunday 24th October 16:22

[Longers]

I did the Nairn > Grantown > Ballater > Blairgowrie road in May this year. Absolutely fantastic road! On some stretches there was still the odd small patch of snow beside the road. Oh, and we went past a couple of ski lifts that were right next to the road so yes, I think there is a fair chance of heavy snow there!!

[alfa pint]

The tops of the mountains had a dusting of snow last week, even after the heavy rain of Thursday and Friday. However, gorgeous sunshine on Saturday and Sunday and I had the hood down both days.

You are talking about the one of the wettest parts of the UK, but it can be as miserable in August as it is in February.

I would try and get it done either as soon as the clocks go back, or take your chances with snow in March. You want as much light as possible, which at least is something you can predict, rather than the weather, which you can't. More chance of snow after January, and I was still climbing in snow in June.

Enjoy it! Some cracking roads....

[Mostro]

Hmmm. Thinking I might have to scratch the roadtrip itch elsewhere until maybe April. Unless I can do it at short notice when it looks like there's a few cloudless days on the horizon....

[sherman]

Also another thing to note with the bad weather is that even if you do get a few cloud free days the roads may already be shut with the previous few days snowfall.

[Overlag]

can never really tell in this country with weather. Go in winter and it may be cold, but could be crisp and clear, go in summer but it might be warm, muggy stormy etc. Cant win.

I went wales Oct 09, and Feb 10 and both times it was fantastic weather.

[GetCarter]

We often have good weather in December, but it really HAS to be a last minute decision, having looked at the weather forecast. Snow is usually not an issue until Jan/Feb (last year it started at Christmas though).

A good Dec day can't be beaten. The place is utterly deserted. Below: Christmas Eve.

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 27th October 07:05

[Fume troll]

Wait for a period of a few days when there's going to be a high pressure system centered over the highlands, and go for it.

Cheers,

FT.

[tenex]

Fume troll said:

Wait for a period of a few days when there's going to be a high pressure system centered over the highlands, and go for it.

Cheers,

FT.

Good advice, but as soon as possible certainly before Christmas.
I've got a feeling that some of the B roads won't be seeing much grit this winter with the cutbacks.