As northern and northeastern Scotland braced for the full force of winter on January 3 and 4, 2026, communities across the Highlands, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Orkney, and Shetland found themselves at the mercy of relentless snow and plunging temperatures. What began as a typical winter’s week quickly escalated into a period of widespread disruption—and, in some cases, unexpected acts of kindness.
According to The Press and Journal, the Met Office issued a new amber weather warning for snow, effective from 6pm on January 4 and stretching through to 10am the following morning. The warning was no idle threat: temperatures in Drumnadrochit dropped to a bone-chilling -8.5°C overnight, while Tomintoul in Moray recorded a staggering 37 centimeters of snowfall. Not far behind, Loch Glascarnoch in the Highlands measured 23 centimeters, and Aboyne in Aberdeenshire saw 22 centimeters blanket the community. The cold snap was so severe that the River Dee even began to freeze over, a rare sight that drew both awe and concern from locals.
With snow piling up, the region’s transportation network ground to a near halt. Major roads—including the A9, A99, A90, and A92—were closed due to heavy snow and drifting, leaving many communities isolated and travelers stranded. Bear North West, the road operator, reported that the A9 from Navidale to Latheron remained closed due to ongoing wintry conditions and drifting snow. Police Scotland issued a stark warning to drivers in Badenoch and Strathspey: “Roads across Badenoch and Strathspey continue to be badly affected by adverse weather, with most routes severely impacted by snow and drifting snow. Travel conditions remain hazardous and the public are strongly advised not to travel unless their journey is absolutely essential.”
The message was echoed across the region, with authorities urging motorists to heed closure signs and only venture out if absolutely necessary. Gritters and snowploughs worked around the clock, but even their efforts couldn’t always keep pace with the relentless snowfall and high winds that caused temporary blizzard conditions. Aberdeenshire Council, responsible for some 3,500 miles of roads, deployed its full fleet of gritters, while Aberdeen City Council focused on treating primary routes to keep at least half of the city’s roads open.
Public transport fared no better. ScotRail and London North Eastern Railway (LNER) announced a string of cancellations and truncated services, with many trains forced to terminate early or skip stops altogether. On January 3, the 9:59am Inverness to Aberdeen service was cancelled, as was the 10:03am Aberdeen to Inverness service. The Wick to Inverness and Inverness to Wick lines also saw multiple cancellations, stranding passengers and making replacement transport impossible with main roads impassable.
Bus operators, including Ember and Stagecoach Bluebird, suspended numerous services along key corridors such as Deeside, the A96, and the A90. Ember buses, which had valiantly attempted to maintain service, ultimately had to cancel several routes on both January 3 and 4 due to worsening conditions. Highland Council took the extraordinary step of suspending all bus services, citing dangerous driving conditions and prioritizing the safety of passengers and staff.
Air travel was no escape. Inverness and Aberdeen airports experienced significant disruption, with multiple flights cancelled or delayed. According to The Press and Journal, the 9:40am Loganair flight from Inverness to Belfast City was cancelled, as were the 1:05pm Loganair to Kirkwall and the 1:15pm KLM to Amsterdam. Aberdeen Airport saw a similar fate: the 6am KLM to Amsterdam, 8:20am BA to London Heathrow, and several Loganair flights to Sumburgh, Kirkwall, Newquay, and Belfast City were all scrapped. Passengers were urged to check with airlines before leaving home, as teams worked tirelessly to clear runways and de-ice aircraft.
Ferry operators, too, were forced to adapt. NorthLink cancelled its scheduled stop in Kirkwall on January 3, warning of potential delays to Lerwick. CalMac’s service between Ullapool and Stornoway was also called off for the rest of the day, with other routes subject to last-minute changes as weather battered the west coast.
It wasn’t just travel that suffered. Local businesses, including Aldi stores across the north-east, closed early to ensure staff and customers could return home safely. Aberdeenshire’s recycling centers shut their gates for the weekend, and all waste and recycling collections were postponed. Even cherished community events like parkruns in Nairn, Aberdeen, and Ellon were cancelled, with organizers citing unsafe conditions for runners and volunteers alike.
Yet, amid the chaos, moments of community spirit shone through. When the home match between Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC and Peterhead was called off on January 3 due to persistent snow, the club was left with an abundance of unsold pies and sandwiches prepared for fans. Rather than let the food go to waste, staff donated it all to NHS Highland workers at Raigmore Hospital and to the Highland Hospice. A club spokesperson shared, “Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC were delighted to support our local community by donating all of our matchday sandwiches, pies, and other food items from today’s postponed match against Peterhead to NHS Highland staff in various units across Raigmore Hospital, as well as to the wonderful Highland Hospice for their staff and patients. We are proud to be able to give back and show our appreciation for the incredible work they do.”
For many, the snow brought not just hardship but also moments of joy and togetherness. Children and adults alike made the most of the winter wonderland, sledging down hills, building snowmen, and organizing impromptu snowball fights. The River Dee, partially frozen, became a backdrop for wintry walks and family outings—proof that even in challenging times, communities find ways to make the best of what nature throws their way.
As the amber warning lingered and gritters prepared for another long night, one thing was clear: Scotland’s north and northeast had faced down a formidable winter storm, emerging with stories of resilience, disruption, and unexpected generosity that would be remembered long after the snow had melted away.