Wedding in Brechin + Bad Weather = No guests?
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I'm in a bit of a quandry at the moment, a very good friend of mine is getting married in Brechin three days before Christmas. My boyfriend and I were invited and we booked a hotel to stay in up there for the night, its about a three hour drive for us.
Now that it is a couple of days away, my boyfriend and my dad think we would be mad to make the journey the way the weather has been lately. Ice and snow are forecast for the area, and I'd hate to go and get stuck there just before Christmas. However, it is a really good friend, and I phoned him to let him know we might not be going and he was disappointed as he'd already had a few call-offs and he was unsure if even his parents and best man could make it.
I'm not sure what to do, i don't think I want to risk the drive, but I would feel dreadful about letting my friend down. What would you do?
Now that it is a couple of days away, my boyfriend and my dad think we would be mad to make the journey the way the weather has been lately. Ice and snow are forecast for the area, and I'd hate to go and get stuck there just before Christmas. However, it is a really good friend, and I phoned him to let him know we might not be going and he was disappointed as he'd already had a few call-offs and he was unsure if even his parents and best man could make it.
I'm not sure what to do, i don't think I want to risk the drive, but I would feel dreadful about letting my friend down. What would you do?
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Where are you driving from?
It's mostly dual carriageway/motorway and the forecast is pretty good.
I suppose you could go by train?
Judging by the Met Office forecasts there should be a fairly quiet spell of weather around that time, but there's still a chance of snow showers and icy roads, and forecasts aren't always accurate anyway. As far as I know, though, all main roads are drivable at the moment, though there is ice on the Forth and Tay road bridges tonight.
I think you have a very good chance of making the journey safely. Even though it may be snowy either side of the roads, chances are the tarmac will be black and snow-free. Have a look at Traffic Scotland and the BBC traffic reports for more information. On Traffic Scotland you can see live views of quite a lot of the main routes in Scotland.
Of course it's up to you whether or not you make the journey, and really the choice depends on how intrepid you're feeling. I think you probably have a 95% chance of making the journey safely, but I could easily be badly wrong.
Having said that, I'm supposed to be doing quite a lot of driving over Christmas and Boxing Day, and at the moment I feel much more like staying at home!
TBH, I am sure your friend realised that he took a major risk holding the wedding in winter.
No guarantee that we won't suddenly get more snow, but it looks relatively safe to me...
I did think about train, but the trains have been pretty unreliable for me just getting to work during the week so I don't fancy it for going to Brechin.
I keep seeing different weather reports...which is the most accurate weather website?
Met Office is generally most accurate.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
http://www.angus.gov.uk/new/Releases-Archive/2010/2010-12-15d.html
I'd try looking at the route on the AA or BBC and see what they advice but to be honest if the trains are not running and the road travel advice is not to go, then don't. You can also check webcams on the BBC travel site.
I am sure that your friend must realise that there is a risk in booking a wedding in Scotland in December with the weather! All very romantic but not very practical and he must have seen the news - it is unavoidable! I think you need to make sure you are safe for Christmas however disappointing for you and your friend.
Remember you have to not just get there but also get home too. What would happen if you could not? Do you have pets to feed, jobs to get to after 25th? You need to make allowances for the return as well as the arrival.
ETA: Angus Council does have a Winter Watch page that was updated today, but it doesn't say anything all that helpful other than to consult Traffic Scotland and the Met Office.
True but it's worth keeping a eye on that site, our local council are really good for updating on local travel.
Edited to say: the Angus council are not... can't see anything else about travel advice
And in answer to the OP's question, what would you do? Nope, would not and if I was the wedding party, I think I'd have to live with it as I'd rather my good friends were safe, one less thing to worry about!
Think I have to decide not to go, otherwise I'd also feel guilty about dragging my boyfriend up there.
Hope my friend can forgive me
However, there is obviously a chance (even if only a fairly small one, judging by the weather forecasts) that things could change for the worse.
http://www.angus.gov.uk/weather/SchoolTransportStatus.cfm
Tartan_girl, if your friend is in Brechin at the moment, what does he say about road conditions in the area?
It looks as if conditions are worse in England and Wales at the moment than they are in Scotland:
http://www.theaa.com/traffic-news/index.jsp
The forecast is good so don't think you'll have problems getting back.
Just give yourself a bit more time, driving during the day should be OK.
Snow isn't forecast.
Roads are bad but so long as you're not travelling out in the country (i.e. away from Brechin itself and west of A96) should be ok even in a non 4WD
Trains are rubbish but you should get one albeit probably delayed.
What about hiring a 4WD for the trip?
Live departure board for Montrose here - a few delays but all seem to be running at least.
You're welcome
I think you'd be better by train if you can do that - I go to work by train and despite grumbling about them, I am always safer on them than by car in icy weather and get to work more often than car driving colleagues.
I'd discuss train options with your boyfriend and dad, see what they think as I can understand their worries about driving. Maybe that's the compromise? Just set out in lots of time and be prepared for a few delays but if you find that the trains are not running on the day you're going then that's your answer, you can't go.
Whatever you do keep safe.
Oh that's really rotten luck. There are so many threads on people going to work it's easy to forget those who have missed events because of the disruption.
OP, do not feel too bad if you decide not to go - so close to Christmas it's just not worth it.