Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
News

William Wall-Ice and Carrie Bradthaw: Meet Scotland's punny gritter trucks fighting the snow

Every year, a fleet of Scottish gritter trucks with hilarious names take to the nation's roads. Here are this year's

Scottish gritter, Scotland gritter

Scotland's skidding commuters may have Spread Sheeran to thank for clearing their path. Image: Ben Salter/flickr

Spreddie Van Halen, Spray Charles, and Hansel and Grit-all are among the famous names taking to the roads of Scotland this winter, as the punny Scottish gritters return to fight the snow.

Ranging from pop culture puns to droll reinventions of Scottish heroes, the Scottish gritter trucks have been given imaginative names since 2006. 

With Scotland experiencing the Met Office’s longest ever yellow weather warning, forecasters have warned of up to 15cm of snow in higher areas.

Your support changes lives. Find out how you can help us help more people by signing up for a subscription

In the face of this, Scottish icons Calvin Harr-Ice, William Wall-Ice and Charles Rennie Mackinslush are leading the fightback and freeing up the roads.

Fans of Roman puns can only hope I Came I Thaw, I Conquered is joined by Veni, Skiddy, Vici next year.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

There’s a strong James Bond theme with the Scottish gritters, too: Snow Connery currently sits south of Edinburgh, while For Your Ice Only, You Only Grit Ice, and Licence to Chill make the rounds.

Devoted followers of the silly salt-spreaders can even track their progress online, using Traffic Scotland’s Trunk Road Gritter Tracker.

Get the latest news and insight into how the Big Issue magazine is made by signing up for the Inside Big Issue newsletter

Here’s a taste of this year’s Scottish gritter names:

  • William Wall-Ice
  • Oor Chilly
  • Ready Spready Go
  • Icesweeper Willy
  • You Only Grit Ice
  • Calvin Harr-Ice
  • Spreddie Van Halen
  • Hansel And Grit-All
  • The Snow Buster
  • Snow Destroyer
  • Tam O’salter
  • Gonna Snow Dae That
  • Sweet Child O’Brine
  • I Came, I Thaw, I Conquered
  • Spread Sheeran
  • Snow Connery
  • Licence To Chill
  • Polar Patroller
  • Scotland’s Bravest Gritter
  • Always Be Grit-Full
  • Carrie Bradthaw
  • Brine Freeeeze
  • The Great Grittish Flake-Off
  • Veruca Salt
  • For Your Ice Only
  • Charles Rennie Mackinslush
  • Troon Raker
  • Snowwakyo Drift
  • Buzz Iceclear
  • Spray Charles
  • The Winter Explorer
  • Salty
  • Mary Queen Of Salt
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

GIVE A GIFT THAT CHANGES A VENDOR'S LIFE THIS WINTER 🎁

For £36.99, help a vendor stay warm, earn an extra £520, and build a better future.
Grant, vendor

Recommended for you

View all
Customers don't want Thames Water to be saved with a debt deal – they want it to be nationalised
Thames Water

Customers don't want Thames Water to be saved with a debt deal – they want it to be nationalised

Disability benefit claimants at risk of poverty because of 'poor service' from DWP, MPs warn
Pat McFadden, work and pensions secretary. Image: House of Commons/ Flickr
Poverty

Disability benefit claimants at risk of poverty because of 'poor service' from DWP, MPs warn

Big Issue founder renews calls for child poverty targets: 'I am gifting the government a chance'
Lord John Bird reads his Ministry for Poverty Prevention Bill in the House of Lords.
Child poverty

Big Issue founder renews calls for child poverty targets: 'I am gifting the government a chance'

The innovative project giving homeless people a fighting chance through boxing and martial arts
Homelessness

The innovative project giving homeless people a fighting chance through boxing and martial arts