In, short, YES. Get winter tyres. They make a huge difference on ungritted/rural/steep roads.

HJ highly recommends Vredestein Wintracs (possibly spelled differently). I've used Pirelli in the past, and have a set of 4 wheels and Pirelli winter tyres sitting in the garage, ready to go on (usually put them on at start of November).

As to how good they are ? Well, a RWD BMW suddenly becomes useable in ice/snowy weather. It's not a patch on our Terrano, but it's actually driveable, without constant abject terror. I live in North Wales, so similar hilly / frosty / icy / snowy conditions to yourself.

Back in the 80s I used to do a lot of road rallying round your way (OS map 103) and also in N Wales and Yorkshire (competing out of Salford Uni as part of Northern Universities Motor Club).

If we knew there was likely to be snow and ice about I would equip my road rally prepared Avenger with M&S tyres. Used to get laughed at a lot at the start venues for running on "balloons", but a few top 10 finishes put paid to that.

Those tyres made a huge difference over standard road tyres. Ok, it probably doesn't get as snowey these days (we used to drive out to Awd Betts in 4ft snow just for the hell of it), but given where you live I'd have thought at least one set on one car would be essential to maintain mobility in the winter months.

Yes - but don't just turn up at your local tyre specialist asking for winter tyres. Research the tyres, consider buying a second set of wheels to mount them - some e-tailers will deliver wheel & tyre sets, I bought wheels on ebay from a breakers yard and my tyres from an overseas e-tailer who sent the tyres to me - they often recommend (and may deliver to) a local fitter.

Is it worth it - well, my tyres were purchsed in 2010 and will be deployed for 5th winter, possibly the last as they will be worn out by next spring. In the mean time my summer tyres have lasted longer, remember you will be running only one set of tyres at any time.

Did I benefit - well winter 2010 was very cold and snowy, I drove to the Alps, up to Zermatt and around snowy towns - never a difficult moment. Since then the weather has been kinder, still even above freezing the tyres behaved well. The various test results and driver comments will assist. I use Nokain WR-G2 (now replaced by newer models) although there are other good tyres in the market place too.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/