Scotland is expected to continue to face snow and ice disruption for the rest of the week, as a new yellow weather warning is issued, covering Grampian, the Highlands, Orkney & Shetland, Dumfries & Galloway and across Ayrshire. More than 30 Aberdeenshire schools were closed again, along with around 20 in the Highland region and a further nine in Moray. Stagecoach has suspended all bus services between Peterhead and Aberdeen until further notice. Aberdeenshire Council said the long-term forecast suggested disruption could last throughout the week, with snow and icy conditions likely to last all week causing further difficult driving conditions.
A spokesman for Aberdeen Airport said passengers should continue to check flights with their airlines due to the weather, despite services restarting. The de-icing of individual aircraft is managed by the airlines and their contracted ground handling teams. The A90 was temporarily closed at Boddam – just south of Peterhead – with reports of heavy traffic to the north of the town but has since reopened. Transport Scotland said travellers should take extra care on the roads, allow extra time for their journeys and drive to the road conditions.
A spokesperson for Aberdeenshire Council confirmed that residents could expect “extremely challenging” conditions for the rest of the week, including rapid snow showers in some areas that pose some extremely challenging conditions for road users and services. They wanted to thank road crews and service staff for their work on the roads, along with local farmers and contractors who have helped, while also stating that disruption could last throughout the week. Cairngorn Mountain Rescue Team said they were called out on Monday night to two simultaneous rescues, helping a climber who had sustained a deep cut to their lower leg and a couple who intended to camp but raised the alarm after conditions deteriorated.
On Monday, more than 80 schools throughout the north-east were unable to open at all. In Dumfries & Galloway, one of the area’s largest schools, Stranraer Academy, was forced to close due to a “heating failure”. Gritting crews have been on the roads in the region since 05:30. While the airport is responsible for de-icing runways and taxiways to ensure safe take-offs and landings, the de-icing of individual aircraft is managed by the airlines and their contracted ground handling teams. The organisation’s Douglas Cairns told BBC Scotland News that the travel network had “coped relatively well” with the weather on Monday, adding that the Highlands and Islands area has been more prone to the weather which is probably normal for this time of year
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