A heated igloo and snow rollers: Scotland makes the most of cold snap

A heated igloo and snow rollers: Scotland makes the most of cold snap

In Orkney, a stonemason named Kyle Doran has showcased his creative talents by constructing an igloo featuring a functional fireplace and chimney. This unique structure serves as a cozy play area for his three-year-old daughter, allowing her to enjoy the snow while having a sheltered space to retreat from the wind. The igloo was built using an old plastic Lego tub as a mold for the blocks, and the addition of a fireplace was inspired by his mother-in-law to enhance comfort. Despite the fire melting some of the snow, the icy temperatures cause it to quickly refreeze, and Kyle has incorporated brick and stone materials to help reflect heat away from the snow.

Across northern and north-eastern Scotland, heavy snowfall has created a picturesque but challenging winter scene. The region has experienced widespread disruption, including school closures and transportation difficulties. Aberdeenshire Council has even declared a major incident to address what it describes as a “prolonged period of significant impact.” Amid the snow-covered landscapes, a rare natural phenomenon known as snow rollers has been observed, particularly in Orkney. These formations are cylindrical snow shapes created when wind rolls snowballs across fields, gradually accumulating more snow as they move.

Weather presenter Judith Ralston of BBC Scotland explained that snow rollers form when strong winds sweep over snow-covered terrain, causing the snow to curl up into shapes resembling smaller versions of hay bales. The rolling process sometimes leaves bare ground tracks behind as the snowballs gather snow during their movement. Images of these unusual snow rollers have been captured on the Orkney islands, adding to the distinctive winter sights seen during this cold spell.

While the snow has brought delight to some people taking advantage of it for fun activities such as sledging and ice skating, it has proven challenging for ski resorts. Several ski centers in Scotland, including the popular Cairngorm Mountain Resort, have had to close portions of their slopes due to deteriorating weather conditions. Glenshee Ski Centre, which has faced inconsistent snow cover in the past, has recently improved its outlook with fresh snowfall, allowing beginner runs to open and plans to extend operations by the weekend. Meanwhile, the Lecht Ski Centre hopes to open more trails later in the week, though it remains “storm bound” with a whiteout currently limiting activity

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More