Heavy Snow Forces School Closures and Travel Disruptions Across Northern Scotland

Heavy Snow Forces School Closures and Travel Disruptions Across Northern Scotland
………

Heavy snowfall has caused widespread school closures and major travel disruptions across northern Scotland, the BBC reported. Roads, rail lines, and airports were severely affected in areas including Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Highlands, Orkney, and Shetland, following several days of freezing temperatures and drifting snow. Amber weather warnings expired on Monday morning, but a new yellow warning remains in place until Tuesday night.

Aberdeen International Airport suspended operations on Monday afternoon due to extreme weather conditions, with flights expected to resume later in the day. Network Rail Scotland deployed snowploughs along key routes, including between Aberdeen and Inverness, though some services remained delayed or suspended where snow depths exceeded 30 cm.

ScotRail confirmed that sections of the Highland Main Line were operating, while other lines were likely to face disruptions. Ferry services, however, continued to operate normally. Local councils reported that hundreds of schools and nurseries remained closed. In Aberdeenshire alone, more than 200 staff, 44 road gritters, and 47 footway gritters were deployed to clear snow and maintain access, but some villages remained cut off.

Residents described the snowdrifts as the worst in decades, with temperatures in the Highlands dropping as low as -9.3 °C at Tulloch Bridge and snow accumulation reaching nearly 50 cm in Tomintoul. Health services, including vaccination centres in Aberdeenshire and Moray, operated at reduced hours due to staff travel difficulties. Authorities urged residents to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel while safety operations continue across affected areas.