The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Superstar skier Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards returned to the slopes at his former ski school at Glenshee yesterday.
CHAOS: Heavy snowfall causes travel problems and closes schools
Heavy snowfall saw chaos in parts of Perthshire and Fife yesterday, causing a spate of crashes, stranding buses and forcing more than 20 schools and nurseries to close their doors.
Wintry weather caused difficult driving conditions and breakdowns on busy routes including the M90 Perth to Edinburgh road through Kinross and Fife and the A9 between Stirling, Perth and Inverness.
Police warned people to head home early from work while transport minister Humza Yousaf urged people to avoid driving altogether. A Met Office yellow warning for snow and ice was in place across Courier Country until midnight.
A total of 24 schools and nurseries closed their doors due to the “severe” weather yesterday, with temperatures struggling to rise above freezing across the region.
Fife Council closed 10 nurseries and seven primary schools; while in Perth and Kinross five primaries were shut. Additionally, Kinloch Rannoch Primary and Crieff High School were open to local pupils only.
Fife head of education and children’s services Shelagh McLean said: “The safety of our children is of upmost importance.
“In response to this morning’s heavy snowfall and amber weather warning, a total of 14 facilities took the decision to close early because of conditions locally and information from school bus companies on travel arrangements.”
Last night a Perth and Kinross Council spokesman said: “Some schools in Perth and Kinross were closed today due to adverse weather conditions.”
Yesterday morning an accident closed the A827 Logierait to Killin road near Aberfeldy and a broken down car caused delays lasting 45 minutes on the A9 at Cairnie Brae.
Two people were taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee following a crash on the A926 Airlie to Blairgowrie road. One person remains in hospital in a serious condition.
Trains through Perth were delayed due to a signalling fault at the station, leading to hold-ups until noon.
Buses were also disrupted yesterday, with one coach left stuck in Saline due to the conditions. Stagecoach East Scotland was unable to serve the village for several hours due to a blizzard. The firm was also unable to reach Wellwood, Steelend, Oakley, Comrie and Blairhall. Some services were called off and others were subject to “severe delays”.
Elsewhere in Fife a car landed on its roof in Gateside and there were reports of vehicles leaving the M90 at Kelty and the B922 Cluny to Kinglassie road.
A lorry and bus brought traffic to a halt in Glenrothes after getting stuck on the Glamis roundabout.
Knockhill racing circuit near Dunfermline has cancelled all its weekend activities due to snow on the track.