Perth and Kinross comes to a standstill

Appalling conditions see schools shut, buses axed and roads left dangerously unsafe for cars

The Beast from the East brought much of Perth and Kinross to a standstill.

All schools in the region will be closed today as the appalling conditions continue to bite.

Extreme weather caused major disruption on the roads as drifting snow made for hazardous white-out conditions in rural areas.

More than a dozen bus and taxi firms axed their services.

Perth and Kinross Council came under fire over a perceived delay in revealing the 36 schools which were to close yesterday.

While some local authorities announced a blanket shutdown as early as Tuesday evening, the local authority only issued its list after 7.30am.

Parents took to social media to complain about the timing, with some saying they had already set off from home.

A council spokeswoman responded that decisions were made by headteachers at each school, based on local conditions, access and staff availability.

“Ultimately all the headteacher can decide is whether or not they’re able to open the school to those pupils who are able to attend. It is up to parents whether or not they travel,” she said.

Perth College announced the closure of all of its sites just after 6am. A careers fair, which was due to be held on Thursday evening, has also been cancelled.

An army of gritters and other road maintenance crews was scrambled at lunchtime, in preparation for more heavy snowfall in the afternoon.

Many retailers in Perth city centre shut up shop for the afternoon and sent staff home.

Although many roads were treacherous, there were no major accidents.

Glenshee Ski Centre was also closed, with staff announcing on social media that the resort was “stormbound”.

Another victim of the severe weather was a council meeting to discuss the future of Perth City Hall.

Councillors were due to hear that a Scottish Government delegation had visited the venue, ahead of making a final decision on Perth’s bid to reclaim the Stone of Destiny.

Provost Dennis Melloy took the decision to postpone the meeting because many councillors would face difficulty getting to and from Perth.

A major antiques fair at Scone Palace was also abandoned. The event, which usually attracts dealers from all over the country, was due to begin on Friday.

Susan Galloway of organisers Galloway Antiques said: “We take warnings seriously — safety is paramount.”

Solicitor Richard Gray, of Craigie, Perth, scrapes his car clear of ice as he battles to get to work.

Students watch the rough seas at West Sands, St Andrews.