Winter arrives as Deirdre brings chaos to roads

Storm Deirdre swept across Scotland yesterday, bringing chaos to the roads and transport network.

The north and very south of the country were the first to experience heavy snowfall, freezing rain and plunging temperatures.

More than 1,200 homes in Moray, along with homes in the Kyle and Highland areas were left without power.

The snow gates on the A92 between Braemar and Spittal of Glenshee were closed just after 6pm.

There was also heavy snowfall in Perthshire, where an accident partially blocked the A9 both ways between Dunkeld and Pitlochry.

Just after 4pm, Traffic Scotland warned that an HGV had become stuck in the snow on the A82 southbound at Glencoe.

Elsewhere in the Highlands, Cairngorm recorded a temperature of -6.4C with winds of 119mph.

And there was traffic chaos near Elgin when the A941 was closed for a spell after a wall collapsed.

Police Scotland said: “It may be worth making alternative arrangements such as delaying travel until conditions improve, or using public transport.”

The wild weather hit CalMac sailings to and from the islands from Ardrossan, Oban and Mallaig.

Cancellations were also reported at Glasgow and Edinburgh airports, mainly involving flights to and from Dublin and the Scottish isles.