SNOW EXCUSE

Determined skiers take to slopes despite resort being closed due to coronavirus

DETERMINED skiers took to the slopes at Scotland’s major winter sports resort at the weekend - despite it being closed.

Cairngorm Mountain officially ended operations on Christmas Eve due to the new coronavirus restrictions.

It had only reopened a few days earlier, with just over 50 skiers and snowboarders enjoying the experience due to the tighter regulations.

However, following the announcement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that mainland Scotland was to be placed into Level 4 lockdown from Boxing Day, resort bosses decided to close.

But some skiers and boarders defied the decision.

On Saturday, several enthusiasts parked their cars at the closed snow gates and hiked two miles uphill to the ski centre where they enjoyed the freedom of the slopes. Meanwhile, back down the road there was traffic chaos with sledgers and hill walkers parked alongside the road – as there was no access to the main car park at Cairngorm.

More than 1000 sledgers took to the Hay Field public area at Glenmore – about two miles from the winter sports resort.

Walkers and skiers also flocked to the Whitelee wind farm in Renfrewshire and Loch Glascarnoch in the Highlands. Susan Smith, interim chief executive, of Cairngorm Mountain, earlier said: “It has been evident in the past few weeks that, regardless of the travel restrictions, people are insistent on breaking the law and coming into the Highlands from tier 3 and 4 areas and other parts of the UK.”

Meanwhile, the New Year Bank Holiday weekend will come to an end tonight with a bone-chilling -13C.

The coldest night of the winter so far comes as winds b r ing freezing air straight from the Baltic regions and Scandinavia.

This has resulted in the Met Office posting an early ice warning for Glasgow, Edinburgh and the central belt.

The temperature dropped to -9.1C early yesterday morning at Loch Glascarnoch, between Inverness and Ullapool.

Temperatures of - 5C in Glasgow allowed ponds in city parks to develop even thicker ice than Saturday.

CRAMMED Hills were packed with skiers, boarders and walkers despite safety warnings. Cars piled up on roadsides as car parks were closed PICTURES: ` Peter Jolly and Mark F Gibson

WINTRY Walkers head out for wind farm stroll OVER THE DAM

CAREFREE Sledgers have a laugh near Inverness

Cross country skiers traverse waterway at the loch