Locals dig in for big clean up as schools set to reopen after disruption

Volunteers across the country dug in to help communities get up and running after a turbulent few days of extreme weather, as forecasters warned a thaw is not expected until later this week.

Freezing conditions and heavy snowfall caused by the ‘Beast from the East’ left much of Scotland covered by a thick blanket of snow, disrupting services and leaving hundreds of schools and businesses closed.

However, most local authorities were yesterday hoping to have major services back to normal today with schools in the majority of council areas expected to open on time thanks in part to the work of volunteers.

In towns and cities across Scotland, parents and local organisations held “snow parties” as they help to clear school playgrounds.

At South Morningside Primary in Edinburgh, Debbie Murphy, 41, and her son Ben, seven, were among 50 helpers who braved the freezing conditions to join the clean up alongside teachers and fellow parents.

Ms Murphy said: “When we have freak conditions like this, we can’t expect the council to cope when they’re clearing roads and everything else.”

She added: “You get a bit of cabin fever, so I think people will be relieved to get things back to normal, then they can go back to work and things can get moving again. It’s good to get your routine back.”

Shortages of essential supplies, such as bread and milk, hadbeenreportedinsomeareas as stores struggled to meet demand due to the extreme conditions causing disruption to delivery schedules.

However, major retailers said they were “catching up” with deliveries to affected stores.

A spokesman for the Co-op said: “Safety is our number one priority, and we continue to closely monitor the weather and the condition of the roads.

“Like other retailers we have experienced some localised disruption, and we are restocking stores as a priority whenever it is safe and the roads are passable.”

He continued: “We also proactively reduce volumes on non-essential items that are being delivered to our stores during these extreme weather conditions, in order to alleviate supply pressures and to assist with deliveries of essential grocery items to serve our communities with what they need, where they need it.”

Met Office forecasters confirmed the yellow be aware weather warning will remain in place over the next few days, with icy conditions expected in the West.

However, it should be lifted later in the week when conditions are expected to steadily improve.

A spokesman said: “We will see a gradual thaw across Scotland as the week goes on and temperatures increase, but Monday will bring a mix of rain, sleet and hill snow for parts of the country.”

“It will be a much quieter week and we will start to experience temperatures returning to a normal level from Tuesday onwards.”

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “The extreme weather we have been experiencing

0 Clockwise from main: people clear a snowy street in Blanefield; a boy gets stuck in at Trinity Primary

Wildfires doused on island

is almost unprecedented in its severity, and has clearly presented major challenges to Scotland’s infrastructure.

“Conditions have improved significantly in many parts of the country but I would urge the Scottish public to remain vigilant. Yellow weather warnings are still in place across all but the most westerly parts of Scotland, and in most parts ice and surface water will create challenges for drivers on some minor roads.”

He added: “The advice from Police Scotland is travel with caution in all areas and drivers are encouraged to check weather forecasts.” Properties in Barra were evacuated as firefighters battled a series of wildfires on the island into the early hours of yesterday morning.

Fire crews were joined by local RNLI volunteers and members of the public, including Western Isles MP Angus Macneil, as they extinguished the flames at three different locations near Cuithir in the Outer Hebrides.

Firefighters from neighbouring Uist also travelled to help with the operation.

It is unclear what caused the fires, which took place between 7:30pm Saturday evening and 5:40am yesterday. However, it is thought strong winds blowing across the island helped spread the flames.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesman confirmed at least one property had been evacuated as a precautionary measure, but there was “no threat to livestock or properties”.

He added: “All three fires have been extinguished, but fire services will continue to check the sites throughout the day.”