A major Donside road will be partially shut until at least next week due to a landslip caused by this week’s stormy weather.
The A980 Alford to Lumphanan route was closed at Perkhill on Monday after the region was battered by torrential rain which brought flooding misery for hundreds of homeowners, visitors and motorists.
Yesterday it emerged the conditions had caused a landslide – meaning motorists will face a detour of about three miles while repairs are carried out.
Aberdeenshire Council is already working to repair the damage, but estimates it will be next week before the verge can be reinstated and the drainage problem repaired.
Elsewhere, the condition of Ballater Caravan Park – which was evacuated after the River Dee burst its banks – is still being assessed before holiday-makers are allowed to return.
More than 20 people were forced to bed down in the village’s Victoria and Albert Hall on Monday, but have since managed to find alternative accommodation.
Last night the community was praised for rallying around to cheer up the stranded visitors by providing food, drink and entertainment.
Douglas Milne, Aberdeenshire Council’s area manager for Garioch, said: “We would like to thank all those who helped out during the last few days. It was a fantastic effort by everyone involved, especially the emergency services, and thankfully the worst now seems to be over.
“Special thanks must go to the community in Ballater who rallied round to help people who had come here for their holiday and found themselves having to move out of the caravan park at short notice.
“Many were from overseas including Australia, the Netherlands and Belgium and while they may not be impressed with the Scottish weather, the hospitality and support shown by the Ballater community will ensure they take away a great impression of local people.”
Huntly care home residents who were evacuated as a precaution on Monday were settling back in to their usual surroundings yesterday, and a rest centre set up at the town’s Linden Centre was stood down.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has removed the flood warnings that were in place for Aboyne, Ballater, Huntly, Turriff and Keith, although an alert is still in place across Aberdeen city and shire.