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Snow and ice cause travel chaos across the Highlands ahead of Christmas

Road closures, cancelled flights and delayed trains also disrupted travel across Moray and Aberdeenshire.

Chtristmas traffic on the A9 at Slochd summit between Caeebridge and Tomatic after the overnight falls of snow.Traffic further north however weren't so liucky with heavdy snow affecting roads in the Helmsdale area
"Slushy snow" might be on the cards for much of the higher ground of the Highlands. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson.

Challenging weather conditions across the Highlands caused disruption for those travelling ahead of Christmas.

Snow and ice hit the region hard on Friday night leading to public transport cancellations and difficult driving conditions on Saturday.

Much of Moray and Aberdeenshire were impacted by the wintry weather.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice was in place since Friday night and lasted until yesterday afternoon.

Slochd Summit sign
Cars were able to travel on the A9 at Slochd Summit after the overnight falls of snow but traffic further north in the Helmsdale area was not so lucky. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson.

On Saturday, police warned motorists to avoid driving on the A9 Inverness to Thurso road between Sutherland and Caithness.

A section of the A9 was closed in both directions near Golspie due to a two-vehicle crash.

Two people were taken to hospital following the incident which took place near Kirkton Cottages.

The road was closed for more than two hours.

Traffic moving slowly on the A9 at Berriedale
Traffic slowly travelling southbound on the A9 at Berriedale. Image: Matt George.

A police spokeswoman said: “We were made aware of a two-vehicle crash on the A9 near Golspie around 10.50am. Two people were taken to hospital.”

The road was restricted in both directions at Tomich due to flooding on the carriageway near the Invergordon junction but has since reopened.

Police also reported flooding at Bridge of Oich on the A82 which was dealt with by officers and Transport Scotland.

Snow on A9
Snow fell on the A9 overnight. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson.

Snow on the roads and slippery conditions also caused some travel chaos yesterday on the A9 near Dunrobin Castle, between Brora and Helmsdale and at Berriedale Braes, as well as on the A835 at Leckmelm east of Ullapool.

Residents took to social media to share photos of the snow as it caused difficult driving conditions on the roads.

The A9 was also blocked near Dornoch junction due to a fallen tree.

Flights and trains cancelled or delayed

Passengers who were booked to fly from Aberdeen to Wick on Saturday morning were forced into a five-hour taxi journey north after cancelled flights.

The weather also caused a number of train services to be delayed or cancelled on Saturday afternoon, including journeys between Glasgow and Oban, and Inverness and Elgin, which are now running again.

Snow on a wall in Ellon
Snow in Ellon on Saturday. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson.

However, services between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh are being cancelled on Sunday due to flooding.

There are also speed restrictions on Sunday between Inverness and Dingwall, and services to and from Aberdeen may also be delayed or cancelled.

 

This includes services between Inverness and Dingwall.

North-east roads impacted by weather

Footprints in snow in Ellon
Snow fell in Ellon overnight as temperatures dipped. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson.

Many people took to social media to share updates on the road conditions across Moray and Aberdeenshire.

The A90 at Inverugie Bridge near Peterhead was badly impacted by flooding in both directions on Saturday.

There was also a build-up of water on the A96 at Bridge of Haughs near Keith.

The snow gates at Cock Bridge and Tomintoul were closed overnight on Friday but reopened by noon on Saturday as temperatures increased.

Further weather warnings issued

A man clearing the paths of snow in Newmachar
A man clearing the paths of snow in Newmachar on Saturday. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson.

A yellow weather warning for wind comes into effect at noon on Sunday across all of Grampian and the Highlands and islands, except Shetland.

Residents have been warned strong winds may lead to further disruption as the day goes on.

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