Road crews in Orkney were “facing a losing battle” as islanders experienced their worst snowfall in years.
Orkney was launched into a state of lockdown overnight as heavy snow showers sparked safety fears.
Islanders were being told to stay indoors and seek shelter as drifting snow and blizzards left communities cut off.
Meanwhile, motorists were left stuck in deep snow for several hours as schools and community facilities closed to public access.
Road crews faced the impossible task of trying to clear the road network as conditions deteriorated.
However, on Thursday evening, local authority officials recalled workers as they deemed it “no longer safe for them” to be working.
Community bands together to get people on the move
24 hours on, a massive clean-up operation is under way as the snow begins to thaw.
Councillor Graham Bevan, a representative for Stromness and South Isles, said it was the worst snowfall recorded in Orkney for some time.
He said: “It was probably the most snow we have had in quite a number of years. I have grandchildren that had never seen snow like this up to now. That’s an interesting factor, when you think about the generations of youngsters in nursery and primary one who haven’t experienced such a flurry of snow.
“When the snow ploughs were out, which was pretty much around the clock, they were fighting a losing battle. No sooner had they cleared a road than it snowed back in behind them.
“It was cold, there was a lot of snow on the ground and the roads were blocked in so many places you just couldn’t expect to be able to get through in the middle of the night. There was no capability of keeping the roads open under these circumstances.”
Local farmers and road crews worked through the night to clear nearby junctions and roads as conditions began to improve.
Douglas Paterson a fifth-generation farmer on the Orkney mainland braved the blizzard conditions to rescue a stranded carer before helping her visit an elderly patient.
Islanders were warned by council officials to stay off the roads and seek shelter from the elements.
In a statement, posted on Orkney Island Council’s Facebook page, officials called for a ban on travel over safety fears.
They wrote: “The conditions have become so bad, due to drifting, that we’ve had to recall our road crews as it is no longer safe for them.
“They’ve done their very best, but as soon as they clear roads they are simply filling in again.
“In the meantime, if you find yourself stranded in your car please contact emergency services.
“People should absolutely not be out on the roads at the moment.
“Stay where you are.”
They added: “We would encourage folk if they find themselves stuck in Kirkwall, Stromness, etc, to try and find a bed for the night. Orkney being Orkney, we’re already seeing some offers coming in on this thread.”
Ferry passengers stranded in Kirkwall due to increased levels of snow
People stranded in Kirkwall and Stromness were also being encouraged to seek shelter from the harsh weather.
Among those seeking shelter were ferry passengers, who arrived into the port shortly after 11pm.
Mr Bevan said with roads closed, ferry passengers were at a loss for where to turn.
He added: “We had ferries come in late at night into Kirkwall, on the basis that the main lifeline ferry from Scrabster to Stromness is on refit. That’s why there are extra sailings on the Aberdeen to Shetland route, coming into Kirkwall.
“There were, probably, more passengers coming off that ferry than would have normally been the case, coming in very late at night and the roads not being open. That created a big problem.”
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