Weather Update and Schools position as at 12.45pm

25th February 2010

A total of 16 secondary schools and 72 primary schools were closed today (Thursday) as a result of the continuing adverse weather.



Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross



Primary School Closures (29): Ardross; , Bonar Bridge; Bower;, Bridgend (Alness); Coulhill (Alness); Craighill (Tain); Crossroads (Caithness); Dornoch;, Edderton; Gledfield (Ardgay); Halkirk; Helmsdale; Hill of Fearn; Hilton of Cadboll; Inver; Kiltearn; Kinbrace; Kinlochbervie; Lairg; Milton; Newmore; Obsdale; Reay; Rogart; Rosehall; Scourie; South Lodge (Invergordon); St Duthus Special School (Tain); Tarbat Old.



Secondary School Closures (8): Alness Academy; Dornoch Academy; Farr High School; Golspie High School; Invergordon Academy; Kinlochbervie High; Tain Royal Academy; and Thurso High School.





Ross, Skye and Lochaber



Primary School Closures: (23) Avoch; Caol; Conon Bridge: Cromarty; Dingwall; Ferintosh; Glencoe; Inverasdale; Marybank; Maryburgh; Mulbuie; Munlochy; North Kessock; Resolis; Roybridge; Spean Bridge; St Clements Special School, Dingwall; Strathconon; Strathgarve; Strathpeffer; Tarradale; Tore; Upper Achintore Primary, Fort William.



Secondary School Closures (4): Dingwall Academy; Fortrose Academy, Lochaber High and Ullapool High.





Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey



Primary School Closures: (20) Abernethy; Alvie; Aviemore; Beauly; Carrbridge; Cawdor; Croy; Dalwhinnie; Deshar (Boat of Garten); Foyers; Gergask; Grantown; Kilchuimen; Kingussie; Kirkhill; Muirtown, Inverness; Newtonmore; Strathdearn; Teanassie; Tomnacross Primary.



Secondary School Closures: (4) Charleston Academy; Culloden Academy (S1-3 only); Grantown Grammar; Kingussie High.



The following is a road report for the Highlands.



(1) Badenoch & Strathspey

Around 30cm of lying snow. Drifting on high routes. Problems with stuck lorries and other vehicles on various roads first thing. Snow still falling. Still working on main routes. A939 Dava & Bridge of Brown, B9007 Ferness, C38 Ski road all closed.

(2) Nairn

1" wet snow on low ground, 6" plus drifting on higher ground. Treating roads by priority. A939 and B9007 closed south of snow gates.

(3) Inverness

Generally, 1" of snow in the town and on roads around sea level. All now treated and generally black. Higher roads (south Loch Ness side) up to 6" lying snow but all bladed and passable with care. Biggest drifts in and around Moy (up to 4ft) but plough has worked through them and the road is open, Wind is causing issues with drifting on some higher roads.

(4) Ross & Cromarty

Fresh overnight snow at all levels. Coastal routes 2 to 5cms of wet snow. High level routes up to 20cms with drifting.

(5) Lochaber

Snowed through the night, 2-4" wet snow low level up to 10" higher up. Mallaig area least affected. Higher levels of Fort William badly affected with snow and abandoned cars.

(6) Sutherland

All roads affected by a heavy covering of snow, Generally 6 - 10 inches of snow above 100m with drifting and larger volumes on higher ground.
A836 Lairg - Tongue Closed
A837 Rosehall - Ledmore Junction Closed - Heavy snow up to 2ft with drifting - lorry off the road causing closure
A838 Lairg - Laxford - Passable with extreme care - up to 18 inches of snow
A894 Skiag Bridge - Kylesku Drifting snow - passable with care
A897 Kinbrace - Melvich - Impassable - Drifts up 4ft - lorry returning to Strathy for "V plough"
B9176 Struie Road - Snow gates closed

(7) Caithness

Generally 4-6 inches on low ground but as yet no roads closed.