Stranded drivers rescued from 'waist deep' snow

Drivers have been rescued from ‘waist deep’ snow as severe weather conditions hit Scotland.

Around 20 cars and a jacknifed lorry – which sparked the chaos – were stuck on the A835 between Ullapool and Garve near Loch Droma overnight, with emergency services on the scene.

A rescue operation was underway on Friday morning as Highland Council warned motorists to stay away from the area.

Traffic cameras showed emergency services at the scene on the A835. Contributed

Network Rail said services have been disrupted on the Highland Mainline despite plough trains being used to clear snow.

An amber warning has been active for large parts of the country since 3pm on Thursday and will be ongoing until Saturday.

STV meteorologist Sean Batty is expecting the north of Scotland to see similar scenes to the 2018 Beast from the East, which brought the central belt to a standstill.

The heaviest snowfall is expected to hit areas including Crieff, Aberfeldy and Pitlochry in Perthshire, Ballater, Braemar and Inverurie in Aberdeenshire, Keith and Dufftown in Moray, and Aviemore, Beauly, Dingwall and Dornoch in the Highlands.

And the conditions are causing disruption on Friday morning with commuters advised not to travel unless necessary.

The Met Office also said communities could become cut off for several days, adding: “Long interruptions to power supplies and other services, such as gas, water, telephone and mobile phone coverage could occur.”

Meanwhile, a separate warning for snow is in place until midday on Saturday stretching from Inveraray in Argyll and Bute across to Stirlingshire and parts of Fife, right up to Aberdeen as well as Wick in the Highlands.

Police on the scene of the stranded cars. STV News

Elsewhere, Bear Scotland said the A85 is closed west of Methven in Perth and Kinross due to flooding caused by surface water and all vehicles except HGVs and buses are being diverted.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was concerned severe weather may have an impact on the Covid-19 vaccination programme, but said plans were in place to help protect the rollout.