SCOTLAND escaped the worst of the return of ice and snow in the so-called “mini beast from the east” that struck the UK yesterday, but there was still considerable travel disruption.
Across many parts of Scotland a yellow warning of ice remained in place, running from 6pm on Sunday until 10am today. It covers Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, the Highlands and western isles, southern Scotland and Strathclyde.
There was also a dramatic rescue in the Arrochar Alps in Argyll late on Saturday night when a hillwalker had to be brought down via stretcher from The Cobbler, also known as Ben Arthur. It was suspected the walker had sustained a broken ankle.
So bad was the weather that members of Arrochar Mountain Rescue were unable to call in help from Prestwick Coastguard and had to carry the injured women from the northwest slopes of the mountain to a waiting ambulance.
Prestwick Coastguard helicopter crew had hoped to assist in the rescue but were prevented from doing so by the weather.
Yesterday it was a case of travel disruption in Scotland rather than “threat to life” in parts of England as the icy weather hit south of the Border – up to 25cm of snow fell in some areas.
A Met Office amber warning of a possible risk to life because of snow is in place in south-west England until the early hours of today.
There were no reports of any fatalities, but snow caused chaos on many roads with accidents reported across England, and many sporting events were cancelled.
Some flights to and from Scotland were also cancelled following heavy snow in the south of England.
Bristol airport’s runway was closed on Sunday morning, and Edinburgh Airport said that flights to and from Heathrow were also affected. Five arrivals and five departures were cancelled on Sunday.
In Scotland the main road closure was the A939 at Cockbridge where the snow gates were closed yesterday, though Police Scotland said access will remain open at Blairnamarrow to allow access to the Lecht Ski Centre.
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