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Travel caution urged as Scotland gets back to work and school Travel caution urged as Scotland gets back to work and school
(about 3 hours later)
People have been urged to continue to travel with caution as Scotland gradually recovers from the impact of last week's severe weather.People have been urged to continue to travel with caution as Scotland gradually recovers from the impact of last week's severe weather.
Met Office yellow warnings for snow and ice remain in place for large parts of the country until 21:00 on Tuesday.Met Office yellow warnings for snow and ice remain in place for large parts of the country until 21:00 on Tuesday.
Most schools reopened on Monday, while pupils in Fife, Borders and West Lothian will return on Tuesday.Most schools reopened on Monday, while pupils in Fife, Borders and West Lothian will return on Tuesday.
Some rural communities are still cut off, including in the Carron Valley area in Stirlingshire.Some rural communities are still cut off, including in the Carron Valley area in Stirlingshire.
Stuart Ballantyne from Trossachs Search and Rescue told BBC Scotland: "We were asked by Stirling Council if we could deliver food supplies to about 30 residents who have been trapped by snow for several days and the operation has been ongoing all afternoon.Stuart Ballantyne from Trossachs Search and Rescue told BBC Scotland: "We were asked by Stirling Council if we could deliver food supplies to about 30 residents who have been trapped by snow for several days and the operation has been ongoing all afternoon.
"The snow at present on the roads is about 5-6ft deep and there's a JCB digging away but they are still probably about half a kilometre away from the houses.""The snow at present on the roads is about 5-6ft deep and there's a JCB digging away but they are still probably about half a kilometre away from the houses."
Stevie Coombes, a rescue volunteer who reached the residents after a two -hour trek through the snow, told BBC Scotland: "They were just happy to see us and happy to get some supplies.Stevie Coombes, a rescue volunteer who reached the residents after a two -hour trek through the snow, told BBC Scotland: "They were just happy to see us and happy to get some supplies.
"One farmer made us a flask of bovril which was nice. They are all in pretty good spirits." "One farmer made us a flask of Bovril which was nice. They are all in pretty good spirits."
Resident Norman Lynch said: "We have quite a thick fog here as well. Visibility is quite low.
"We are not able to get out with any vehicles - the road is totally impassable.
"We've personally been stuck for six days. That's the last time we could use the road with a 4x4."
A number of low level flood alerts are in place for Edinburgh, the Lothians, the Borders, Fife, Dundee, Angus, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.A number of low level flood alerts are in place for Edinburgh, the Lothians, the Borders, Fife, Dundee, Angus, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Flooding near Montrose has caused disruption to trains from the central belt to Aberdeen.Flooding near Montrose has caused disruption to trains from the central belt to Aberdeen.
The Scottish government said people could still expect to face "challenging" conditions in some areas.The Scottish government said people could still expect to face "challenging" conditions in some areas.
Scottish Borders Council said 19 rural primary schools remained closed on Monday morning and secondary schools only reopened for S4-S6 pupils.Scottish Borders Council said 19 rural primary schools remained closed on Monday morning and secondary schools only reopened for S4-S6 pupils.
It said all schools would be open as normal on Tuesday, although some rural school transport could be affected by local conditions.It said all schools would be open as normal on Tuesday, although some rural school transport could be affected by local conditions.
All schools and nurseries in both Fife Council and West Lothian Council areas were closed on Monday but will reopen on Tuesday.All schools and nurseries in both Fife Council and West Lothian Council areas were closed on Monday but will reopen on Tuesday.
The decision to keep Fife schools shut was questioned by the SNP MSP for Dunfermline, Shirley-Anne Somerville, who described it as "very disappointing".The decision to keep Fife schools shut was questioned by the SNP MSP for Dunfermline, Shirley-Anne Somerville, who described it as "very disappointing".
"While this may be necessary for some schools, it surely can't be the case for all," she wrote on Facebook."While this may be necessary for some schools, it surely can't be the case for all," she wrote on Facebook.
"This will put further pressure on parents/carers who will need to take yet another day off work.""This will put further pressure on parents/carers who will need to take yet another day off work."
Carrie Lindsay, the council's executive director for education, said the decision to close all schools had been one of the hardest she had faced.Carrie Lindsay, the council's executive director for education, said the decision to close all schools had been one of the hardest she had faced.
"I am acutely aware of the need to get our children back in the classroom to continue their learning as well as to allow our parents back to work," she said."I am acutely aware of the need to get our children back in the classroom to continue their learning as well as to allow our parents back to work," she said.
"Lots of factors had to be considered and in the end it came down to one thing - we couldn't be confident that children and families could get to school safely.""Lots of factors had to be considered and in the end it came down to one thing - we couldn't be confident that children and families could get to school safely."
ScotRail has said the rail network was back to running a "near-normal" service.ScotRail has said the rail network was back to running a "near-normal" service.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "Conditions have improved significantly in many parts of the country but I would urge the Scottish public to remain vigilant.Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "Conditions have improved significantly in many parts of the country but I would urge the Scottish public to remain vigilant.
"Yellow (be aware) weather warnings are still in place across all but the most westerly parts of Scotland, and in most parts ice and surface water will create challenges for drivers on some minor roads."Yellow (be aware) weather warnings are still in place across all but the most westerly parts of Scotland, and in most parts ice and surface water will create challenges for drivers on some minor roads.
"The advice from Police Scotland is travel with caution in all areas, and drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and check weather forecasts.""The advice from Police Scotland is travel with caution in all areas, and drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and check weather forecasts."
The country ground to a halt last week as heavy snow falls prompted a red weather warning and the public were urged not to travel.The country ground to a halt last week as heavy snow falls prompted a red weather warning and the public were urged not to travel.
Pupils across much of the country spent at least three days at home as schools were closed.Pupils across much of the country spent at least three days at home as schools were closed.
Businesses were also affected with shops and offices forced to close and employers urged to allow staff to work from home.Businesses were also affected with shops and offices forced to close and employers urged to allow staff to work from home.