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Temperatures to plummet further Temperatures to plummet further
(about 6 hours later)
Scotland is bracing itself for further disruption as temperatures are set to plummet over the next few days.Scotland is bracing itself for further disruption as temperatures are set to plummet over the next few days.
On Thursday temperatures fell to levels as low as -17C, at Altnaharra in the Highlands.On Thursday temperatures fell to levels as low as -17C, at Altnaharra in the Highlands.
And forecasters warned they could fall to -20C in the North East and Highlands at the weekend. And forecasters warned they could fall to -20C in the north east and Highlands at the weekend.
Councils across the country have reported that grit and salt stocks are low but thousands of extra tonnes are being brought in. The Scottish Ambulance Service has also been struggling to answer emergency calls within its own target times because of snow and ice.
Paramedics aim to respond to the most serious emergencies within eight minutes in 75% of cases.
But ambulances only turned up on time in 65% of cases on Wednesday and the performance figure was as low as 53% seven days ago.
Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon told BBC Scotland the ambulance service had faced a very challenging few days.
She said: "I think most people will understand, as motorists find a lot of the road conditions with heavy snow very difficult, so too do people driving ambulances.
All our staff deserve credit for their commitment in dealing with conditions and delivering services in the face of real adversity Pauline HowieScottish Ambulance Service
"But the ambulance service is working hard to ensure that that impact is minimised, prioritising emergency cases and taking a whole range of actions to ensure that it can respond quickly and to the standard that people expect it to."
Pauline Howie, chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: "It is not surprising that in such extraordinary weather conditions response time performance has dropped temporarily, however all our staff deserve credit for their commitment in dealing with conditions and delivering services in the face of real adversity."
Contingency plans implemented across the country include the provision of 4X4 vehicles and support from mountain rescue services, the Red Cross, Coastguard and the Ministry of Defence.
Meanwhile, councils across the country have reported that grit and salt stocks are low but thousands of extra tonnes are being brought in.
West Lothian Council said it had already used more salt and grit in the last three weeks - 12,000 tonnes - than it usually uses in an average winter.West Lothian Council said it had already used more salt and grit in the last three weeks - 12,000 tonnes - than it usually uses in an average winter.
The winter whiteout conditions affecting the UK are clearly visible in this satellite imageEnlarge Image
A spokesman said it was also using whindust and ash for residential streets, which it admitted was not as effective as salt but would help the situation.A spokesman said it was also using whindust and ash for residential streets, which it admitted was not as effective as salt but would help the situation.
And Edinburgh City Council used 100 tonnes of salt on Wednesday night alone.And Edinburgh City Council used 100 tonnes of salt on Wednesday night alone.
Hundreds of schools are likely to remain closed on Friday, with Scottish Borders Council already announcing that all of its schools would stay shut until Monday.Hundreds of schools are likely to remain closed on Friday, with Scottish Borders Council already announcing that all of its schools would stay shut until Monday.
The winter whiteout conditions affecting the UK are clearly visible in this satellite imageEnlarge Image
On Thursday, 168 schools were closed or partially closed in Aberdeenshire, 42 in Moray, 19 in Aberdeen, 16 in Shetland and four in Orkney, along with dozens of other schools across the country.On Thursday, 168 schools were closed or partially closed in Aberdeenshire, 42 in Moray, 19 in Aberdeen, 16 in Shetland and four in Orkney, along with dozens of other schools across the country.
A 42-year-old man was killed by a lorry on the A1 in the Scottish Borders as he waited for a recovery vehicle to come to his aid.A 42-year-old man was killed by a lorry on the A1 in the Scottish Borders as he waited for a recovery vehicle to come to his aid.
And a farmer was taken to hospital after a large cattle shed collapsed in Aberdeenshire. A number of cattle died in the incident.And a farmer was taken to hospital after a large cattle shed collapsed in Aberdeenshire. A number of cattle died in the incident.
Three more buildings have collapsed in Aberdeenshire because of the weight of snow on roofs. Grampian Police said no-one haD been hurt in the incidents at farm in Huntly, a dog breeders in Insch and a garage in Aberchirder.
Grampian Fire and Rescue Service said they had rescued about 100 dogs from the breeders.
A Sea King stranded at Borders General Hospital with frozen gear oil/Pic: Ronnie Dornan
Conditions on the roads remain tricky, with the colder temperatures leading to warnings of the dangers posed by ice.
Work is also getting under way on removing a derailed freight train which crashed off the tracks at the Highland village of Carrbridge on Monday.
Network Rail said it hoped the affected line will be reopened early next week.
A Nasa satellite image received by the University of Dundee shows almost the whole of the UK covered in a white blanket of snow and ice.A Nasa satellite image received by the University of Dundee shows almost the whole of the UK covered in a white blanket of snow and ice.
During First Minister's Questions, Labour leader Iain Gray accused the Scottish government of complacency and being slow to react to the weather crisis. During First Minister's Questions on Thursday, Labour leader Iain Gray accused the Scottish government of complacency and being slow to react to the weather crisis.
Mr Gray told First Minister Alex Salmond to "get a grip" of the crisis.Mr Gray told First Minister Alex Salmond to "get a grip" of the crisis.
Mr Salmond rejected the accusation and said the Labour leader had misjudged the mood.Mr Salmond rejected the accusation and said the Labour leader had misjudged the mood.
"Iain Gray should try to rise to the occasion and get together with the all-Scotland team that is taking Scotland through this crisis," he said."Iain Gray should try to rise to the occasion and get together with the all-Scotland team that is taking Scotland through this crisis," he said.
Hotline plea
Mr Gray also called on the first minister to set up a national hotline number for vulnerable people within 24 hours.
But Mr Salmond said local authorities did not want this, preferring instead to stick with existing numbers.
Mr Gray praised the "often-unsung heroes" who were doing their best to help friends and neighbours but added that "the Scottish people rightly expect that the Scottish government will do its bit too".
He said: "So they must have been astonished on Monday to hear a bumbling John Swinney say that as far as he could see, there were perfectly adequate walking conditions in Scotland."
Mr Salmond said Mr Swinney, in "sharp contrast" to some Westminster ministers, had been working with other Scottish government colleagues throughout the holiday period to ensure ministerial direction for the crisis committee which met daily.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has visited young offenders at a Dunfermline sheltered housing complex, where they have been clearing the pavements since before Christmas.
Mr MacAskill said similar work was being done across Scotland, including Glasgow, Ayrshire and the Highlands.
Home Heat Helpline, a freephone service set up to tackle fuel poverty and help vulnerable energy customers, urged anyone worried about coping with extra heating costs to contact them on 0800 33 66 99 or check their website.
Meanwhile, businesses leaders have warned that the bad weather was costing Scotland's economy up to £60m a day.
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