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Big freeze brings coldest night Big freeze brings coldest night
(30 minutes later)
A tiny village in the Highlands has experienced the coldest night of the winter in the UK.A tiny village in the Highlands has experienced the coldest night of the winter in the UK.
Across Scotland, temperatures overnight dropped well below freezing with -22.3C recorded at Altnaharra in Sutherland.Across Scotland, temperatures overnight dropped well below freezing with -22.3C recorded at Altnaharra in Sutherland.
The remote village already shares the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in the UK, having experienced -27.2C on 30 December, 1995.The remote village already shares the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in the UK, having experienced -27.2C on 30 December, 1995.
The Met Office said temperatures were set to stay below zero and there was a risk of further snow in the north.The Met Office said temperatures were set to stay below zero and there was a risk of further snow in the north.
However, plans to hold one of the largest curling events in Scotland for 30 years have been called off.However, plans to hold one of the largest curling events in Scotland for 30 years have been called off.
It had been proposed to stage the Bonspiel, or Grand Match, on the frozen Lake of Menteith near Aberfoyle next week, but the emergency services said they could not guarantee the players' safety.It had been proposed to stage the Bonspiel, or Grand Match, on the frozen Lake of Menteith near Aberfoyle next week, but the emergency services said they could not guarantee the players' safety.
Cold nightsCold nights
Overnight temperatures fell to -19.5C at Braemar in Aberdeenshire and -14C in Aberdeen.Overnight temperatures fell to -19.5C at Braemar in Aberdeenshire and -14C in Aberdeen.
Around Edinburgh the overnight temperature was -11C in Edinburgh and in the Glasgow area it was -10C.Around Edinburgh the overnight temperature was -11C in Edinburgh and in the Glasgow area it was -10C.
The Met Office said the geography of the area around Altnaharra contributed to the cold temperatures often seen there.The Met Office said the geography of the area around Altnaharra contributed to the cold temperatures often seen there.
Met Office spokesman Barry Gromett said: "It sits in a glen and there is a lot of snow there, so there is snow covering, long cold nights and no wind.Met Office spokesman Barry Gromett said: "It sits in a glen and there is a lot of snow there, so there is snow covering, long cold nights and no wind.
"It is also in a bowl, effectively with mountains surrounding it, which means that cold air pools down at the bottom."It is also in a bowl, effectively with mountains surrounding it, which means that cold air pools down at the bottom.
"Cold air is denser than warm air so it will flow down the mountain and pool at the bottom of the valley.""Cold air is denser than warm air so it will flow down the mountain and pool at the bottom of the valley."
Hundreds of schools remained closed across Scotland.Hundreds of schools remained closed across Scotland.
All schools were shut in the Borders while most schools in Aberdeenshire and Moray were also closed.All schools were shut in the Borders while most schools in Aberdeenshire and Moray were also closed.
Temperatures plunged well below freezing across the country School closures for Friday 'Valiant efforts' tackle snowfall Ambulance crews struggle in snow Driver killed awaiting assistance Q&A: Car care in the cold snap BBC Scotland travelTemperatures plunged well below freezing across the country School closures for Friday 'Valiant efforts' tackle snowfall Ambulance crews struggle in snow Driver killed awaiting assistance Q&A: Car care in the cold snap BBC Scotland travel
Schools in Highland and West Lothian council areas are not due back until Monday, however Highland Council is due to make a decision about whether the schools will open as planned.Schools in Highland and West Lothian council areas are not due back until Monday, however Highland Council is due to make a decision about whether the schools will open as planned.
Parents elsewhere are being urged to check their council's websites for local problems.Parents elsewhere are being urged to check their council's websites for local problems.
In the Grampian area, police are urging drivers not to ignore road closed signs after a car crashed into a digger which was helping clear away a previous accident on the A947 near Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire.In the Grampian area, police are urging drivers not to ignore road closed signs after a car crashed into a digger which was helping clear away a previous accident on the A947 near Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire.
Meanwhile, urgent talks are going on between Scotland Office officials and the Department of Transport to relax European Driving Time regulations, for hauliers transporting anti-freeze to airports. Meanwhile, European Driving Time regulations have been relaxed for hauliers transporting anti-freeze to airports.
The rules prohibit lorry drivers from working more than 90 hours in a fortnight.The rules prohibit lorry drivers from working more than 90 hours in a fortnight.
SNP MP Angus Robertson said a haulier had told him drivers were having to park up while delivering vital supplies, to comply with the restrictions. Now drivers will be able to work for 10 hours in every 24, instead of only nine.
A spokesman for Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said it was hoped a ruling on derogation, or opting out, of the European rules would be announced soon. Earlier the SNP MP for Moray, Angus Robertson, had said deliveries of vital supplies had been delayed because drivers were having to park up to comply with the restrictions.
Salt stocksSalt stocks
The regulations were suspended for the drivers of grit lorries and manufactured animal feed in the past few days.The regulations were suspended for the drivers of grit lorries and manufactured animal feed in the past few days.
Councils across the country have reported that grit and salt stocks are low but thousands of extra tonnes are being brought in.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 past 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 past three weeks - 12,000 tonnes - than it usually uses in an average winter.
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.
In East Renfrewshire, thieves are suspected to have used a large vehicle and lifting gear to steal a grit bin with two tonnes of salt from a road.In East Renfrewshire, thieves are suspected to have used a large vehicle and lifting gear to steal a grit bin with two tonnes of salt from a road.
The bright-yellow fibreglass bin and its load, worth £300, were removed from the junction of Capelrig and Crookfur Road, Newton Mearns, on Thursday.The bright-yellow fibreglass bin and its load, worth £300, were removed from the junction of Capelrig and Crookfur Road, Newton Mearns, on Thursday.
Elsewhere, farmers' leader Tom Johnston, of NFU Scotland, said hundreds of agricultural buildings had collapsed under the weight of snow across the north and north-east of Scotland.Elsewhere, farmers' leader Tom Johnston, of NFU Scotland, said hundreds of agricultural buildings had collapsed under the weight of snow across the north and north-east of Scotland.
He estimated the cost of the damage would run to millions of pounds.He estimated the cost of the damage would run to millions of pounds.
The icy conditions have also meant the Scottish Ambulance Service has been struggling to answer emergency calls within its own target times.The icy conditions have also meant the Scottish Ambulance Service has been struggling to answer emergency calls within its own target times.
Paramedics aim to respond to the most serious emergencies within eight minutes in 75% of cases.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 due to the snow and ice and the performance figure was as low as 53% seven days ago.But ambulances only turned up on time in 65% of cases on Wednesday due to the snow and ice 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.Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon told BBC Scotland the ambulance service had faced a very challenging few days.
Are you a parent affected by school closures due to the bad weather? Have you had to take time off work to care for your school-age children? Let us know your experiences.Are you a parent affected by school closures due to the bad weather? Have you had to take time off work to care for your school-age children? Let us know your experiences.
If you have weather-related pictures send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.If you have weather-related pictures send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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