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Coldest night of 'winter freeze' Coldest night of 'winter freeze'
(21 minutes later)
Scotland has experienced the coldest night of the winter with temperatures reaching as low as -21C in some parts of the Highlands.Scotland has experienced the coldest night of the winter with temperatures reaching as low as -21C in some parts of the Highlands.
Across Scotland, temperatures overnight dropped well below freezing with -21.6C recorded at Altnahara in Sutherland.Across Scotland, temperatures overnight dropped well below freezing with -21.6C recorded at Altnahara in Sutherland.
Temperatures are set to stay below zero and there is a risk of further snow in the north.Temperatures are set to stay below zero and there is a risk of further snow in the north.
The Scottish Ambulance Service has been struggling to answer emergency calls within its own target times.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.
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.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 ServiceAll 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.""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."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.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.
All schools remain closed in the Borders, Highland and West Lothian council areas while most schools in Aberdeenshire and Moray are shut.All schools remain closed in the Borders, Highland and West Lothian council areas while most schools in Aberdeenshire and Moray are shut.
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.
There is also likely to be further disruption to those travelling, with icy roads, some freezing fog and delays to flights at many UK airports.There is also likely to be further disruption to those travelling, with icy roads, some freezing fog and delays to flights at many UK airports.
The winter whiteout conditions affecting the UK are clearly visible in this satellite imageEnlarge ImageThe winter whiteout conditions affecting the UK are clearly visible in this satellite imageEnlarge Image
Temperatures will stay bitterly cold this weekend. Pubs and club goers are being urged to make sure they have adequate clothing and to plan their journey home.Temperatures will stay bitterly cold this weekend. Pubs and club goers are being urged to make sure they have adequate clothing and to plan their journey home.
Meanwhile, councils across the country have reported that grit and salt stocks are low but thousands of extra tonnes are being brought in.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.
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.
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.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.
A Sea King stranded at Borders General Hospital with frozen gear oil/Pic: Ronnie DornanA Sea King stranded at Borders General Hospital with frozen gear oil/Pic: Ronnie Dornan
Grampian Fire and Rescue Service said they had rescued about 100 dogs from the breeders. Grampian Fire and Rescue Service said they had rescued about 100 dogs from the breeders. A number of horses were freed in a separate collapse.
Conditions on the roads remain tricky, with the colder temperatures leading to warnings of the dangers posed by ice.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.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.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 on Thursday, 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.
Are you in Altnahara, or any of the areas affected by the winter freeze? Send us your pictures, videos and stories.Are you in Altnahara, or any of the areas affected by the winter freeze? Send us your pictures, videos and stories.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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