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Cold maintains grip on Scotland Cold maintains grip on Scotland
(about 6 hours later)
Forecasters have said temperatures in Scotland will remain very low over the weekend, with little let up until next week and more snow likey. Forecasters have said temperatures in Scotland will remain very low over the weekend, with little let up until next week and more snow likely.
Overnight temperatures into Saturday were higher than the previous night, with a low of -14.9C recorded at Dalwhinnie in the Highlands.Overnight temperatures into Saturday were higher than the previous night, with a low of -14.9C recorded at Dalwhinnie in the Highlands.
However, fresh snow fell on several areas of the country, and forecasters have warned more snow is on the way.However, fresh snow fell on several areas of the country, and forecasters have warned more snow is on the way.
Ten Scottish Cup fixtures were postponed due to the icy conditions.Ten Scottish Cup fixtures were postponed due to the icy conditions.
The temperature in Strathallan, near Perth, was -13.9C on Friday night, while in Glasgow it reached as low as -11C. Edinburgh was slightly warmer, with the temperature in the capital dropping to -9C.The temperature in Strathallan, near Perth, was -13.9C on Friday night, while in Glasgow it reached as low as -11C. Edinburgh was slightly warmer, with the temperature in the capital dropping to -9C.
Temperatures had plummeted even further the previous night, with residents of Altnaharra in Sutherland shivering in temperatures as low as -22.3C, which was almost as cold as the -22.9C recorded in the South Pole.Temperatures had plummeted even further the previous night, with residents of Altnaharra in Sutherland shivering in temperatures as low as -22.3C, which was almost as cold as the -22.9C recorded in the South Pole.
For those who are due to sit prelims in the coming weeks, there is flexibility around when these exams take place Mike RussellEducation SecretaryFor those who are due to sit prelims in the coming weeks, there is flexibility around when these exams take place Mike RussellEducation Secretary
The Met Office said there would be wintry showers across the country on Saturday, although these were not expected to be heavy.The Met Office said there would be wintry showers across the country on Saturday, although these were not expected to be heavy.
The majority of areas would have an otherwise bright and sunny day, although temperatures will generally remain below freezing, and there is a risk of some patches of freezing fog.The majority of areas would have an otherwise bright and sunny day, although temperatures will generally remain below freezing, and there is a risk of some patches of freezing fog.
Conditions are expected to be similar over the next few days, although temperatures will rise slightly and frosts will become less severe by Tuesday.Conditions are expected to be similar over the next few days, although temperatures will rise slightly and frosts will become less severe by Tuesday.
However, Tuesday is also likely to see further snow, with the worst of it likely to fall in the east of Scotland, the Highlands and the Southern Uplands.However, Tuesday is also likely to see further snow, with the worst of it likely to fall in the east of Scotland, the Highlands and the Southern Uplands.
ScotRail has been forced to make timetable changes due to the severe weather, with the busy Edinburgh to Glasgow line just one of the routes that is now on a reduced timetable.ScotRail has been forced to make timetable changes due to the severe weather, with the busy Edinburgh to Glasgow line just one of the routes that is now on a reduced timetable.
The line has now reopened between Aberdeen and Inverurie and between Elgin and Inverness, but is still closed between Inverness and Elgin.The line has now reopened between Aberdeen and Inverurie and between Elgin and Inverness, but is still closed between Inverness and Elgin.
Elsewhere, as many as 60 people took part in a curling game under floodlights on the Lake of Menteith on Friday night, and two ice hockey teams are expected to play on the frozen lake over the weekend.Elsewhere, as many as 60 people took part in a curling game under floodlights on the Lake of Menteith on Friday night, and two ice hockey teams are expected to play on the frozen lake over the weekend.
Temperatures will remain low, with further snow possible December was coldest for 30 years Coldest place residents 'coping' Grand Match off over safety fears Thieves steal two tonne grit binTemperatures will remain low, with further snow possible December was coldest for 30 years Coldest place residents 'coping' Grand Match off over safety fears Thieves steal two tonne grit bin
It had been hoped that a Grand Match - also known as a Bonspiel - would be able to be played there for the first time since 1979 thanks to the longest cold snap in decades, but the curling competition had to be cancelled because emergency services said it was not possible to address all the health and safety issues in the time available.It had been hoped that a Grand Match - also known as a Bonspiel - would be able to be played there for the first time since 1979 thanks to the longest cold snap in decades, but the curling competition had to be cancelled because emergency services said it was not possible to address all the health and safety issues in the time available.
Meanwhile, First Minister Alex Salmond has said he would "vigorously defend" Scotland's interests to maintain salt supplies.Meanwhile, First Minister Alex Salmond has said he would "vigorously defend" Scotland's interests to maintain salt supplies.
About 7,000 tonnes of salt were used in the 24 hours to Friday night.About 7,000 tonnes of salt were used in the 24 hours to Friday night.
Mr Salmond's comments came as Finance Secretary John Swinney took part in the first UK-wide civil contingencies committee meeting.Mr Salmond's comments came as Finance Secretary John Swinney took part in the first UK-wide civil contingencies committee meeting.
A Scottish government spokesman said: "Careful husbandry of salt supplies has protected our position through this long and protracted period of winter weather.A Scottish government spokesman said: "Careful husbandry of salt supplies has protected our position through this long and protracted period of winter weather.
"We are drawing on stocks which are now closer to 40,000 tonnes."We are drawing on stocks which are now closer to 40,000 tonnes.
"Now the UK government has activated the Salt Cell, we are dependent on that system for getting equitable supplies appropriate for the challenges we face in Scotland.""Now the UK government has activated the Salt Cell, we are dependent on that system for getting equitable supplies appropriate for the challenges we face in Scotland."
Temperatures plunged well below freezing across the country '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 'Valiant efforts' tackle snowfall Ambulance crews struggle in snow Driver killed awaiting assistance Q&A: Car care in the cold snap BBC Scotland travel
Hundreds of schools were closed by the weather last week, with decisions on whether or not they are likely to reopen expected to be made by Sunday afternoon.Hundreds of schools were closed by the weather last week, with decisions on whether or not they are likely to reopen expected to be made by Sunday afternoon.
Parents were urged to check with their local authority website for the latest information.Parents were urged to check with their local authority website for the latest information.
School children have been reassured about exams that may be disrupted by the weather.School children have been reassured about exams that may be disrupted by the weather.
Education Secretary Mike Russell said: "There are no SQA national exams due to take place until April and many pupils have taken their prelims before the Christmas break.Education Secretary Mike Russell said: "There are no SQA national exams due to take place until April and many pupils have taken their prelims before the Christmas break.
"For those who are due to sit prelims in the coming weeks, there is flexibility around when these exams take place.""For those who are due to sit prelims in the coming weeks, there is flexibility around when these exams take place."
ScotRail announced that a reduced timetable would operate on the Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street line and on selected routes in and out of Glasgow Central because of the severe weather conditions.ScotRail announced that a reduced timetable would operate on the Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street line and on selected routes in and out of Glasgow Central because of the severe weather conditions.
Scottish Water said it had mobilised an army of staff and additional resources to minimise the impact of the severe weather on their customers after it experienced 305 burst pipes across the country last week, more than four times the normal rate.Scottish Water said it had mobilised an army of staff and additional resources to minimise the impact of the severe weather on their customers after it experienced 305 burst pipes across the country last week, more than four times the normal rate.
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.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.
Despite the travel, school and heating problems caused by the cold weather, it's a happy time for children.Despite the travel, school and heating problems caused by the cold weather, it's a happy time for children.
Sledges and skis are once again being called into action over the weekend.Sledges and skis are once again being called into action over the weekend.
But where is the best sledging slope in Scotland?But where is the best sledging slope in Scotland?
Send us your pictures with one line telling us why your hill is just perfect.Send us your pictures with one line telling us why your hill is just perfect.
Send your pictures and videos to newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.ukSend your pictures and videos to newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.