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| Most schools open as freeze eases | |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| The vast majority of Scotland's schools are open, despite predictions of more harsh weather conditions. | |
| Wintry weather caused closures across Scotland last week, but ministers said more than 90% should be back to normal, thanks to a huge, local effort. | |
| Forecasters said the bitterly cold temperatures were letting up, but warned there could be more snow. | Forecasters said the bitterly cold temperatures were letting up, but warned there could be more snow. |
| Thousands of pupils were off school last week as the big freeze took hold across the country. | |
| However, a Scottish government spokeswoman said conditions were being closely monitored, with further sleet and snow showers forecast for many areas on Sunday night and Monday. | However, a Scottish government spokeswoman said conditions were being closely monitored, with further sleet and snow showers forecast for many areas on Sunday night and Monday. |
| Train services | Train services |
| She added: "Early indications today suggest over 90% of schools will be open - that is an increase from 87% on Friday, and is a significant step forward from Tuesday's 64%. | |
| "There will remain some closures tomorrow due to the ongoing severe weather, but it is clear that more and more schools are reopening as soon as it is safe and practicable." | "There will remain some closures tomorrow due to the ongoing severe weather, but it is clear that more and more schools are reopening as soon as it is safe and practicable." |
| The spokeswoman added: "A huge effort has gone into getting all these schools open - a collective effort by local authorities, janitors, support staff, head teachers, teachers and parents." | The spokeswoman added: "A huge effort has gone into getting all these schools open - a collective effort by local authorities, janitors, support staff, head teachers, teachers and parents." |
| Several Aberdeenshire and Moray schools were closed but to nowhere near the same extent as last week. All Aberdeen schools were able to open. | |
| In the Highlands 23 schools are not open. | |
| Most schools in the Borders are open after being closed all last week. | |
| ScotRail said trains are running between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street every half hour rather than the usual 15 minutes. | |
| An hourly service is also in operation between Glasgow Central and Paisley Canal and between Glasgow Central and Whifflet. | |
| Cathcart Circle services are suspended, while all Newton services are running via Maxwell Park, and all Neilston services are running via Queens Park. | |
| Milngavie to High Street and Dalmuir to Springburn services are suspended. Passengers can use Argyle Line services to Milngavie and Cumbernauld services to Springburn. | |
| Train services have resumed operation between Motherwell and Lanark, but will remain suspended between Elgin and Inverurie due to snow blocking the line. Road transport will be provided. | |
| Services between Perth and Inverness are terminating and starting at Aviemore due to the freight train derailment at Carrbridge. | |
| Scotland is experiencing the longest unbroken cold snap for almost three decades Kenny MacAskill | Scotland is experiencing the longest unbroken cold snap for almost three decades Kenny MacAskill |
| Buses are being provided from Aviemore to Inverness and for Inverness customers direct to Perth. | Buses are being provided from Aviemore to Inverness and for Inverness customers direct to Perth. |
| An hourly train service is operating between Edinburgh and Bathgate, and there are buses linking Bathgate, Livingston North and Uphall with Edinburgh Park. | |
| Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill chaired a ministerial meeting in the Scottish government's Resilience Room at St Andrew's House on Sunday. | Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill chaired a ministerial meeting in the Scottish government's Resilience Room at St Andrew's House on Sunday. |
| Despite the severe conditions, he reported that 85% of timetabled trains continue to run and there has been a 75% fall in cancellations of Scotland's ferries. | Despite the severe conditions, he reported that 85% of timetabled trains continue to run and there has been a 75% fall in cancellations of Scotland's ferries. |
| There has also been no drop in passenger transport numbers on the road network. | There has also been no drop in passenger transport numbers on the road network. |
| Mr MacAskill said: "Scotland is experiencing the longest unbroken cold snap for almost three decades - clearly this has posed considerable challenges to communities across the country. | Mr MacAskill said: "Scotland is experiencing the longest unbroken cold snap for almost three decades - clearly this has posed considerable challenges to communities across the country. |
| "However, thanks to the efforts of everyone across the country, Scotland is coping well. | "However, thanks to the efforts of everyone across the country, Scotland is coping well. |
| "I want to pay tribute to all those working round the clock to ensure vital services are maintained. Not least of this, the effort that has been devoted to keeping our road network as clear of snow and ice as possible with passenger and goods transport levels remaining the same as the same time last year." | "I want to pay tribute to all those working round the clock to ensure vital services are maintained. Not least of this, the effort that has been devoted to keeping our road network as clear of snow and ice as possible with passenger and goods transport levels remaining the same as the same time last year." |
| Rubber ring | Rubber ring |
| Mr MacAskill also paid tribute to the "typically resilient character" displayed by members of the Scottish public, whom he said had largely got on with their lives "while taking sensible precautions". | Mr MacAskill also paid tribute to the "typically resilient character" displayed by members of the Scottish public, whom he said had largely got on with their lives "while taking sensible precautions". |
| He also said many people had shown themselves to be good neighbours keen to help those most in need. | He also said many people had shown themselves to be good neighbours keen to help those most in need. |
| But Scottish Labour MSP Charlie Gordon claimed some Scottish councils may have failed to act on warnings of a looming salt shortage six months ago. He said ministers should have done more to ensure that councils had adequate supplies. | But Scottish Labour MSP Charlie Gordon claimed some Scottish councils may have failed to act on warnings of a looming salt shortage six months ago. He said ministers should have done more to ensure that councils had adequate supplies. |
| Meanwhile, hundreds of people have been going on the ice at the Lake of Menteith on foot, bicycles and skates over the weekend. | Meanwhile, hundreds of people have been going on the ice at the Lake of Menteith on foot, bicycles and skates over the weekend. |
| But officers from Central Scotland Police stopped a quad bike which was towing a rubber ring from going onto the frozen lake. | But officers from Central Scotland Police stopped a quad bike which was towing a rubber ring from going onto the frozen lake. |
| A police spokesman said: "Quite clearly this activity would be a safety issue given the large number of persons on the ice." | A police spokesman said: "Quite clearly this activity would be a safety issue given the large number of persons on the ice." |
| And people were urged to "act in a safe and responsible manner and on no account take any motorised vehicle on to the frozen lake". | And people were urged to "act in a safe and responsible manner and on no account take any motorised vehicle on to the frozen lake". |
| Are you being affected by burst pipes as the temperatures start to rise? BBC Scotland is looking to speak to people who are affected and are struggling to find a plumber to fix the problem. You can contact us by emailing newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk |