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Scotland snow: Engineers battle to restore power in Arran, Kintyre and Wigtownshire Scotland snow: Engineers battle to restore power in Arran, Kintyre and Wigtownshire
(about 1 hour later)
Fears have been voiced that it could take weeks to restore mains power to some parts of Scotland left without electricity by the March storms.Fears have been voiced that it could take weeks to restore mains power to some parts of Scotland left without electricity by the March storms.
Thousands of Scottish homes are still without power, three days after losing supplies due to severe weather conditions.Thousands of Scottish homes are still without power, three days after losing supplies due to severe weather conditions.
Around 3,500 homes on Kintyre and 1,500 on Arran are waiting to be reconnected.Around 3,500 homes on Kintyre and 1,500 on Arran are waiting to be reconnected.
A further 300 homes remain without electricity in Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway.A further 300 homes remain without electricity in Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway.
Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown has defended the efforts to help people affected, but agreed that the situation could be "extremely worrying" for some people.Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown has defended the efforts to help people affected, but agreed that the situation could be "extremely worrying" for some people.
Engineers' attempts to restore supplies have been hampered by a weekend of snow, blizzards and strong winds.Engineers' attempts to restore supplies have been hampered by a weekend of snow, blizzards and strong winds.
Heavy snow and ice brought down power lines in Kintyre on Friday, which blacked out a huge area, including Arran, over the weekend.Heavy snow and ice brought down power lines in Kintyre on Friday, which blacked out a huge area, including Arran, over the weekend.
Graham Keddie of Scottish and Southern Energy said: "We've got 400 engineers on the ground on Arran and in Kintyre working hard to restore power."Graham Keddie of Scottish and Southern Energy said: "We've got 400 engineers on the ground on Arran and in Kintyre working hard to restore power."
On Friday evening, about 20,000 homes had been without power.On Friday evening, about 20,000 homes had been without power.
That figure stood at about 5,000 homes on Monday morning.That figure stood at about 5,000 homes on Monday morning.
"People on the ground have been saying that they haven't seen anything like it in 40 years," he said."People on the ground have been saying that they haven't seen anything like it in 40 years," he said.
Local hotels supplied with generators have been acting as emergency centres.Local hotels supplied with generators have been acting as emergency centres.
Some local residents have praised the efforts to provide emergency supplies but fear a permanent solution may take some time.Some local residents have praised the efforts to provide emergency supplies but fear a permanent solution may take some time.
Councillor John Bruce said: "This is the fourth day and it was like watching, I suppose, an army exercise as those big generators from Aggreko came off the ferries.Councillor John Bruce said: "This is the fourth day and it was like watching, I suppose, an army exercise as those big generators from Aggreko came off the ferries.
"They're powering up the villages now but we'll be without mains power I would say for weeks to come, rather than just days."They're powering up the villages now but we'll be without mains power I would say for weeks to come, rather than just days.
"However, we're bearing it. We're resilient.""However, we're bearing it. We're resilient."
All schools on Arran are closed, as are all Argyll and Bute primaries south of Tarbert and more than a dozen schools in Dumfries and Galloway.All schools on Arran are closed, as are all Argyll and Bute primaries south of Tarbert and more than a dozen schools in Dumfries and Galloway.
A number of roads in the Highlands, Tayside, Grampian and Dumfries and Galloway remain closed.A number of roads in the Highlands, Tayside, Grampian and Dumfries and Galloway remain closed.
A number of mobile generators have already been ferried to Arran, and five more have been ordered. Five mobile catering units have been organised on the island, along with three in Kintyre.A number of mobile generators have already been ferried to Arran, and five more have been ordered. Five mobile catering units have been organised on the island, along with three in Kintyre.
Collapsed towers
Neil Young, a fireman at Lamlash on Arran, said about 100 people a day had been taking advantage of his fire station's offer of hot refreshments and shower facilities.Neil Young, a fireman at Lamlash on Arran, said about 100 people a day had been taking advantage of his fire station's offer of hot refreshments and shower facilities.
The coastguard used boats from Troon and Arran to deliver supplies and offer assistance where needed.The coastguard used boats from Troon and Arran to deliver supplies and offer assistance where needed.
The Scottish government's resilience committee has met several times over the weekend, chaired by Mr Brown.The Scottish government's resilience committee has met several times over the weekend, chaired by Mr Brown.
The transport minister claimed things should start to improve once engineers and others were able to travel more freely.The transport minister claimed things should start to improve once engineers and others were able to travel more freely.
Mr Brown said: "The access has improved greatly and that's crucial for getting the infrastructure back on.Mr Brown said: "The access has improved greatly and that's crucial for getting the infrastructure back on.
"However, the issue of course is Kintyre, which is where the electricity comes from for Arran, and there's a great deal of work to do there as well.""However, the issue of course is Kintyre, which is where the electricity comes from for Arran, and there's a great deal of work to do there as well."
The minister agreed that problems remained for many people.The minister agreed that problems remained for many people.
He added: "It's extremely worrying for people involved in that situation but what you're seeing, for example, is ferries on new routes from Kennacraig to Campbeltown taking generators.He added: "It's extremely worrying for people involved in that situation but what you're seeing, for example, is ferries on new routes from Kennacraig to Campbeltown taking generators.
"The Co-op run has been made so there is food being supplied to local shops.""The Co-op run has been made so there is food being supplied to local shops."
The Met Office has issued a fresh yellow warning covering eastern Scotland, northeast England and eastern parts of Northern Ireland.
Forecasters said snow showers and icy patches would continue to make driving hazardous on Monday night, especially over high ground.
The strong wind will be an added problem as it continues to blow the lying snow.
The warning is valid from 20:00 on Monday until 09:00 on Tuesday.
To access more information from your mobile, visit the BBC Weather and BBC Travel News sites.To access more information from your mobile, visit the BBC Weather and BBC Travel News sites.
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