Travel disruption and freezing temperatures as snow and ice hit Scotland

Travellers have been urged to plan ahead as snow and ice warnings prompt travel disruption in parts of Scotland.

ScotRail announced several train cancellations on Saturday in the north, while a number of roads in the region have also been closed.

Shetland, parts of the far north and north east were under an amber snow warning until noon.

The Met Office warned that heavy snow showers could see some rural communities cut off, as well as a risk of power cuts in some areas.

Nearly all of Scotland above Edinburgh and Glasgow fall under a yellow snow and ice warning until 12pm on Monday.

Heavy snowfall has already covered parts of the country with up to 40cm predicted.

Arctic air has plunged much of the UK into sub-zero temperatures, with nearly -6C being recorded at Loch Ness on Friday night.

Daytime temperatures are expected to remain in the low single figures for much of the country on Saturday, and below freezing in parts of northern Scotland.

ScotRail announced several cancellations on Saturday morning including in Wick and Inverness. Avanti West Coast said overrunning engineering work between Carlisle and Lockerbie meant all lines to Glasgow Central and Edinburgh were blocked.

Met Office chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said: "Arctic air and brisk northerly winds are gripping the UK as we start the new year.

"Snow and ice warnings remain in force for many areas, with the risk of heavy snow showers, especially across northern Scotland and over higher ground elsewhere, though many inland areas will stay largely sunny and clear.

"Bitterly cold conditions will persist through the weekend and into next week, with daytime temperatures struggling to rise above freezing for some, and overnight lows dipping to minus double figures in places.

"We urge people to stay #WeatherAware, keep up to date with the forecasts and plan ahead as icy roads and slippery surfaces are likely."

On Saturday afternoon, Network Rail Scotland said that some lines in northern Scotland were seeing snow accumulations of around 20cm.

Posting on X, the rail infrastructure operator said: "Strong winds between Aberdeen and Laurencekirk are causing the drifting snow that's closed the northbound line at Laurencekirk.

"One of our snowplough locomotives is on the way to clear and reopen the line.

"We've seen in the last hour the heaviest snow over the Aberdeen - Laurencekirk area, and Aberdeen - Inverness lines, in particular between Inverurie and Keith.

"Those areas will continue to see snow persist, likely getting heavier too."