 The snow caused long traffic queues in Aberdeen |
Heavy snow and ice in the north of Scotland have again caused major problems on the roads and brought continued school closures. More than 300 schools across the north east and the Northern Isles were forced to close on Thursday.
And in the Highlands and Islands more than 100 are closed.
Police warned many routes were blocked and that travel was not advised unless absolutely necessary. The bad weather is set to continue for several days.
Pensioners have been urged to keep warm and to call for help if needed.
There were 173 schools closed in Aberdeenshire alone, with 69 more in Aberdeen, all on Orkney and Shetland, and scores more in the Highlands and Islands, Western Isles, Moray, and Angus.
The A90 has been badly affected, especially around the Stonehaven area.
The A957 Stonehaven to Crathes road was closed, while the A975 Cruden Bay to Newburgh road was almost impassable due to drifting snow.
 A third day of snow meant more misery for drivers |
Meanwhile, the A939 Cockbridge to Tomintoul and Corgarff to Gairnshiel roads also remain closed.
Conditions are bad on the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road, particularly round Huntly, Keith, Lhanbryde, Pitcaple and Blackburn.
The A9 south is passable with care although it is badly affected at Daviot and Drumochter.
A number of articulated lorries were struggling to leave Inverness and could not move until gritters cleared the road.
Warnings ignored
Both Highland Constabulary and Grampian Police urged motorists to take care and avoid travelling.
A spokesman for the Grampian force said: "Some motorists are failing to heed the warnings given by both the police and the media and are finding themselves driving in conditions that they are unable to cope with."
 The snow is expected to last into the weekend |
George Thomson, chairman of Grampian Senior Citizens Forum, urged the elderly not to worry about bills and to stay warm.
Mr Thomson, 70, of Aberdeen, said: "It's a worrying time as pensioners are pretty much confined to their homes due to the danger of falling, so they may not be getting proper food.
"Pensioners should be advised to keep their heating on during this cold weather. Do not worry about bills - let society worry about that later.
"We must keep warm at all times, I know it will cost me but you have to do it.
"If they get into any difficulty they should get in touch with someone."
The Met Office in Aberdeen warned that the winter weather is expected to continue on Friday and into the weekend - and possibly beyond into next week.
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Do not worry about bills - let society worry about that later
