Schools shut again in big freeze

Pupils are off school again due to the snow School closures in your area Big chill to last two more weeks BBC Scotland travel

Hundreds of schools are closed across Scotland as the worst cold spell to hit the country in 50 years continued to cause disruption.

Temperatures reached -14.7C in Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway at 0700 GMT.

And forecasters warned they could fall to -20C in the North East and Highlands at the weekend.

Meanwhile, the government dismissed a Labour attack that it had been complacent in tackling the problems.

Amid warnings the freezing conditions could continue for another week, Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney urged councils to be innovative with limited resources when dealing with the effects.

He told parliament problems with salt supply in areas including Fife and Edinburgh had been addressed, but he urged local authorities to share supplies and take measures to make them go further.

And he said members of the public could also play their part in helping tackle the problems.

Describing the situation as a "national emergency" Deputy Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said there had been a lack of information on measures being taken by the health service, in particular, adding: "The response of the Scottish government has been so far complacent, defensive and, critically, displaying a lack of leadership."

Hitting back, Mr Swinney said: "I don't think there could have been perhaps a more miserable contribution to a parliamentary debate."

Vehicles stuck

He went on: "The Scottish government's emergency team has been in situation since before Christmas to make sure that, in every circumstance, there was co-ordination of all the activity involved."

A man was rescued after a cattle shed collapsed

Meanwhile, as the bad weather continued, it emerged Schools in the Scottish Borders would stay shut until Monday, along with dozens more across the country.

A 42-year-old man died after his car was in collision with a lorry on the A1 south of Cockburnspath at about 1945 GMT on Wednesday.

And a man was rescued and taken to hospital after a large cattle shed collapsed as winter weather grips Aberdeenshire. The accident happened at Edinglassie Mains farm in the Glass area.

Cattle were being moved when a crack was heard, but one man could not get out in time. Colleagues dug him free, but some cattle died.

There are 168 schools closed or partially closed in Aberdeenshire, 42 in Moray, 19 in Aberdeen, 16 in Shetland and four in Orkney.

Conditions on the road had been dangerous for much of the day, with stretches closed, and vehicles getting stuck.

More snow has been predicted, with Scottish Borders Council urging people to stay at home.

A spokeswoman said: "The message is 'Do not venture out on the roads. Stay tuned to local radio for updates'."

Snow and ice are still affecting travel while most of the 700 homes around Kelso, Coldstream and Duns which lost their power on Wednesday night have had their supplies restored.

The freezing conditions could last another fortnight

Work is continuing to reconnect those still without electricity.

On Wednesday a woman died and two people were injured in Shetland after a car crashed.

Businesses leaders said that the bad weather was costing Scotland's economy up to £60m a day.

The Met Office said temperatures over the weekend could reach as low as -20C in places like Braemar and Aboyne in Aberdeenshire and Aviemore and Altnaharra in the Highlands.

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