Trains cancelled and roads treacherous as heavy snow hits Scotland

Trains have been cancelled and driving conditions have turned treacherous as heavy snow blankets several parts of northern and central Scotland.

Amber snow warnings are in force until 12:00 on Saturday in the north east, Highland, Perth and Kinross and Angus - where up to 20cm (7.9ins) of snow at low levels and blizzard conditions have been forecast.

Shetland is also covered by an amber alert for a 12-hour period until midday on Saturday.

ScotRail has been unable to run trains to or from Thurso due to heavy snow and could not provide replacement buses due to the road conditions.

Some vehicles, including campervans and a snow plough, have been getting stuck in the snow and ice.

Ferry services have also been disrupted by high winds.

A less severe yellow snow and ice warning is already in place for most areas north of Dundee, lasting until 12:00 on Monday.

Forecasters said some delays and cancellations to rail and air travel were likely, as are power cuts and disruption on the roads.

Some rural communities could become cut off and up to 40cm (15.7ins) of snow is expected to accumulate on higher ground in the amber alert zones.

The Met Office has warned that travel delays on the roads are likely during the amber alert, and that snow could result in vehicle strandings.

It said rural communities could become cut off and that disruption to air and rail travel was likely.

Highland Council has received reports of campervans and cars stuck on ice in tourist hotspots and advised motorists to drive with caution.

Conditions have led to the closure of several snow gates in northern Scotland.

Traffic Scotland said the snow gates on the A93 Braemar-Glenshee, A939 Tomintoul-Cockbridge, B974 Cairn O'Mount-Fettercairn and at Bealach na Ba were shut on Friday morning.

Several roads including the A9, the A1 and the A82 were restricted but later cleared.

A section of the A90 around Brechin was also closed in both directions following a crash.

Aberdeen Airport is operational but advised passengers to check their flight status before travelling to the airport.

ScotRail said that due to heavy snow in the Georgemas and Thurso areas, it is unable to run trains to or from Thurso. There will be no replacement buses due to the road conditions.

Passengers with tickets for Friday have been advised they can use them on Saturday and Sunday.

Forecasters said by Friday morning 5cm (2ins) and locally up to 10cm (4ins) of snow could have accumulated in low lying areas.

Areas above 200m could see double that amount, and lightning could be an additional hazard.

Those in affected areas have been told to expect travel delays and treacherous conditions for pedestrians, with warnings that some rural communities could be cut off over the coming days.

ScotRail said it had teams carrying out checks across the network, monitoring the snowfall depth.

Mark Ilderton, service delivery director, told BBC Scotland News there were also some special trains travelling across the network.

He said: "They will make sure we've got the most up-to-date information in our control centres and keep everyone safe and moving."

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said weather conditions would be challenging and urged people to listen to police advice.

Ch Supt Scott McCarren, Police Scotland's head of road policing, said: "Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary during the bad weather or if it can be delayed until conditions improve.

"If you need to travel, please drive to the conditions, be prepared for delays and allow extra time for your journey.

"Please don't drive through road closures, the decision to close roads is not taken lightly and is done for public safety."

Cold Arctic air is blowing across the UK, forcing temperatures well below average and increasing the risk of ice and snow showers.

Met Office forecaster Neil Armstrong predicts the cold spell "could last well into next week " and "wintry hazards will continue with more weather warnings likely".

The Scottish gritter and snowplough fleet is out in force across the nation's road network - with names like Sir Andy Flurry, Robert Brrrns, and Plougher O'Scotland.

Meanwhile, amber cold health alerts from the UK's Health Security Agency (UKHSA) cover the whole of England.

Parts of England, Northern Ireland and Wales have also had some snowfall and are covered by a yellow weather alert until Saturday.