Aberdeenshire Council has formally declared a major incident as the region grapples with persistent heavy snowfall, raising fears that remote communities could be isolated and power supplies disrupted.
Widespread Disruption and Extended School Closures
The local authority confirmed there is a "good chance" some rural communities will be cut off and that power cuts may occur. As a result, schools across the area will remain closed on Wednesday, marking a third consecutive day of closures for many pupils.
An update from the council on Tuesday afternoon warned that heavy snowfall, potentially turning to icy rain, would continue throughout the day and overnight, causing further significant disruption. They urged residents to look out for one another, particularly elderly or vulnerable neighbours living alone.
Declaring a major incident allows the council to prioritise its emergency response, reallocate staff and resources, and work efficiently with partner agencies to protect life.
Amber Warning and Nationwide Travel Chaos
The severe weather conditions are driven by a Met Office amber warning for snow, which covered much of Aberdeenshire and north-east Scotland until 7pm on Tuesday. Forecasters predicted widespread accumulations of 5-10cm of snow, with up to 15cm in some places.
The impact has been felt across Scotland's transport network:
- Road, rail, and air travel have all faced severe disruption, with some train lines blocked by snow drifts.
- National Rail confirmed services in northern Scotland would be affected until the end of Tuesday.
- In Glasgow, the subway network was temporarily suspended due to a power failure caused by ice.
A yellow warning for snow and ice remains in place for all of northern Scotland throughout Wednesday, with an ice warning for the rest of the country until 10am.
Coordinated Response and Community Spirit
Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable, Alan Waddell, stated that the effects of the snow are likely to be felt for several days in the north and north-east. He confirmed that local resilience partnerships are coordinating the response to support affected communities.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance chaired a meeting with police, local authorities, and utility companies on Tuesday to discuss the severe weather response. She noted that "difficult conditions" are expected to persist this week and that ministers would continue to monitor the situation closely.
First Minister John Swinney earlier praised the "truly exceptional" efforts of farmers, volunteers, and the public who have been helping to clear roads and assist those in need, calling it a demonstration of heartening community spirit.
Council teams are focusing on keeping primary roads open, using specialist equipment like snow-blowers to clear routes that cannot be ploughed. The lowest overnight temperatures were recorded in Dalwhinnie and Tulloch Bridge, where the mercury plunged to minus 11.2C and minus 10.7C respectively.
