Snow causes further disruption

The weather is continuing to cause disruption across the country

Many pupils have had a second day off school as the wintry weather continues to cause travel disruption in Scotland.

Almost 500 schools were shut across the country, affecting more than 100,000 pupils. All schools in Aberdeenshire, Moray, Orkney and Shetland were closed.

Motorists had been advised to only attempt essential journeys in the worst affected parts of the country.

An elderly man collapsed and died in the Borders after trying to push his wife's car, which was stuck in snow.

British Airways said that a total of 88 flights had been cancelled including services to and from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness airports.

Skidding off

On the roads, the RAC said it took a call every three seconds from motorists needing help.

A spokesman said many were from drivers whose vehicles needed recovering after skidding off the road.

An elderly Berwickshire man who was trying to free his wife's car from snow in Swintonhill collapsed and died.

Council gritter drivers who arrived at the scene tried in vain to resuscitate him and ambulance staff were unable to save him.

In pictures: Scotland's cold snap

Snowploughs were out in many parts of Scotland and police warned some motorists not to risk driving in the hazardous conditions.

Grampian Police said the heavy snow and strong wind had affected many of the region's roads.

In Moray, main roads were closed and virtually all other routes in the area were said to be either impassable or inadvisable on Thursday morning due to drifting snow over ice.

The showers eased off during the day and many roads were cleared of snow.

However, some routes in the north were still affected by drifting snow and black ice.

Power restored

More than 35,000 pupils had the day off in Aberdeenshire, but the council hoped to have all premises open again on Friday.

Conditions were also clearing in Shetland, with all main roads open.

Twenty homes which had their electricity cut off on Wednesday have had power restored.

Flights in and out of Sumburgh Airport to Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh have also resumed.