Heavy snow caused major disruption across Tayside and Fife on Friday – with schools closed, buses cancelled and several attractions shut.
Drivers were warned of difficult conditions across the region during the morning, with the M90 south of Perth closed for a period southbound.
There were also hazardous conditions on the A9 south of the city.
Bus services suffered widespread disruption, while some flights at Dundee Airport were cancelled as the runway was forced to shut.
In Angus, the local authority issued a plea for young people to stay away from frozen water after children were spotted on the ice at Monikie Country Park.
Meanwhile several schools in Perthshire and Fife shut throughout the day.
And a power cut hit nearly 150 homes in Rait and Errol.
However, some made the most of the weather by enjoying a spot of sledging.
It came as yellow and amber warnings were in place for snow on Friday with further warnings for ice overnight into Saturday and more wintry conditions on Sunday.
Roads disruption
Authorities reported difficult driving conditions on roads including the M90 south of Perth, the A9 near Auchterarder, the A92 in Fife between Bankhead and Ladybank, Glamis Road in Dundee, the A977 near Kinross, the A822 between Crieff and Auchterarder, and the A94 from Perth to Blairgowrie.
One driver travelling between Perth and Kirkcaldy told The Courier: “I joined the M90 southbound at about 9.15am after everyone driving very carefully at 30mph on the Perth city bypass.
“I only made it as far as Bridge of Earn. My GPS said the gridlock was from Dunfermline as far back as the the other side of the Friarton Bridge.
“A few police cars and snowploughs went past on the hard shoulder but there was no movement for more than half an hour.
“I really hope there’s not been anyone hurt as a result of this.”
One Fife mum said: “I set off to take my son to school in Dundee and turned back as traffic in Wormit, which is never busy, was a nightmare and my car was all over the place.
“It took 50 minutes to drive the four miles and back to the bridge.
“I felt sick when I got in. It was very scary.”
School closures
Several schools were closed on Friday.
Perth and Kinross:
- Aberuthven Primary School
- The Community School of Auchterarder
- Perth Grammar School
- Comrie Primary School
- Crieff Primary School
- Dunning Primary School
- Logiealmond Primary School
- Madderty Primary School
- Muthill Primary School
- Portmoak Primary School
- Cleish Primary School
- St John’s RC Academy and Nursery
- St Dominic’s Primary School, Crieff
- Fairview School, Perth (open to local pupils only)
- Aberntye Primary School (closed from noon)
- Perth College UHI Campus (closed from noon)
- Fossoway Primary School (closed from 12.30pm)
- Glenlyon Primary School (closed from 1pm)
- Errol Primary School (closed from 1.30pm)
- St Madoes Primary School (closed from 1.30pm)
- Grandtully Primary School (closed from 2pm)
- Kenmore Primary School (closed from 2pm)
Fife:
- Canongate Primary School and Nursery
- Carnock Primary School
- Pitlessie Primary School
- Letham Primary School
- Lawhead Primary School
- Springfield Primary School
Bus delays and cancellations
There was significant disruption to bus services run by Stagecoach in Dundee, Fife and Perthshire.
The operator said there were delays or cancellations in areas including Dundee, St Andrews, Perth, Blairgowrie, Kelty, Cupar, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, High Valleyfield, Glenrothes, Cowdenbeath, Saline, Rosyth and Ballingry.
Earlier in the day, Xplore Dundee said some services were being disrupted, with its number 5 service unable to service Glamis Road for a time until it has been gritted.
Citylink and Megabus services also faced disruption on Friday morning but returned to operation in the afternoon.
Other services and attractions shut
Several other services and attractions were closed on Friday, including:
- Discovery Point, Dundee
- Fife Zoo
- Pitlochry vaccination clinic
- Library at North Inch Community Campus, Perth
- Leslie Community Pantry
- St Andrews Castle and Cathedral
- Lochee Community Larder (closed from 1pm)
- Muddy Boots, Cupar
- St Andrews Aquarium
- Scone Palace
- Perth Museum and Art Gallery (closed from 4pm)
- Verdant Works, Dundee
- Kinloch Day Care, Carnoustie
- The Garden Cafe at Glendoick Garden Centre
Meanwhile, Dundee FC’s game against Cove Rangers on Saturday is subject to a pitch inspection.
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