Recovery efforts are now under way across northern Scotland as the worst of the recent severe weather eases and services begin the careful return to normal.
A further meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room has been held to coordinate the ongoing response, bringing together ministers, emergency services, councils, transport operators and utilities to manage the transition from disruption to recovery.
The meeting was chaired by Justice Secretary Angela Constance and attended by First Minister John Swinney, alongside the Met Office, Police Scotland, local authorities and resilience partners.
While a yellow warning for snow and ice remains in place across much of the country today and into tomorrow, the extreme conditions that hit parts of the north of Scotland have eased enough to allow recovery work to accelerate.
Across the transport network, progress is being made.
Scotland’s trunk road network is now fully open, with clearance work continuing on local roads which remain passable with care in some areas.
All rail routes are open except for the Far North line between Invergordon and Wick and Thurso, which is expected to reopen later today.
Highland and Islands airports are operating normally, with no issues reported, and ferry services are running as scheduled.
Schools remain a significant challenge, with 440 currently closed, around 18 percent of Scotland’s total school estate.
Remote learning is being provided where possible, while efforts continue to reopen buildings safely and restore access for staff and pupils.
Ms Constance praised the collective effort that has carried communities through the worst of the disruption.
“I would like to give my continued thanks to the huge effort across frontline agencies, voluntary and community organisations, and individuals who are going above and beyond to help their communities during what has been a very difficult time.”
She said that while the most severe conditions had passed, the focus had shifted firmly to supporting those most affected.
“There is now significant work taking place to ensure that those hardest hit can return to as close to normality as possible.
“The fact that major transport links are open is significantly helping to ensure that people have access to the services and supplies they need.”
Priority is now being given to vulnerable people and communities that experienced the most severe disruption, with access routes and essential services being restored as quickly as possible.
Ms Constance said Scotland’s established systems for mutual aid are being put to full use.
“There are well established, tried and tested processes at a national and local level for mutual support between local authorities, health boards, health and social care partnerships and the voluntary and community sectors.”
She confirmed that partners continue to share resources where needed, including the deployment of snowblowers, tractors and salt to support Aberdeenshire Council.
Recovery work remains ongoing, with the situation under close review as temperatures stay low and conditions continue to change.
