The icy blasts led to widespread disruption throughout the North's road network and to the closure of almost all schools in the area.

Snow ploughs struggled to cope with the heaviest snowfall for years. The treacherous conditions caused a spate of minor accidents.

Weather forecasters have predicted that the cold snap will continue into the weekend with the mercury unlikely to rise above freezing in some rural areas.

Police have warned motorists to travel only if necessary.

Inspector John Smith, head of Northern Constabulary's road policing unit, said earlier this week: "Further heavy snowfalls are forecast. If drivers have to travel they are urged to exercise extreme caution."

The snow began to fall overnight on Saturday and continued throughout Sunday. Around eight inches of snow gathered, with more on higher ground.

Sutherland's three senior schools at Kinlochbervie, Dornoch and Golspie were closed on Monday and Tuesday, with all of the area's primary schools shut on Monday, although a number re-opened the following day.

The adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of end of term events such as school socials, parties, pantomimes and concerts.

Youngsters greeted the unexpected holiday with glee and headed straight to the nearest slopes with their sledges.

Sutherland's road crews and gritters were out in force in a bid to keep the roads clear.

Highland Council's Golspie-based community works manager, Graham Mackenzie, said that all the area's gritters had been fully mobilised since Saturday morning.

"Our priority has been to clear the main routes along with the service bus and school bus routes," he said. "On Wednesday we tried to get to the other routes (priority 4 routes) cleared in accordance with council policy.

"Unfortunately, these roads have proved to be difficult to clear because of the freezing temperatures and the fact that the snow had been tracked in, but we will continue operations over the next few days until they are all cleared.

"We have 30 gritters in the Sutherland and Easter Ross area and inevitably there have been a few breakdowns but, even with a full complement of gritters, some routes will not be treated for four to five days from the start of a snowfall like this.

"The other problem we had is that salt becomes less effective at temperatures below -6 degrees and ground temperatures dropped to as low as -11 degree on Tuesday night.

"Our men will continue to make every effort to clear the roads as soon as we can."

The treacherous road conditions caused a number of minor road accidents across the county.

Dornoch based Police Constable James Mackay said: "There has been a spate of minor accidents across the county due to the poor weather conditions. A number of drivers have skidded and gone off the road, although fortunately no one sustained any serious injuries."

A pregnant woman and seven other people had to be rescued following a two car collision in icy weather conditions near Drumbeg on the single track B869 Lochinver road. The accident happened just after 7pm on Sunday.

Three emergency services - police, ambulance and road gritters - were involved in the rescue operation.

Wick based Chief Inspector Matthew Reiss said the gritter cleared the way for the Lochinver ambulance to get to the scene. Two police 4 x 4 vehicles were also sent out.

No one was injured in the accident and those involved walked from the scene to a nearby lodge.

Chief Inspector Reiss said: "The accident had the potential to be more serious than it turned out to be. It took place in severe weather conditions and in an area where mobile phone coverage was poor to non existent. We were unable to contact those involved after their initial call.

"It was a joint effort by different services and everyone worked very well together."

A Portuguese lorry driver, en route to Kinlochbervie harbour to pick up a load of crabs, lost control of the heavy goods vehicle on the steep brae leading into the port.

The lorry slid down the hill, jackknifed and landed on its side across the road. The accident, which happened around 7pm on Saturday evening, blocked the road until the following morning.

Local firefighters, who had been due to attend their Christmas party at the Kinlochbervie Hotel at 7.30pm that evening, were instead called out to the scene. A bus load of passengers travelling back to Lochinver following a trip to the pantomime at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness, were alerted not to travel beyond Badcall because of the accident.

Northern Times correspondent Andrew Marshall said: "The bus driver was contacted and told he couldn't get into Lochinver because the road was blocked.

"He was advised not to go beyond Badcall which was the last place the bus could park and turn round.

"When the bus reached Badcall - about a mile from the accident - there were still around 40 passengers on board. They were taken into the port by firefighters who just managed to squeeze a 4 x 4 past the stranded lorry.

"Kinlochbervie High School's minibus was also made available to take the passengers into Lochinver."

One of the passengers on the bus, Margaret Mead, said: "It could have been very inconvenient for all of us, but it turned out to be okay because so many people co-operated to get us home."

The evening ended happily with firefighters enjoying their Christmas party later than scheduled. They were also joined by the Portuguese lorry driver and his passenger!

Meanwhile weather forecasters are predicting a white Christmas with the cold snap continuing well into the weekend and the temperature unlikely to rise above freezing in some rural areas.

According to the Met Office, most places will have a dry and cold Christmas Day with some sunshine. The weather is expected to turn breezier over the weekend with some showers around. These are likely to fall as snow in Scotland.

Inspector Smith, advised drivers to travel only if absolutely necessary.

He added: "Anyone who has to drive should make sure they take all the necessary precautions at this time of year. Screen wash should be kept topped up and the proper additive used at the right concentration. Drivers are advised not to use washing up liquid as this will foam and doesn't have the same low freezing points.

"Drivers should also check that their lights are clean and working and that their tyres have the correct tread.

Inspector Smith also advised carrying the following equipment: tow rope, shovel, spare wheel, spare bulbs, fuel, hazard warning triangle, de-icing equipment, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, torch and blanket.

carolinem@northern-times.co.uk

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