Scotland storm: A82 reopens briefly and snow returns

Traffic in snow in Inverness city centre

A section of the A82 in Lochaber, shut since Thursday because of a rockfall, has been reopened but only for three hours before being closed again.

Police said the closure at 15:00 at Corran Ferry was to allow contractors to begin scheduled work to remove up to 250 tonnes of unsafe overhanging rock.

The stretch of road should reopen again on Monday at 06:00, according to Forestry Commission Scotland.

Closures on Thursday and again on Friday came during stormy weather.

Snow and power cuts have continued to cause disruption in the Highlands and Islands.

In Highland, 8,000 homes had been affected by power cuts but this number has been reduced to 2,500.

Communities affected included Muir of Ord, Latheron, Achiltibuie, Forss and Wick.

The numbers of properties affected on the Western Isles had risen from 1,500 to 2,000 because supplies had to be shut off to allow for repairs.

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) said helicopter patrols were being done in an effort to identify damaged power lines.

All schools in Caithness along with several schools in Sutherland, Sleat Primary on Skye and Ardnamurchan school in Lochaber were shut.

Paible School on the Western Isles was also closed.

Snow has fallen in Inverness after earlier falls across the north Highlands.

Northern Constabulary said a number of roads in its area had been shut by the bad weather.

They included the A890 Strome Ferry between A87 Junction and Strathcarron, B9007 Carrbridge to Ferness, C38 Cairngorm ski road, A862 Dingwall to Ardullie roundabout, C18 Achterneed to Strathpeffer and the Beallach Na Ba between Applecross to Tornacross.

Meanwhile, the Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has issued warnings about potential risks in Lochaber and the Northern Cairngorms.