Snow and ice closes schools in Highlands and Moray

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Snow near Grantown on Spey
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Tricky driving conditions near Grantown on Spey in the Cairngorms

Thousands of pupils are off school in the north and north east due to travel disruption caused by a heavy overnight snowfall.

In the Highlands, 21 primaries, 15 nurseries and six secondary schools were shut.

Seventeen schools have been closed in Moray.

The A96 was closed for a time between A95 Banff Road at Keith and the B9022 at Huntly due to hazardous driving conditions.

In Moray, a gritter came off the road near Drummuir.

Image source, Janice Dougan
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A gritter came off a road at Drummuir in Moray

Moray Council said no-one was hurt in the accident.

A spokesman said: "Our gritter teams are out in all conditions endeavouring to make the roads safer for drivers, but as no-one grits the roads for the gritters there will be mishaps.

"This vehicle has slid into a ditch, thankfully the driver suffered no injuries. Once we have pulled the vehicle out we can assess any damage."

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Parts of the Highlands and Moray experienced heavy snowfalls overnight and during Monday morning

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Grantown Grammar School is among the the schools closed in the Highlands

Driving conditions on the A9 just north of Inverness were difficult earlier on Monday morning.

There had been a Met Office yellow "be aware" warning of snow and ice affecting the Highlands, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Argyll and parts of central Scotland.

The warning was in place until midday.

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Snow falling in Inverness earlier on Monday

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Snow caused travel disruption and closed schools in Inverness

Primary and secondary schools in Inverness, Grantown on Spey and Kingussie were among those closed in the Highlands.

More than 7,000 children were affected.

Head teachers made the decision to either shut or partially shut their schools when snow and ice made travel to school hazardous, or affected power supplies.

Image source, Vickie Larkin
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Polar bear cub Hamish enjoying the snow at the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig in the Cairngorms

Image source, Vickie Larkin