Closed Caithness – snow leads to multiple closures in the county

There are multiple closures of work places and educational establishments across Caithness due to the heavy snowfall today (Tuesday, January 16).

High schools in Wick and Thurso are closed along with primary schools and nurseries in Canisbay, Castletown, Crossroads, Dunbeath, Halkirk, Lybster, Miller Academy, Mount Pleasant, Newton Park, Noss, Pennyland, Thrumster and Watten. Throughout the Highland region there are 46 primary schools, 35 nurseries and 5 secondary schools closed.

UHI campuses in Thurso, Halkirk and Dornoch state they are closed due to the "ongoing weather warnings and poor weather conditions predicted".

The Dounreay site is closed due to adverse weather and states that "no personnel are to attend the site unless called in by the site shift manager".

Laurandy day care centre in Wick is closed but the Pulteney Centre on Huddart Street is open and staff have cleared a path at the entrance for easier access.

Highland Council bin collections appear to be operating as normal.

The council's road conditions report for Caithness today, published at 8.29am, states: "Snow and ice affecting all routes. Four to five inches of snow covering on routes, with some drifting.

"Double run [gritters] on main routes before going onto others. Town footpaths also have a good covering of snow on and teams are also treating rural paths. A few issues first thing with lorries stuck on steep braes, but all moving now. Treatment ongoing throughout the day."

Issued at 8.20am the council's Sutherland report states: "Snow and ice affecting all routes with heavy periods of snowfall. Currently up to about six inches of fresh snowfall, but with up to one foot of snow reported on the A897 north of Kinbrace. Snow clearing continuing in line with policy."

Maps of the Council’s gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting

Motorists have been urged to take extra care and consider if their journeys are necessary amid "challenging" ongoing wintry conditions on the region's roads.

Taking to social media shortly after 8am, Police Scotland's Highlands and Islands Division advised that continued "heavy snowfall" was causing issues in various areas of the north.

"Please consider whether your journey is necessary before setting off and drive to the conditions of the roads," they urged.

Stagecoach Highland announced that all services in Caithness have been suspended because of the weather. Services in other areas remain operational but might be delayed or be subject to disruption across the day.

Ferry services between Caithness and Orkney will operate according to their normal timetable but some disruption may occur throughout the day.

There is currently a Met Office snow and ice warning for Highland. Information on weather warnings are available on the Met Office website.

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