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The Highland Council's Director of Education Culture and Sport Bruce Robertson has taken advice regarding weather and road conditions and advised head teachers that school transport should run as normal tomorrow (Friday) 30 January 04.

He expects all schools to be open unless there are good local reasons for a partial or full closure.

Given the forecast of low temperatures in some parts of Highland over the weekend, he has reminded head teachers of the need to maintain adequate frost protection.

Today (Thursday), a total of 126 schools closed as a result of the adverse weather conditions. This comprised 20 secondary schools, 106
primary schools and represented an estimated 21,788 pupils.

All schools in the Skye and Lochalsh Area remain open and only one school, Inverie Primary, Knoydart, was closed in the Lochaber Area.

29 January 04
SECOND DAY OF ADVERSE WEATHER DISRUPTS HIGHLAND SCHOOLING AND TRAVEL
Due to a continued deterioration in weather conditions and a concern for pupil safety, The Highland Council's Education Culture and Sport Service decided there would be no school transport operating today (Thursday) in:-

• Caithness.
•  Sutherland;
• Badenoch & Strathspey; 
• Rural Inverness-shire;
• Rural Nairn-shire;
• All schools in the catchment areas of the following Ross &
  Cromarty secondaries, namely Fortrose Academy, Dingwall Academy, Alness
  Academy, Invergordon Academy; Tain Royal Academy;

Today (Thursday), a total of 126 schools closed as a result of the adverse weather conditions. This comprised 20 secondary schools, 106 primary schools and represented an estimated 21,788 pupils.

All schools in the Skye and Lochalsh Area remain opened and only one school Inverie Primary was closed in the Lochaber Area.

In Caithness snow and slush has been reported on main routes with drifting snow still affecting some routes. In Sutherland main roads are now open and passable with care. The wind has dropped and there is no current sever drifting. Roads in Ross and Cromarty are affected by snow with drifting on higher routes. In Inverness most roads are affected by snow of 1 to inches deep. Main roads in Nairn are clear and minor roads are still affected by hard packed snow. Badenoch and Strathspey experienced fresh overnight snow which is still affecting minor roads. A Light covering of snow is in Lochaber and snow is lying in the East of the Area but melting in the West. Temperatures appear to be rising and thawing in Skye and Lochalsh  with slight snow showers.

Roads closed are: -
Caithness: A9 (Trunk) - Berriedale
Sutherland: B 9172 Struie (soon to re-open)
Ross and Cromarty:  C 22 Applecross Bealach; B9172 Struie
Nairn: A939 Dava-Ferness; and the B9007
Badenoch and Strathspey: B 9007; A 939 Bridge of Brown and C 38 above Glenmore.

All roads were reported as open in Inverness, Lochaber and Skye and Lochalsh Areas.

ADVERSE WEATHER DISRUPTS SCHOOLING AND TRAVEL 28 January 04
Due to deteriorating weather conditions and a concern for pupil safety, The Highland Council's Education Culture and Sport Service has decided there will be no school transport operating tomorrow  29 January 2004 (Thursday) in:-

• Caithness.

• Sutherland;

• Badenoch & Strathspey;

• Rural Inverness-shire;

• Rural Nairn-shire;

• All schools in the catchment areas of the following Ross &
  Cromarty secondaries, namely Fortrose Academy, Dingwall Academy, Alness
  Academy, Invergordon Academy; Tain Royal Academy;

Parents of pupils who walk to school and who live in towns and urban areas should check with their local schools to establish whether or not they are open on Thursday.  Wherever possible the parent helpline should be used.

Today (Wednesday), a total of 110 schools closed as a result of the adverse weather conditions. This comprised 13 secondary schools and 97 primary schools and represented an estimated 14,300 pupils.

Drifting snow and icy patches affected regional roads throughout the Highlands, with poor visibility making travel difficult. On the A9 in
Caithness, the Council responded to request from BEAR Scotland to help keep the trunk road open. The Council's deployed its entire fleet of 140 gritters, 21 towable salt spreaders, nine snowblowers and 62 pavement clearing vehicles to treat roads and pavements and clear them of snow.

Roads closed were: -

• Caithness: A99 Thurmster
• Sutherland: B 9172 Struie; A 836 Lairg - Tongue; A 838 Lairg -
• Laxford Bridge.
• Ross and Cromarty: C 22 Bealach Na Ba..
• Inverness:U 341 Tomatin - Coignafearn (due to a road accident)
• Badenoch and Strathspey: B 9007; A 939 Bridge of Brown and C 38
  above Glenmore.