Gritters dealing with two metres of snow in Tomintoul, Glenlivet and the Lecht
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
MORAY Council gritters clearing snow from some of the area's worst-hit roads are working "almost 24 hours a day" at the moment.
Alex Smith and Ian Metclafe, both from Tomintoul, are the only two full-time gritters covering Tomintoul, Glenlivet and the Lecht – along with two part-time relief gritters.
And Mr Smith, who has been in the job for 15 years, believes he is currently witnessing the worst conditions he has worked in.
Moray recorded its coldest temperature since 1995 this week – -23 degrees celsius – with some areas being hit by two metres of snow.
Alex said: "We aren't getting a lot of rest at the moment and are working almost 24 hours a day.
"It's full on, we are on call all the time and are getting called to people stranded.
"Our relief drivers give us a hand but we could do with some new equipment, too. This year has highlighted that we just don't have the right supplies.
"We are trying to keep the main roads open but sometimes we can't get through with the plough.
"We are probably looking at one a half or two metres of snow in some places, then the wind is causing a lot of the problems.
"I think this is as bad as I have seen it, although maybe 2010 was quite similar."
Clearing some of Scotland's most remote roads can be a lonely job at times, too, with Alex saying that him and Ian normally bid each other farewell in the morning before going their separate ways.
And the duo have a request for road users – do not park on main roads.
"There are a lot of people who are out sightseeing and parking on roads," Alex added.
"They don't think of big machines trying to get through.
"You have to think about it being a main road. Please don't park on these roads, if possible, as it can make it impossible for us to get through."
