The north-east was swept by the second winter storm in as many months yesterday, with motorists stranded and power supplies cut by strong winds and heavy wintry showers.
Huntly was cut off for a time as heavy and continual showers saw over one-and-a-half feet of snow falling in less than 24 hours.
Strong winds whipped up the snow and reduced visibility to yards at times and built up huge drifts in places.
Last night, electricity workers were battling to restore power to rural homes after a power line fell across the B974 Banchory-Fettercairn road, one of several rural routes closed due to strong winds and drifting snow.
A Scottish and Southern Energy spokesman said 450 customers across the north-east were without electricity.
It was hoped to have most reconnected during the evening .
Across Aberdeenshire thousands of children had a day off as 123 schools were completely or partially closed.
Only two schools in Aberdeen were closed however – Dyce Academy and Kingswells Primary school.
Heavy sleet showers created massive piles of slush and large puddles of water on many Aberdeen city and shire roads.
Aberdeen Airport operated normally yesterday, but rail travellers between Aberdeen and Inverness faced cancellations and delays.
Yesterday morning the A96 Aberdeen-Inverness was closed between Inverurie and Colpy for several hours, while dozens of drivers on the main traffic artery were stranded overnight when their vehicles were trapped between Keith and Fochabers.
As heavy snow continued to fall at Huntly yesterday snowploughs also battled to reopen the commuter and commercial route just south of the town which was temporarily cut off.
At the town-centre Gordon Arms Hotel, owner David Sherriffs found guests staying over as blizzard conditions swept the area – but there was no beer delivery.
“The lorry just couldn’t get through, nor could staff who live outside the town.
“But everyone is rallying round and switching shifts.
“We’re getting used to it. It’s only weeks since the last big snowfall,” said the hotelier.
Coastal areas of Aberdeenshire were lashed by heavy sleet showers, which created massive piles of slush and large pools of water on many roads.
On higher ground there was a steady build-up of snow as showers continued.
Rural roads across the area were badly affected by drifting from fields, as forecasters predicted further prolonged wintry showers.
A Grampian Police spokes-woman said: “All roads west of Aberdeen are badly affected by snow and ice. We would advise people to exercise caution and only travel if absolutely necessary.”
Near Kemnay, three cars were involved in a piggy-back style crash on the ice and slush covered B994 Kintore-Monymusk road.
A Volkswagen Passat left the road on a steep hill, a Toyota Yaris immediately behind, then a Renault Clio slid off the road and underneath it. There was a spate of minor accidents across the area as road users struggled to cope with the severe conditions.
The snow gates on the B974 Banchory-Fettercairn road were closed as snow and winds turned the Cairn O’ Mount into a white wilderness.
Met Office experts expect almost 2ft of snow will have fallen in parts of the north-east by later today .
Forecaster Barry Gromett said the worst of the wintry weather will start moving south by the weekend.
“On Friday, the weather front that has been bringing all this snow is pushed back towards the central belt. Into Saturday there will be generally light snow over the Borders, but further north things look rather better, though still with a cold north-easterly wind.”
Although the snow is expected to turn to sleet and heavy rain for most parts of the north-east over the weekend the high winds will make it feel extremely cold, the Met Office said.