Traffic cops try to help the HGV out of the jam
Traffic cops try to help the HGV out of the jam
Deep snow and sleet make conditions extremely treacherous for drivers all over the country

Scotland's roads descended into chaos today after heavy blizzards battered the country - causing a series of nasty crashes.

The dangerous whiteout arrived this morning swamping Lanarkshire before sweeping across the rest of the west of Scotland.

The heavy snow and freezing temperatures caused mayhem for drivers who encountered extremely treacherous conditions on the roads throughout the country.

A number of collisions took place in the Highlands while several other routes were closed due to ice and snow.


A car was left smashed up after it skidded into a lamppost in Lugton earlier today
A car was left smashed up after it skidded into a lamppost in Lugton earlier today

A jackknifed tanker blocked the A9 near Newtonmore this morning, while a second lorry which crashed near Dunblane overnight also obstructed the route.

There was a crash on the A9 at around 8am near the Trentham Hotel in Dornoch.

The roads of Ayrshire became lethal as motorists battled icy conditions and snowy tracks
The roads of Ayrshire became lethal as motorists battled icy conditions and snowy tracks
A car was left smashed up after it skidded into a lamppost in Lugton earlier today and another motor was spotted in a ditch on the roadside in Ayrshire.

Meanwhile a driver managed to plough through a hedge off of a main road close to Gateside, in Beith.

In the central belt, the M74 was closed the at junction 8 Canderside near Larkhall due to concerns over ice

The M77 also saw disruption for travellers, after a collision involving three vehicles between junction 5 East Kilbride and junction 6 Galston at 6.55am.

Police Scotland confirmed no one was injured in the incident and recovery of the vehicles is being arranged.

The extreme weather conditions also left Sir Chris Hoy needing help during his commute today.

Luckily a gritter driver was on hand to pick up the Olympian as his car went off-road in Dumfries and Galloway.

Gritter driver Stevie went beyond usual duties and picked up @chrishoy from the side of the at Greenhill Stairs after his car went off road pic.twitter.com/t3OA11yKwi

— D&G Council (@dgcouncil) January 12, 2017

Yesterday we told how commuters faced rush hour chaos when a lorry overturned on the Forth Road Bridge as gale-force winds battered the country and left homes without power.

The incident took place at around 2am on Wednesday with the vehicle blown from the northbound carriageway onto the southbound side
The incident took place at around 2am on Wednesday with the vehicle blown from the northbound carriageway onto the southbound side
The crossing was shut in both directions after the HGV toppled over and smashed into the central reservation at 2am.

Cops later confirmed a driver had been charged in connection with the incident.

A police spokesman said: "A 54-year-old man has been charged following a collision on the Forth Road Bridge at around 2 a.m. on Wednesday.

"A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal."