Dunkeld Snow

Tuesday 22nd January

Dunkeld

Over the last few days it has been the southern part of the UK that has had great heaps of snow dumped on it.

Now it was Scotland's turn. I was dispatched to Dunkeld in Perthshire for live broadcasts with Debi Edward in the morning. She had already done Monday's ITV Evening News and News at Ten. The snow had been falling very hard during those broadcasts causing much amusement to Mary Nightingale as she introduced Debi who was almost obscured by a blizzard.

The weather in the late evening on the M9 heading north was as the forecast had predicted.

..glad I knew where I was going..

..especially on the lesser, yet still A roads..

..snow not the only hazard, the odd deer or two on the road

Destination Dunkeld..

..and its snowy bridge.

In the early morning hours the satellite truck needed a little assistance from the hotel's tractor to clear a way up the drive to allow access to the still snow covered main road. Debi and I required no such help on our Land Rover Discoverys.

The location we chose for the live broadcasts was the southern end of the main road through the town, Atholl Street just before the bridge over the river Tay.

Atholl Street, Dunkeld's main street

Dave did not have a great deal of time to get the truck set up and running because to took a little while to get up the long hotel drive.

He did get it ready with enough time before our first broadcast to allow us to get the shots of the snowy town I had shot sent to London.

My shrouded camera at the back of the satellite truck

It was not the busiest of mornings but, we did have all the news bulletins, one programme broadcast and a multitude of weather shots to get done.

Covered camera looking down the main road

Debi poised to broadcast..

.. in the truck between broadcasts

The roads were pretty slippy and a lot of non-four wheel drive were having difficulty and at least one bus could not continue on its route. It just came to a slithering halt when the driver tried to get it up a slight incline on to the main road.

Dave helping to get one of he local's cars on its way

I was not cold with all my bed weather gear on. However, the wet was starting to penetrate. So, it was with no reluctance that we accepted a cup of coffee from the lady that had come to open the chemist shop that the truck was parked beside.

The driver of the stuck bus, Dave and the lady from the chemist shop with the welcome cups of coffee

The traffic builds, as does the daylight

The camera on the bridge..

..The River Tay beneath it

This was not the only offer we got. A while later the chap from the hotel opposite came and made the same offer. A perfect example of good old proper Scottish hospitality.

The 4x4 having done its job

Roads a little clearer heading south