Plockton community rallies around snowbound octogenarians

Mr Hay, a former road engineer with Highland Council, is now calling on the local authority to get a plan in place ahead of the next snow related lockdown.

"We have a fantastic community in Plockton with people always willing to help out when required but it is really down to the Council to ensure our residents have access to amenities in bad weather.

"Authorities in the east called in resources from out with the council to help clear rural roads. We really need to be thinking of alternative and forward planning here also."

A Highland Council spokesperson said: "We aspire to provide the highest level of winter service that we can for our communities.

"Throughout last week’s continuous amber and yellow weather warnings our roads teams worked from the small hours into the late evenings to keep our road network open in extremely challenging conditions.

"This includes working to maintain priority routes, clear footpaths and restock grit bins.

"In Plockton our vehicles must turn at the main car park and a plough went here every day during the snow event.

"Unfortunately, Harbour Street was impossible to access because of parked cars - a perennial problem in Plockton as it is too tight to get in there with a plough blade on the gritter.

"As soon as we had the opportunity the footways tractor was taken to Plockton on Saturday and spent the afternoon opening all the roads in the village.

"Our roads officers were in regular contact with the Community Council chair, Ian Hay, and grit bins were replenished with additional spreaders and shovels supplied. A tow-along pavement gritter, as requested, was also provided to the community."