Storm Doris has arrived in Scotland, bringing snow, rain and strong winds.

The storm brought travel chaos, with Traffic Scotland warning motorists to be prepared for extreme weather conditions on roads.

The bad weather has caused major tailbacks and disruptions on roads including the M77, M80, A720 and A822. There have also been reports of an accident on the A8. 

Traffic Scotland has now advised drivers on the M80 to stay in their cars after several motorists abandoned their vehicles on the road, which was closed northbound after Junction 5 Auchenkilns and southbound from Junction 9 Bannockburn due to snow.

Flights and trains services have also been affected by delays and cancellations.

In Aberdeenshire, some schools have been closed due to the weather while some school transport is not operating.

All school transport in the Borders has been cancelled for the day as heavy and widespread snow is forecast across much of the area.

Ferry services have also been affected by the weather, with Caledonian MacBrayne warning of disruption on some west coast routes.

Elsewhere, the snow gates have been closed in both directions on the Banchory to Fettercairn route, while Traffic Scotland warned of high winds on the Tay Road Bridge and the Erskine Bridge.

The Met Office has warned that Doris is likely to damage buildings and send debris flying.

Severe weather warnings for snow and strong winds are in place across the country until 6pm tonight. A yellow 'be aware' warning for rain has also been issued for Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian & Borders. 

Flights from London to Glasgow Airport have been cancelled, while services to the city from Ireland are facing delays and cancellations.

Up to 15cm of snow is forecast to fall across parts of Scotland and north-east England in treacherous, blizzard-like conditions.

Weather warnings have been upgraded to amber across Scotland's central belt, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Tayside and Fife.

"We have got a fairly active area of low pressure coming in from the Atlantic," said Met Office forecaster Emma Sharples.

"It is strengthening as it moves eastwards to the UK."

The Met Office's amber weather warning alerts people that "whilst the strongest winds look to be only short-lived, damage to structures, interruptions to power supplies and widespread disruption to travel networks are likely, with a danger of injury from flying debris".

Storm Doris is expected to move on quickly, with the worst of the weather gone by Thursday evening.

While further Atlantic gusts will bring more rain and wind through the weekend and into next week, they are not expected to reach the heights of Doris.

AA spokesman John Snowling said: "The unpleasant combination of torrential rain, severe gales and heavy snow will create some very poor driving conditions, with the potential for roads to be affected by black ice, debris or standing water.

"Wind can also bring down tree branches, blow you off course or blow other vehicles into your path.

"Expect travel disruption as some roads will be treacherous."

Winds of 87mph gust have been recorded at Mace Head on the Galway coast in the Republic of Ireland, with speeds of 72mph recorded at Aberdaron on the west coast of Wales.

Aer Lingus cancelled 12 flights between the UK and the Republic of Ireland in anticipation of the winds and Heathrow Airport warned customers to check their flights before travelling.

Network Rail warned of delays and cancellations after imposing speed restrictions for safety reasons.