Snow, sleet and high winds from Storm Doris have brought travel chaos and school closures to Scotland.

Key routes such as the M80, M90 and A9 were among the worst-hit by the treacherous driving conditions, causing significant traffic delays.

Part of the M80 even had to close for a time to allow police to recover vehicles that had been unable to negotiate a hill and there were two jack-knifed lorries near Haggs.

In the Stirling area, a gritter lorry overturned on the A811 between Buchlyvie and the junction with the A875.

Councils in Aberdeenshire, Stirling, Falkirk and Perth and Kinross reported some school closures in their area while all school transport in the Borders was cancelled for the day.

The Met Office had issued amber "be prepared" notices for snow across the central belt, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Tayside and Fife until Thursday evening - warnings which were later downgraded to the yellow "be aware" level across Scotland.

The Herald:

People were told to expect snow accumulations of 3cm to 6cm above 200 metres. At low levels, including the central belt, up to 3cm was possible in places.

The Met Office has now issued widespread warnings for ice for Thursday evening into Friday morning.

It said icy stretches will form on many untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.

"Temperatures will fall quickly and untreated surfaces will freeze, with ice forming, especially in areas with snow cover," officials said.

Met Office spokesman Ollie Claydon said: "Snow has been causing quite a bit of disruption on the roads.

"As the Doris system moves off to the east, there will be clear skies this evening, so there is a warning of ice valid from 6pm this evening until 9am tomorrow."

Police Scotland said its officers have been patrolling the roads affected by the weather.

The M80 was shut earlier between Auchenkilns at junction six and Pirnhill services, junction nine, at Bannockburn to let road policing officers recover vehicles that had been unable to negotiate the hill at Bankhead. It reopened before midday on Thursday.

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The snow gates were also closed in both directions on the Banchory to Fettercairn route.

Some Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services were also affected by the weather.

Roads maintenance company BEAR Scotland said it had more than 50 vehicles on routes throughout the north-east, north-west and the M80, patrolling and carrying out treatments.

A spokesman said: "As ever, we ask members of the public to ensure their vehicle is well maintained, that they pay close attention to local and national media and information to help plan journeys during inclement weather, and that they carry equipment to help themselves should conditions deteriorate."

On a lighter note, Falkirk defender David McCracken fitted in a spot of training while he was stuck in the traffic jam on the M80. The footballer posted a video of his snowy workout on Instagram.

Storm Doris is the first major winter weather front for two months.

The north of the country was worst affected, with homes losing power when Storm Conor hit on Boxing Day with winds of more than 90mph.