Workers sent home early

COMPANIES allowed staff to leave early to collect children or work from home, CBI Scotland reported.

Assistant director David Lonsdale said some firms had also let people work from an office closer to their home so that they didn’t have to travel so far.

Council staff in several areas were also sent home during the day.

Many public buildings, such as museums and leisure centres were shut, with tourist attractions closing their doors including Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Monument in the capital.

BBC Scotland sent non-essential staff home at lunchtime from its headquarters at Pacific Quay in Glasgow as the River Clyde threatened to burst its banks.