John Swinney has pleaded with Scots to stop panic buying food as ministers warned drifting snow means the country still faces extensive travel disruption and delays this weekend.

The Deputy First Minister asked people to be “sensible” when purchasing food and fuel until shop supplies return to normal, after record snowfall brought many areas to a standstill.

Almost 20in (50cm) fell in Renfrewshire, Dunbartonshire and Inverclyde, while Gogarbank in Edinburgh had more than 8in (21cm), the deepest March snow in the capital since 1979.

The Scottish Government said “significant accumulations” of snow remained and the huge scale of the task facing councils means conditions will remain treacherous on some roads for local people and delivery drivers.