Storm Brendan has arrived in the north causing schools to close and travel disruption across the region.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning to coastal routes and communities which could be particularly badly affected by the impact of the storm as large waves batter seafronts.
Many parts of the north and north-east will feel the blistering winds from noon today to midnight.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said the Cairngorms could witness winds of up to 100mph – and they could be even higher on the mountain tops.
Western Isles Council took the decision on Sunday night to close all schools on Monday and a number in the Highlands are planning to close in the afternoon as the bad weather closes in.
The weather conditions have been causing travel chaos with a number of ferries cancelling services across the islands and from Aberdeen.
CalMac has cancelled its Mallaig to the small isles route for today and tomorrow while NorthLink Ferries has cancelled its 4.30pm sailing from Stromness to Scrabster and 7pm return journey.
The 7pm Lerwick-bound ferry from Aberdeen has also been cancelled.
Motorists have been urged to be careful when driving over the Dornoch, Kessock and Skye bridges in the Highlands due to the windy conditions while the A866 road at the Braighe in the Western Isles has been closed and will remain shut for a number of hours.
And on Orkney, motorists are being warned the flood gates in Kirkwall could be closed.
A statement from the council said: “We advise against leaving vehicles in the West Waterfront car park. Access to and from Kirkwall Pier and the wider harbour area may also be affected.”
The wintry conditions are set to continue as snow and ice has been forecasted for the Highlands on Tuesday.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather alert for the region, warning the conditions could lead to travel disruption.
The alert reads: “Icy patches are likely to develop on Monday night and into Tuesday morning as blustery showers fall on cold surfaces, especially untreated roads and pavements.
“In addition, above 200 metres elevation, showers will fall as snow at times and above 400 metres there will be occasional heavy snow showers, bringing perhaps 2 to 6 cm, as well as temporary blizzard conditions. Snow showers will become confined northwest of the Great Glen by the end of the morning.”
The warning covers from 1am until 1pm.
A yellow ‘be aware’ alert is in place for the west coast today for strong winds as Storm Brendan heads for the UK.
Schools closed and warning over coastal flooding as Storm Brendan heads for the north and north-east
