A weather warning for ice remains in place for eastern parts of the Highlands and Moray today as local authorities and roads bosses braced themselves for the cold snap.
The yellow “be aware” warning issued by the Met Office is in place until 10am this morning, and motorists have been warned to take care on the roads.
Recent wet conditions and plummeting temperatures are condusive to widespread icing and the areas most affected include Inverness-shire, Badenoch and Strathspey and Moray.
However, the cold conditions were also felt on higher ground yesterday in western parts of the Highlands, after a man in his 60s slipped and fell and damaged his left ankle while climbing in the Glencoe area.
Members of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team went to his aid after he raised the alarm with police by mobile phone at 1.50pm.
Police said it was unknown how far the man had fallen but confirmed he was not thought to be seriously injured.
Lindsay Mears, Met Office spokeswoman, said: “It’s going to be a cold snap that brings icy patches and some snow on higher ground.
“There is a change in the weather pattern from the last few weeks with a North and North West air flow pushing cold, Arctic air up into Scotland. It will feel a lot colder because of this disparity with the mild weather that we have been having recently.
“The wetter surfaces are going to freeze and as the temperatures go down, the road will get icy and people need to be aware of that when they are out and about.”
Last night’s temperatures dropped to -2C in Inverness and dipped just below freezing in the Elgin area.
Ice is forecast to thaw throughout today but temperatures are expected to stay close to freezing throughout next week in both the Highlands and Moray.
Bear Scotland have 40 vehicles carrying out precautionary treatments, patrols and snow clearance in the North East and 11 overnight patrol vehicles covering the Highlands, treating routes as required.
Yesterday a spokeswoman for the national trunk roads service provider said: “We would advise motorists to be alert and prepare in advance for adverse weather by checking travel information via the Traffic Scotland website and local radio before setting off, allowing extra time for journeys whenever possible.”
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: “People should be prepared for the bad weather and be aware of the driving conditions.
“We will be constantly monitoring the weather conditions and certainly the gritters will be out in line with our gritting policy.”