Police have named the children killed after their mother’s car plunged into a remote Highland loch.
Three-year-old Leia McCorrisken and two-year-old Seth McCorrisken died on the scene of the accident.
A major rescue operation was launched when the vehicle carrying the youngsters fell into Loch nan Druimnean, north of the Argyll and Bute village of Kilmelford, at around 4pm yesterday.
The bodies of the children, aged two and three, were later recovered from the water.
Passers-by had raised the alarm after reporting that a car with people inside had plunged into the loch.
Police Scotland confirmed the car was recovered from the scene during the early hours of Thursday.
Roddy McCuish, lead councillor for Oban Lorn and the Isles said the local community had been left reeling by the news.
He said: “I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the entire community and I would also like to thank the emergency services for their help in dealing with this tragic accident.
“This is a very difficult time for everyone in the area and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of those involved.”
Argyll and Bute MSP Mike Russell said communities in the local area, and across Scotland, will have been “numbed” by the news of the incident.
He told BBC Radio Scotland: “You cannot imagine anything worse to happen to a family.”
Mr Russell added: “The road is not a good road and the reaction of people I have spoken has been that it is a difficult road to drive at the best of times.
“There was very bad weather yesterday. There was a lot of rain and low cloud.
“I think it is understandable in terms of the location and weather it would have been a dangerous situation.”
Police, fire, ambulance and coastguard teams were all called to the scene following the incident, which led to the temporary closure of the A816 road.
A coastguard helicopter and police dive teams scoured the loch as the emergency response unfolded.