These stunning images of snow tunnels show that it is still very much winter at Glencoe in Lochaber.
The photographs, which capture the picturesque landscape of Rannoch Moor framed by the naturally sculptured walls of the tunnels, were taken by Glencoe Mountain Resort managing director Andy Meldrum.
He said: “There are five or six big snow patches left on the mountain, but the largest and most interesting is in a river valley just below the Haggis Trap.
“It’s got a big waterfall at the back and a large snow tunnel that you can clamber into.
“The snow is still about 4m (13ft 1in) deep so it’s still got a fair few weeks left in it so it will probably last into August.”
The Haggis Trap, which is popular with skiers and snowboarders, is at the bottom of Glencoe’s Main Basin.
Mr Meldrum explained how the amazing structures are formed.
He said: “The snow collects in the gully then, as it starts to warm up, the waterfall comes back and the river runs underneath the snow.
“When there’s a lot of water running down through it, it carves out the snow and, when it gets to a certain size, the air rushes in and it starts to melt and drip off.
“That’s when you get these beautiful shaped tunnels.”
He added that, when he took the photographs, he went into the tunnel with all the right gear and he knew what he was doing.
“They are quite spectacular to be in, but not very safe so we’re advising people not to go in there,” said Mr Meldrum.
Last month, 50 to 60 skiers and snowboarders took part in the resort’s midsummer ski event on Saturday June 18.
And last year, the final snow patch at Glencoe remained until October, melting just a couple of weeks before the first snowfall of the following winter.
