Rescue teams battled blizzard conditions to rescue four climbers who became stuck near the summit of Ben Nevis as Storm Ciara continued to cause chaos across the north.
Members of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team described the conditions as “horrendous” last night, after bringing the walkers to safety.
The wind chill factor suffered by the 22 team members and four casualties was about -20 degrees.
The rescue was mounted after a day of travel disruption and flooding across the north and north-east.
A wind speed of 52mph was recorded at Loch Glascarnoch and almost 20mm of rain fell on Kinlochewe.
Parts of Aviemore and Tulloch Bridge were left underneath inches of snow.
Meanwhile, coastal areas in Moray suffered flooding and a street next to River Dee in Aberdeen was closed as the expanse burst its banks.
The A93 Aberdeen to Perth road was closed between Braemar and the Spittal of Glenshee due to the weather last night, and police warned motorists to take care while driving on the B974 Clatterin Brig to Cairn O’Mount road – saying it was “passable with extreme care”.
Met Office meteorologist, Alex Burkill, has advised people to expect more snow today and tomorrow.
He said: “Low pressure is still affecting the weather. We have some heavy showers which will increasingly fall as snow and on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“There will still be high gusts of up to 60mph and potential for blizzards.”
Roadworks which were due to begin on the A82 Inverness to Glasgow road at Onich in Lochaber were also postponed last night due to the weather.
Most ferry routes around the coast were either cancelled or disrupted yesterday, with operators apologising to travellers for any inconvenience.
Western Isles Council was forced to delay an inspection of Bernera Bridge due to take place today until tomorrow due to the conditions.
Orkney Isles Council warned people living in coastal areas to check updates from Sepa as flood warnings were in place for Stromness, St Margaret’s Hope, Burray, the Churchill Barriers, Longhope and Hoy, Stronsay, Sanday and Westray.
Stornoway Coastguard said crews had been asked by police to monitor and close the causeway between Barra and Vatersay due to the weather.
Moray was badly hit by the heavy rainfall, with Kingston completely cut off when the Spey flooded Burnside Road and the corner of Lein Road and Shore Road.
David Mackay, who lives in Garmouth in the house nearest the River Spey, has had his home blighted by flooding over the years.
On this occasion, the property escaped harm, though Mr Mackay noted that Storm Ciar had blown trees down “all over the place, in any exposed ground”.
A footbridge at a beauty spot in Forres was closed after trees came crashing down onto it. The trees fell onto the wooden bridge at Sanquhar Loch, part of a popular walking route.
Moray Council teams were out clearing the fallen timber from the site yesterday but the bridge will remain closed until it has been inspected.
Signs have been erected to advise walkers not to use the crossing until the council’s bridge engineers have inspected the site.
Aberdeen City Council closed Riverside Drive at Bon Accord Glass for a spell due to high tides from the River Dee.
