Shoppers in the north and north-east will have to brave wintry road conditions as they go in search of bargains today.
Car parks are expected to fill up as quickly as shop shelves empty in both Aberdeen and Inverness as people flock to the Boxing Day sales.
Temperatures were expected to plummet as low as -5C overnight during what Met Office spokesman, Ken McEwan, called a “cold, frosty night”.
In Aberdeen, two shopping centres will open even before daybreak to allow the bargain-hunters to descend.
Management at the Bon Accord and St Nicholas complexes expect trade to be so brisk they planned to open their doors at 5am.
Craig Stevenson, manager of both malls, said he was “looking forward to a lively month” starting from today.
He said: “Boxing Day has traditionally been a busy day and this year we’re expecting it to be no different, with shoppers from all across the north-east visiting in an effort to snap up a bargain.
“Next has led the way in recent years with its increasingly popular sale and it’s great to see interest from other retailers with regards to opening earlier.”
Stores in the Highland capital were also preparing for a huge Boxing Day rush with the car park at Inverness’s main shopping mall due to open at 5.30am.
Andy Wade, operations manager at the city’s Eastgate Shopping Centre, said: “We are expecting a big rush on Boxing Day. We always do. It is quite exciting. We are opening the centre at 6am. Next and Game are opening at 6am and Debenhams are opening at 7am.”
Mr McEwan said that parts of Scotland, particularly northern Aberdeenshire and Moray, would get some wintry showers this morning.
He said: “For the most part it will be cold and wintry, with some wintry showers into Saturday morning. It will be dry, clear and very frosty, I would think temperatures in places like Aboyne and Ballatar will drop to -5C.
“The far north of Aberdeenshire and Moray may see some kind of wintry showers, but many of us will be dry throughout the night.
“It could be around 4C around the Aberdeen area throughout the day. It will be dry and bright weather, but rather cold.”
