A leading ski centre has been forced to close and ferries cancelled today as wind and rain battered the north of Scotland.
Gusts of up to 40 miles per hour have been recorded in Durness and Forres, while temperatures across the region dipped below freezing. It is expected to dip again with -4C in Dalwhinnie among the lowest temperatures tomorrow night.
A tree was blown down across the Stonehaven to Kirkton flyover that takes drivers over the A90 Stonehaven to Aberdeen road.
Jim Smith from Stonehaven spotted it lying across the carriageway. He said: “I was just driving along and saw that it had been blown down across the road. As far as I am aware, nobody was injured.”
The Skye Bridge has remained open through the day although motorists are warned to take care while using the crossing.
Calmac had to pull a number of its island services because of high winds with ferries between Mallaig and Armadale and Tarbet and Lochranza being cancelled.
Northlink Ferries also experienced cancellations to their Pentland Firth service between Stromness and Scrabster due to the adverse conditions.
The Lecht ski centre in Aberdeenshire was forced to closed due to the high winds, allied to gusting conditions and snow.
Next week’s weather
Looking to the week ahead, Sarah Kent from the Met Office said: “It is going to be a cold and frosty start for Grampian.
“The far south of the region will be bright with some sunny spells with showers confined to the far corner of the north-east.
“It will be a chilly day with temperatures reaching a maximum of 3C in the afternoon.
“Throughout the evening there will be a band of sleet and snow drifting eastwards.
“In Aviemore, it could be at least -5C or -6C and there will be a mix of sunshine and wintry showers. But the wind won’t be strong as it was at the weekend.”