Highlanders have faced another day of disruption as the latest band of wintry conditions struck the north.
And while Hamish the Highland Polar bear clearly enjoyed frolicking in the snow and ice, motorists travelling on the A9 and on the west coast were stuck in lengthy tailbacks with a number of vehicles struggling in the conditions as heavy showers created a white blanket across the north.
The vehicle was heading southbound on the Inverness to Perth trunk road when it jacknifed before colliding into the safety barrier shortly after 12.30pm.
Police were called to the scene of the crash after the alarm was raised at 12.40pm. The driver escaped the collision uninjured.
The closure caused disruption to several Stagecoach bus services with the firm’s number 34 and 34x unable to complete their routes.
Balloch passengers also bore the brunt of the conditions when the number 1 bus was unable to complete its route to the community’s turning circle, with services terminating outside the local primary school.
In Oban, the B845 was partially blocked after a gritter careered off the road due to the “difficult conditions.”
The Argyll and Bute council vehicle was travelling between Barcaldine and Bonawe when it slipped off the road into a ditch.
The vehicle was pulled to safety before returning to base a short time later.
An Argyll and Bute spokeswoman said: “Our gritter drivers work in very difficult conditions, treating the roads to make them safe for others to travel. They take this in their stride and we are very grateful for the work they do.
“What happened on the B845 is an example of the hazards they face.”
Meanwhile at the Highlands Wildlife Park, two-year-old polar bear cub Hamish was embracing the cold conditions.
Joined by his mum Victoria, the first polar bear cub to be born in the UK for 25 years was seen delving into icy treats at the Kincraig Park.
New footage of the mischievous cub has been released by park owners the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland in celebration of International Polar Bear Day.
Keith Gilchrist, animal collection manager at Highland Wildlife Park said Hamish played a pivotal part in showcasing the challenges faced by their species.
He said: “Hamish, and the rest of our bears, have made a tremendous impression on our visitors.
“They help to highlight the threats many species face in the wild and the changes we can undertake to really make a difference.”
