Heavy rain, high winds and stormy seas caused travel disruption throughout the Highlands and Islands yesterday as a band of bad weather worked its way across the area.
A cargo ship had to be escorted by lifeboats after losing power in the stormy Pentland Firth.
Meanwhile ferry services across the west coast were cancelled or disrupted and motorists throughout the Highlands were delayed by surface water and flooding.
Thurso and Wick Lifeboats were called out after a cargo ship lost engine power in the Pentland Firth in force six gales and sea swells of 10ft.
The 328ft vessel Leah broke down one mile north east of Stroma with 10 people aboard. Its anchors were not able hold against the tide and she was drifting in the swell.
Shetland Coastguard paged the lifeboats just after 8am and they arrived alongside the casualty two miles south east of Duncansby Head at 9am in heavy showers and poor visibility.
The cargo ship was able to re start her engines at 9.30am.
A spokeswoman for Thurso Lifeboat said: “The Wick lifeboat was stood down at 10.30am whilst the Thurso Lifeboat proceeded to escort the Leah safely through the Pentland Firth and was stood down at 11.45am.”
The ship continued on its way to Iceland.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued a flood alert warning people to be prepared for flooding at Strath Oykel in Caithness and Sutherland.
Police reported flooding on Belford Road, Fort William, near Lochaber Leisure Centre.
High wind warnings were in place for part of the day on the Skye and Dornoch Bridges.
Ferry operator CalMac apologised for any inconvenience after sailings to Barra and South Uist were cancelled and warned passengers that many more routes were operating to a disrupted timetable.
A spokesman for the Met Office said a band of rain was crossing the Highlands, with winds touching gale force in places.
He added: “Saturday will see wintry showers, merging into longer periods of rain and hill snow for a time during the late morning and early afternoon. There will be strong to gale force winds. Maximum temperature 6oC.”
A spokesperson from BEAR Scotland said: “Heavy rainfall, with the potential of snow, is forecast over the weekend, particularly over higher ground. We therefore encourage motorists to drive with due care and attention and plan their journeys in advance, whenever possible. Our winter teams will also be monitoring conditions and carrying out treatments when necessary.”