Temperatures plunged to as low as -12C in parts of the Highlands at the weekend as freezing conditions gripped the region.
The chilly weather meant perfect conditions for snow sports however – and just in time for Scotland’s mountain resorts celebrating World Snow Day yesterday.
Cairngorm Mountain warned its guests to wrap up extra warm after recording a -28C wind chill at the top.
Even away from the slopes temperatures remained low on Saturday night into Sunday morning, with the Met Office recording -11.8C at Kinbrace in Sutherland, -10.6C at Loch Glascarnoch and -9.9C at Drumnadrochit.
There was light snow over Oban and Fort William, while Inverness and the north-west Highlands remained dry.
At Glencoe, there was sledging and snowman and igloo building as part of the Snow Day celebrations.
Manager Angela Dingwall said: “We had about 1,000 visitors, it is always busy on World Snow Day.
“The snow is still not fantastic for skiing and snowboarding, but we are OK. There are still a few rocks about, we need more snow. It’s early season conditions.”
Janette Jansson, general manager at Cairngorm Mountain, added: “There was a wind chill factor of -28C this morning, thankfully it warmed up to -9C in the afternoon. The conditions for skiing were excellent – light winds, new powdered snow, we have most of the areas opened up now.
“For World Snow Day we ran taster sessions for children, which went really well. We had 1,800 visitors and everyone was very happy.”
At Nevis Range, activities included snowman and snow sculpture building competitions. The standard was so high that organisers gave everybody a prize.
Glenshee and the Lecht were also open.
Forecaster Gordon McKinsty said similar conditions would continue into Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with temperatures creeping up to -5C and -6C causing hard frost.
He said: “As we go into the later part of the week on Thursday there will be a bit of rain, sleet and snow.
“Looking towards Friday there will be gales, rain and a thaw. We may see some disruption on the ferries.”