A pedestrian is in a critical condition after being knocked down in a suspected hit and run.
The 36-year-old man was hit by a black Volkswagen estate as he walked along Friars Bridge in Inverness early yesterday morning.
It is understood the car failed to stop at the scene but was later traced by police.
Officers were unable to confirm this, however.
The man was taken to the city’s Raigmore Hospital, where he remained in a serious condition last night.
It was the second serious incident involving a pedestrian on Highland roads at the weekend.
A man in his 30s, named locally as Tim Humphreys, was killed after being hit by a car in John O’Groats late on Friday night.
Police have appealed for witnesses to both incidents.
The Inverness incident happened at about 3.30am on the A82 Inverness to Fort William road at Friars Bridge.
The road was closed for several hours as police carried out a full investigation at the scene.
Inverness Central councillor Bet McAllister said: “It’s very disappointing if it is a hit and run. I hope police get to the bottom of what happened.
“I hope the person injured makes a recovery.”
A police spokesman said: “As a result of the collision between a black Volkswagen Passat estate car and a pedestrian, the 36-year-old male pedestrian was taken to Raigmore Hospital, Inverness with serious injuries.
“The road was closed for a period of time to allow for collision investigation work to be carried out.
“Anyone who was travelling on the road about this time who may have witnessed the collision or who may have any information that could assist officers, is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.”
In Caithness, the accident happened on the A836 John O’Groats to Castletown road at about 11.40pm on Friday.
It is believed father-of-four Mr Humphreys was on his way home when he hit by a black BMQ X6 near the Seaview Hotel in John O’Groats.
The 34-year-old died at the scene.
Landward Caithness councillor Willie Mackay said: “It’s absolutely devastating .
“It’s such a close knit community up there and it will be a terrible shock for everyone to come to terms with.
“They really do all get on well and these tragic circumstances will be hard for them to take.”
An online fundraising appeal has been set up to help Mr Humphreys’ family with funeral costs.
As of yesterday evening the fund stood at more than £5,000.
On the web page, the organisers of the fundraising appeal said: “On Friday, February 17 Tim Humphreys tragically and unexpectedly lost his life.
“He was a family man with a big heart who loved his family very much.”
The road was closed until 7.45am the following day to allow specialist road policing officers to carry out a full collision investigation to take place.
A police spokesman said: “As part of ongoing inquiries, officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen anyone walking on or near the road between the A99 junction and Newton in the hour leading up to the collision.”
Anyone with information about either crash should call the police on 101.
