A power distribution company is now on “red alert” as hurricane force winds have left more than 73,000 homes without power.
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) said that it has managed to restore power to around 24,000 properties since first light.
However, continuing high winds are hampering efforts to restore supplies.
The company has deployed around 1,000 technical and support staff who are now working in “extremely challenging and potentially dangerous conditions”.
Worst hit has been rural areas of Ross-shire, with the company reporting that around 13,500 customers have been left without electricity.
The Western Isles are also been badly affected with 12,289 still affected by the power-cuts.
A further 9,200 are without power in Inverness-shire, 7,286 are affected in rural parts of Caithness, as well as 6,978 properties in Skye.
SHEPD’s head of operations, Rodney Grubb, apologised for the disruption: “We are doing everything we possibly can to restore our customers’ supplies.
“We apologise for the disruption and would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding.”
Meanwhile the A82 is partially blocked at Torvean in Inverness after a powerline fell into trees.
Lorries are being held behind it but cars are being allowed to pass with care.
The northbound lane of the Kessock Bridge remains closed after a tree fell onto the A9 north of the crossing at around 6am.