Bad weather has taken its toll on the north again but there is no sign of a let-up on the fierce conditions tomorrow.
Snow and high winds have caused chaos for motorists on the north’s main arterial route throughout the day.
A gust of 115mph was recorded on Ben Nevis, while at Cairngorm mountain winds reached 105mph.
The Met Office has issued yellow “be aware” warnings for the wind and snow to continue.
The snow warning, which covers most of the Highlands, runs into Saturday, with predictions that several inches will fall on higher ground.
Gusts of up to 80mph are predicted on exposed coastal areas and on high ground.
The A9 Inverness-Perth road was closed overnight, stranding dozens of motorists between the snowgates between Blair Atholl and Ralia, near Newtonmore.
Police Scotland and partner agencies working through the night to ensure the safety of motorists on the A9 following heavy snow.
Chief Inspector Louise Blakelock said that conditions were “extremely difficult”.
Various sections of the A9 south of Inverness also closed temporarily throughout the day as gritters struggled with heavy snowfall.
Drumochter and Slochd have been among the worst affected, with Bear Scotland claiming its crews were dealing with 5ft deep drifts.
A jacknifed lorry at Pitlochry also added to the misery.
Other routes, including the A889 Dalwhinnie-Laggan road and B862 Fort Augustus-Whitebridge road, were also closed because of drifting snow.
The Highland Main Line was closed between Inverness and Perth for most of the day.
More than 1,100 pupils had a day off as the weather shut 17 schools in Highland. Others shut at lunchtime because of the conditions.
Several schools in Argyll and Bute also closed, with some having no power.
But it was not only snow that was causing difficulties.
Flooding forced the closure of the A862 Inverness-Beauly road between Bunchrew and Inchmore.