Lightning strikes, snow and high winds have brought fresh disruption to parts of Scotland as the winter weather returned today.
Across the day up to 6,000 homes in Oban, Fort William, Skye and the Western Isles lost power due to lightning strikes on electricity lines.
Scottish and Southern Energy described it as “a busy day for engineers” and said the majority of properties were reconnected within an hour of problems emerging.
Trains to and from Inverness were cancelled by snowfall while some services in Ayrshire were disrupted with waves crashing on to the tracks at Ardrossan.
High tide is being monitored along the west coast and replacement bus services are running for some services, Scotrail said.
Restrictions are also in place on some bridges and exposed roads with gusts expected to reach up to 70mph.
About 2.5cm of snow is expected over low ground in the north of the country but there could be 10cm in higher parts.
Met Office yellow ‘be aware’ weather warnings are in place for most of the country until at least midday tomorrow with high winds and low temperatures expected overnight.
Forecaster Nicki Willis said: “Ice is expected in the north east of Scotland after snow showers throughout the day and it will also be very gusty in the north west with gusts up to 70mph in parts.
“Temperatures will fall under clear skies tonight and snow showers will return in the north of the country tomorrow but should die away by the end of the afternoon, with drier and brighter weather ending the day.”
The weather has also caused problems in the north of England.
A man died after being swept into the sea during galeforce winds last night near Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said weather conditions were poor with rough seas, galeforce winds and a high tide at the time.
The man’s friend was treated for the effects of the cold and shock but has been discharged from hospital.