Jack-knifed lorries caused tailbacks

A spate of accidents caused hold-ups on the A9 in the Highlands and the A96 in Aberdeenshire, which saw four inches of snow near Huntly.

A number of drivers required hospital treatment, but the emergency services said no-one was seriously injured.

Gritters were out overnight but roads agency Bear Scotland admitted that the amount of snow took it by surprise.

The main road south of Inverness was worst affected between the Slochd summit and Aviemore.

Up to four inches of snow fell in some places

In the north east, two heavy goods lorries jack-knifed on the Huntly side of the Glens of Foundland, causing lengthy delays on the A96.

A driver was injured when a white transit van overturned on the A95 Banff to Portsoy road.

And a 25-year-old man was taken to hospital with a suspected neck injury following an accident on the A952 New Leeds to Cortes Junction near Fraserburgh.

AA Roadwatch said drivers should be cautious as road conditions continued to deteriorate.

Spokeswoman Elaine Berry said: "We would advise drivers to drive according to the conditions and that means slowing their speed right down and taking extra care."

On the slopes

However, the snow was welcomed at the Lecht Ski Centre in Aberdeenshire.

Pat Mathieson said: "We saw a little snow yesterday and more overnight so if it keeps up we could be in for a busy time.

"There's not enough to ski at the moment but a wee bit more and I'm certain there'll be people on the slopes."