Gough was released from prison on Friday evening

Stephen Gough, 44, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, was given a three month prison sentence on Friday, but was released because of the time he had already spent in custody.

Gough restarted his walk on Saturday morning from Cromarty Bridge in Ross-shire, where he had been arrested at the beginning of October.

He braved lashing rain, wind and low temperatures to get back on the road but was picked up by the police after he had walked about three miles.

Police received a 999 call from a resident who had spotted Gough walking on Drummond Road in Evanton, Easter Ross.

He is expected to appear in court on Monday.

Breach of the peace

Gough set off in June from Land's End for the 847-mile walk to John O'Groats in the far north of Scotland.

He was arrested on numerous occasions but was allowed to continue on his way until he reached the Scottish Highlands.

Gough, who had been kept in custody since 6 October, was sentenced to three months in prison at Inverness Sheriff Court on Friday after being found guilty of a charge of breach of the peace.

However, he was released because of the length of time he had been held.

During the hearing Gough's solicitor, Craig Wood, said his client was determined to continue his quest.

This is how they treat a human being. Shame, shame. Stephen Gough

"He has engaged in this type of behaviour in order to raise public awareness of the human state and celebrate himself as a human being," he told the court.

"He has no perception of any wrongdoing."

Sheriff Alexander Pollock said he could see no alternative to a custodial sentence.

The sentence was backdated to 6 October, when he was taken into custody after trying to cross the Cromarty Bridge naked, shortly after being released from court at Dingwall.

Gough was released shortly after the ruling because of the time he has been held in custody.

As Mr Gough was led away from court, he shouted angrily at reporters: "This is how they treat a human being. Shame, shame."