Heavy snow was experienced in Braemar in Deeside

The icy blast is affecting much of the country with strong winds gusting up to 70mph causing problems for drivers.

Significant snow falls and gales have been forecast for the Northern Isles, Caithness and North East on Tuesday.

The Met Office and police warned of flooding for the Western Isles and Moray caused by high tides which will last much of the week.

Grampian Police said most roads were affected, and reported several accidents. They warned that high winds could cause drifting snow.

A five-mile stetch of the busy A90 between Aberdeen and Dundee was closed in both directions on Monday afternoon after high winds caused debris from the roof of a service station to fall on to the road.

A Grampian Police spokesman said the dual carriageway was closed between Aberdeen and Newtonhill and diversions were in place.

Scotland's snow in pictures

He added that the roof had almost completely come off and was now hanging close to the road.

Another one of the region's routes, the A939 at the Lecht, was closed.

Grampian accidents included car crashes on the Oyne to Insch road, the A947 Newmachar to Oldmeldrum road, the B9016 Buckie to Keith road, and the A947 Banff to Aberdeen road.

One driver was taken to Banff's Chalmers Hospital with a suspected head injury after the A947 crash.

There was also a crash on the A90 Peterhead to Hatton road, and the female driver of one car was taken by ambulance to Peterhead Hospital with a suspected shoulder injury.

Nine schools in Aberdeenshire were closed or partially closed.

People in Moray were warned "exceptionally" high tides are expected to cause problems all week. Roads were closed in Lossiemouth and parts of Portgordon on Sunday after flooding.

Schools closed

Residents of the Western Isles are also being warned about possible flooding from exceptionally high tides during the next few days.

Police in Inverness said all routes in their force area were affected by wintry conditions but so far no main roads have been closed.

However, nine schools were closed in Grantown-on-Spey, Foyers, Kilchuimen, Strathdearn, Stratherrick and Rogart.

Glasgow and Edinburgh look set to escape the worst of the weather with lighter winds and sleet, but will still experience snow showers during the next couple of days.