Dingwall was one of the worst affected areas

Deputy Environment Minister Rhona Brankin told parliament there were no imminent plans to activate the Bellwin Scheme, which awards special grants.

However, she added the position could be re-considered.

Highland Council could be forced to rethink its budget for next year as it assesses the damage caused by last week's floods.

Ms Brankin visited Dingwall - one of the worst affected communities - and surrounding areas in the aftermath of the floods.

Unfortunately, climate change means that in future years that severe weather incidents such as these are likely to occur more often Rhona Brankin Deputy Environment Minister

She told parliament that the local authority has been asked to keep ministers informed of its assessment of the damage.

The deputy minister opened her statement recognising the loss of the crew of the Fife fishing boat, Meridian, which went missing during Thursday's storms.

She later said: "Unfortunately, climate change means that in future years that severe weather incidents such as these are likely to occur more often."

Meanwhile, Highland Council had been considering a revenue budget of �509m, which would increase council tax bills by 2.5%.

However, officials planning the new budget warned that it may not be enough to cover the costs of an emergency situation in the region.

Before Ms Brankin's statement to parliament council convener Alison Magee said they would make a "robust" case to the Scottish Executive for financial aid.

Homes, cars and roads were caught up in the floods

Flooding had an impact on many areas across the Highlands.

Dingwall was one of the worst affected communities and floods and landslides closed extensive sections of the A9.

Ms Magee said the executive was open to discussions on repairing the damage caused.

She said: "We have always had a good level of balances in the council and that enabled us to address the hurricane in January 2005 which cost, I think, nearly �4m.

"What we need to do as a local authority is to, as rapidly and as thoroughly as we can, come up with robust data which actually analyses the cost of what all this is going to be and present that to the executive.

"The fact that discussions will be facilitated with the minister of finance and minister for environment is a good early sign."