Climbers are being warned of a continued risk of avalanches the day after three people lost their lives on Scottish mountains.
Hogmanay celebrations in Inverness have been cancelled, as police warned of "treacherous" weather conditions in and around the Highland capital.
Two people died on the north face of Ben Nevis and a third died in hospital after being rescued from Torridon.
Organisers of the city's street party decided to scrap the event, following concerns from Northern Constabulary.
Two other climbers were rescued from a third avalanche in Argyll.
Other Hogmanay events are still due to go ahead though Grampian Police said severe weather conditions may affect travel arrangements.
The sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) said the risk of avalanche continued to be high because of unusual snow and ice conditions.
Heavy snow is forecast for the north east, with freezing temperatures.
The SAIS said there was a moderate or considerable risk in Glencoe and Lochaber, with a high risk in parts of the north and south Cairngorms and Creag Meagaidh.
Highland Police also asked people not to travel to Inverness, as heavy snowfall caused chaos on the main A9 road.
Icy roads
They said they were having to rescue motorists stranded on the A9 southbound, and asked people not to make unnecessary journeys.
Northern Constabulary Ch Insp Andrew MacLean, said: "The underfoot conditions in Inverness are extremely hazardous and the roads in the city and in the outlying areas are treacherous.
Meanwhile, forecasters have issued a severe weather warning for heavy snow in parts of Scotland, with a covering of 15cm (6in) expected over higher levels.
Weather warning
Severe weather warnings are also in place for icy roads in central Tayside and Fife, south-west Scotland, Lothian and Borders, Grampian, Strathclyde, Orkney and Shetland and the Highlands and Western Isles (Eilean Siar).
"For reasons of public safety, we made a recommendation to the organisers and they have decided to cancel the Hogmanay party tonight."
On Wednesday, a 54-year-old man died in hospital after being rescued from an avalanche on Liatach Ridge, Torridon.
Aberdeen is planning a fireworks display over His Majesty's Theatre at midnight, while Stonehaven will host the annual Fireballs and Open Air in the Square events.
The climber, who is believed to be from Derbyshire, had been flown to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness by a coastguard helicopter.
Both events are still expected to take place - but organisers warned that the position will be reviewed should forecasts change.
Highly-experienced
Aberdeenshire Council's Willie Munro said: "While the event in Stonehaven is expected to continue, we want to ensure that the event causes no major problems.
Earlier, the bodies of two people were discovered in Number Three Gully on the north face of Ben Nevis.
"We'd ask anyone travelling from areas affected by severe weather to remain at home."
It is understood that one of the climbers was from the Wiltshire area.
They were in a group of five highly-experienced climbers who were caught up in the avalanche.
Ch Insp John Chisholm of Northern Constabulary said they were all well-equipped and European-accredited, but "it appears they were in the wrong place at the wrong time".
The SAIS said unusually calm and extremely cold weather had raised the risk of avalanches in Scotland's mountains.
The service have been monitoring surface hoar, a phenomenon rarely seen in Scotland.
The snow crystals form a slippery layer when buried under snow and are the cause of many avalanches in the Alps and North America.
