Hogmanay celebrations in Inverness have been cancelled, as police warned of "treacherous" weather conditions in and around the Highland capital.
Hogmanay celebrations in Inverness were cancelled as police warned of "treacherous" weather conditions in and around the Highland capital.
Organisers of the city's street party decided to scrap the event, following concerns from Northern Constabulary.
Organisers of the city's street party decided to scrap the event following concerns from Northern Constabulary.
New Year celebrations are set to continue in other areas of Scotland, but revellers were urged to take care.
Meanwhile up to 80,000 gathered for Edinburgh's street party and revellers saw in the new year at events in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Stonehaven.
A total of 80,000 people are to gather for the Edinburgh street party, featuring music and fireworks.
Heavy snow was forecast for the north-east, with freezing temperatures.
Police in the Highlands said they were having to rescue motorists stranded on the A9 southbound, and asked people not to make unnecessary journeys.
Airport closure
Snow warning
Police in the Highlands said they had rescued motorists stranded on the A9 southbound and urged 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.
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."
"For reasons of public safety, we made a recommendation to the organisers and they have decided to cancel the Hogmanay party tonight."
He said for public safety reasons they had recommended that organisers cancel the Hogmanay party.
Meanwhile the closure of Inverness airport has meant several hundred passengers have been forced to find overnight accommodation in the city.
Meanwhile Inverness airport was closed and several hundred passengers had to find overnight accommodation in the city.
But 16 have opted to stay in the terminal to bring in the new year with champagne and pizza.
Sixteen passengers, however, opted to stay in the terminal to bring in the new year with champagne and pizza.
Elsewhere, open air events in Aberdeen and Stonehaven are set to go ahead - but still face cancellation if forecasts worsen.
In Aberdeen a fireworks display was planned for midnight over His Majesty's Theatre while the streets of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire were to be lit up by the 150-year-old fireball festival.
Police and local authorities warned the prospect of heavy snow in Aberdeenshire and Moray could badly affect many roads.
Elsewhere, Deacon Blue headlined the celebrations taking place in the centre of Glasgow.
Aberdeen is planning a fireworks display over His Majesty's Theatre at midnight, while the streets of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire will be lit up by the 150-year-old fireball festival.
Madness were to headline the Concert in the Gardens, while The Enemy, Frightened Rabbit, Stanley Odd and We Were Promised Jetpacks were due to appear on the Waverley stage.
Grampian Police Ch Insp David Wright, said: "People should leave plenty of time for their journeys and tailor their driving to the prevailing conditions, which will be severe in some areas.
The new year was to be heralded by a massive fireworks display above Edinburgh Castle before a laser and light display in Princes Street.
"If people are in any doubt as to whether they will reach their destination or be able to get home, our message is simple - stay at home."
Crowds gathered at the esplanade of Stirling Castle saw in the new year with acts including Sandi Thom and the MacDonald Brothers.
Elsewhere, Deacon Blue will headline the celebrations taking place in the centre of Glasgow.
'Wrap up'
Anyone heading out to enjoy the parties has been advised to wrap up warm and drink responsibly.
Temperatures are expected to fall to about -2C at the Edinburgh street party.
Madness will headline the Concert in the Gardens, while The Enemy, Frightened Rabbit, Stanley Odd and We Were Promised Jetpacks will all appear on the Waverley stage.
The New Year will be heralded by a massive fireworks display above Edinburgh Castle, before a laser and light display will take place the length of Princes Street between midnight and 0100 GMT.
Crowds gathered at the esplanade of Stirling Castle will see in the new year with acts including Sandi Thom and the MacDonald Brothers.
BBC Scotland's annual Hogmanay Live show is being streamed live on the internet . The programme runs from 2345 GMT to 0045 GMT on BBC One Scotland.
BBC Alba's Bliadhna Mhath Ur, which is being screened between 2330 GMT and 0100 GMT, is also being streamed live on the same website.
