Scrabster and Wick coastguards braved the whiteout conditions in Caithness today to assist police help free some 100 people stuck in drifts from around the county.

Blizzard conditions in the far north means most of Northern Constabulary’s local 4-wheel drive vehicles are used to patrol the more hazardous sections of the A9, notably at the Berriedale Braes, a notorious stretch of road even in good conditions.

Coastguards vehicles help assist the police to reach areas in the towns only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles in these conditions, and also help patrol the minor roads looking for casualties of the weather.

Blizzard conditions are expected to continue for some time yet.