In pictures: Scotland's avalanche season

The Cairngorm summit weather station in a picture taken by the Scottish Avalanche Information Service

Scotland's latest avalanche forecasting season has come to an end.

Six mountain areas - Lochaber, Glen Coe, Creag Meagaidh, Torridon and Northern and Southern Cairngorms - are monitored for the hazard from mid-December to mid April.

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service's (SAIS) forecasts are used by hillwalkers, climbers and snowsports enthusiasts to plan their visits to the hills.

A provisional figure of 169 avalanches were recorded for the 2023-24 season. The highest number recorded over the last 15 seasons was 350 in 2013-14.

The Southern Cairngorms is one of six areas assessed for avalanche hazard

An SAIS forecaster's dog at Lochnagar

A warning sign at Aonach Mor covered in rime ice

Footprints exposed by lighter snow being blown away on the Aonach Mor plateau

Strong winds were a feature of the latest season, with these waterfalls on Ben Nevis being blown back up a slope

The north end of Creagan Cha-no in the Northern Cairngorms

A weather effect called a Brocken spectre pictured at Creag Meagaidh

Avalanche debris at Creag Meagaidh

Buachaille Etive Mòr in a photograph by SAIS Glencoe

The view looking west from the summit of Creag Dubh, Beinn Eighe