Arthur's Seat avalanche warning

The heavy snow has even seen one person skiing on Arthur's Seat

Walkers and skiers in the Pentland Hills and on Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh are being warned of the risk of avalanches.

Edinburgh City Council said walkers should avoid slopes which are most heavily loaded with snow, since the added weight could trigger avalanches.

It follows days of snow and freezing temperatures in the capital.

Meanwhile, a man has been taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh following a sledging accident on Arthur's Seat.

Cliff Smith, the council's outdoor education specialist, said just a small slide of snow could take a walker off a ledge on Arthur's Seat.

He said people should have their "wits about them."

Mr Smith, who runs avalanche awareness courses, said there was now up to 2m of snow lying in hollows.

It comes as one snow enthusiast has taken to slopes the slopes of Arthur's Seat on his skis this week.

A man has been taken to hospital after a sledging accident

Mr Smith said: "We're not saying people shouldn't continue to enjoy walking and skiing in the Pentlands, but they do need to be aware of the dangers of avalanche, particularly where snow layers are weak.

"Our advice is to avoid slopes which are most heavily loaded with snow, since the added weight from walkers or skiers could trigger an avalanche.

"There's a risk of avalanches even on Arthur's Seat, just a small slide of snow could take a walker off a ledge, so people really do need to keep their wits about them."