In pictures: Scotland's avalanche season

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) is about half way through its latest season.

For a second year, the service's team of forecasters are working under Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Image source, SAIS Southern Cairngorms

Image caption, Avalanche forecast teams saw some spectacular conditions earlier this season

The team's assessments of potential avalanche hazard in six mountain areas are for use by people permitted to visit the hills in line with Scottish government travel rules, and if they are needed in the event of an emergency by search and rescue teams.

SAIS provides forecasts for Lochaber, Glen Coe, Northern and Southern Cairngorms Creag Meagaidh and Torridon from mid-December to mid-April.

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The service has recorded 124 avalanches so far this season, 96 in the last month. SAIS recorded 241 last season.

Its highest number yet - 350 avalanches - was recorded in the 2014-15 season.

Image source, SAIS Glencoe

Image caption, Stob Dearg, Buachaille Etive Mor, earlier this year, and before a recent thaw

This season, SAIS forecasters have encountered the wintry "Beast from the East", which saw days of heavy snowfalls and low temperatures.

More recently there has been a thaw and avalanche activity in Lochaber and the Cairngorms.

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Image source, SAIS Creag Meagaidh

Image caption, The vista across the Grey Corries from Geal Charn earlier in SAIS' latest season

Image source, SAIS Southern Cairngorms

Image caption, SAIS teams provide avalanche hazard assessments for six areas, including the Southern Cairngorms

Image source, SAIS Southern Cairngorms

Image caption, Conditions have been challenging at times, including during the so-called Beast from the East

Image source, SAIS Lochaber

Image caption, Avalanche forecasters have been among the few to visit Scotland's highest mountains during lockdown

Lockdown and the outdoors

There are strict limits on non-essential travel and Scotland's mountains are out of bounds to most people. Those who flout the rules risk fines.

People who live within easy reach of the hills have also been urged to adhere closely to guidance on how to enjoy the outdoors safely.

For further information:

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Image source, SAIS Torridon

Image caption, The Torridon area is another of the six mountain areas covered by the service

Image source, SAIS Lochaber

Image caption, Overhanging ledges of snow called cornices are among the main causes of avalanches when they collapse

Image source, SAIS Creag Meagaidh

Image caption, Avalanche debris from a slide earlier this season with a rucksack showing the scale of the blocks of snow involved

Image source, SAIS Creag Meagaidh

Image caption, Trails left by ski tourers at a snowy Creag Meagaidh earlier this year

Image source, SAIS Southern Cairngorms

Image caption, Before a thaw, huge depths of snow were encountered in the Cairngorms. This image shows the old Aberdeen ski hut in the Southern Cairngorms

All images are copyrighted.