Skip to content

In pictures: Scotland's avalanche season

SAIS Northern Cairngorms Cairngorm summit weather stationSAIS Northern Cairngorms
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.

SAIS Southern Cairngorms Walkers in CairngormsSAIS Southern Cairngorms
The Southern Cairngorms is one of six areas assessed for avalanche hazard
SAIS Southern Cairngorms Snow patrol dog at LochnagarSAIS Southern Cairngorms
An SAIS forecaster's dog at Lochnagar
SAIS Lochaber Warning sign on Aonach MorSAIS Lochaber
A warning sign at Aonach Mor covered in rime ice
SAIS Lochaber Raised footprints on Aonach MorSAIS Lochaber
Footprints exposed by lighter snow being blown away on the Aonach Mor plateau
SAIS Lochaber High winds blowing waterfalls on Ben NevisSAIS Lochaber
Strong winds were a feature of the latest season, with these waterfalls on Ben Nevis being blown back up a slope
SAIS Northern Cairngorms Creagan Cha-noSAIS Northern Cairngorms
The north end of Creagan Cha-no in the Northern Cairngorms
SAIS Creag Meagaidh Brocken spectreSAIS Creag Meagaidh
A weather effect called a Brocken spectre pictured at Creag Meagaidh
SAIS Creag Meagaidh Avalanche debrisSAIS Creag Meagaidh
Avalanche debris at Creag Meagaidh
SAIS Glencoe Buachaille Etive MòrSAIS Glencoe
Buachaille Etive Mòr in a photograph by SAIS Glencoe
SAIS Torridon View from Creag Dudbh, Beinn EigheSAIS Torridon
The view looking west from the summit of Creag Dubh, Beinn Eighe
More on this story
Related internet links