Snow has fallen over upland areas of Scotland as the country gets set for "unseasonably cold” conditions over the next few days - with patches of rural frost appearing. 

Snow fell at the Ptarmigan Restaurant up Cairn Gorm mountain on Wednesday evening, with CCTV images taken from the restaurant - the highest in the UK - of the snowfall widely shared online. 

There were also reports of 'sleety showers' in the hills outside places in the Highlands such as Braemar, Tomintoul and Corgarff.

Meanwhile, a dusting of snow has been spotted on Ben Wyvis in Easter Ross on Wednesday morning. 

Mountain Ranger Ruari Macdonald in the snow at Cairngorm mountain todayMountain Ranger Ruari Macdonald in the snow at Cairngorm mountain today (Image: Peter Jolly)

It comes after the Met Office predicted on Tuesday that Cold Arctic air arriving over the next few days would lead to "below average temperatures" and a chance of snow on the highest peaks in Scotland.

The forcecaster said that overnight temperatures will tumble on Thursday, with Friday likely to be the coldest night of the week, as temperatures in rural areas could drop below freezing.

“We could see some patchy frost developing in rural areas across all nations of the UK, particularly Scotland,” Mr Vautrey said.

“For people waking up on Friday morning it could be quite a shock to the system as they’re walking out of the door.

“There is a small chance of some snow falling over the highest mountains of Scotland, but you’ll have to hike quite a way before you see any snow.”

The Met Office said the cold spell is not expected to last too long and temperatures will start to climb back up towards average by the weekend.