Scotland's ski resorts close as mountain rescue groups across the Highlands warn walkers to keep away
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All five of Scotland's outdoor ski resorts have closed with immediate effect.
The move comes as visitors from across the country have been told to stay away from the Highlands.
Cairngorm announced it was closing, followed by Nevis Range, The Lecht, Glenshee and Glencoe.
Mountain rescue groups have warned they may not be in a position to offer help if people get into trouble on the hills.
Andy Nelson, team leader of Glencoe Mountain Rescue (GMR), said: "In these exceptional times we must make some difficult choices.
"In these circumstances, as leader of GMR, my FIRST priority is Glencoe Rescue team members' safety.
"My second priority is to help stricken mountaineers.
"With that in mind, if you call 999 and ask for mountain rescue, we will address your call as normal, however:
"If you are uninjured, lost, benighted, you will be asked to consider waiting until morning, and/or better visibility to extricate yourself.
"If you are “walking wounded” you will be asked to consider extricating yourself from the mountain.
"If you are seriously injured, and/or cannot physically get yourself off the hill, we will attend.
"We will attend with the bare minimum of team members to complete the task, to subject fewer members to risk, which means your journey off the hill, in a stretcher for example or from difficult rocky terrain, will take longer and be less straightforward.
"Helicopter support will only be requested if a time critical injury is sustained ie head injury, femur, and pelvis injuries etc.
Saying this was "contradictory to everything we believe in" he continued: "Team members have old relatives, infant babies, self employment stopped due to the COVID-19 virus, and I will not risk their lives or livelihood.
"The NHS facilities in the Highlands may not have capacity to admit you if they are otherwise occupied."
