Scotland is bracing itself for ice and snow as cold weather spreads across the country this weekend.

The forecast comes after areas in the north experienced blizzards and icy weather conditions yesterday.

The Met Office said a band of snow would hit all parts of the country today before turning to rain on Sunday.

Yesterday, snow and ice closed eight rural schools in Aberdeenshire and led to difficult driving conditions. Bad weather swept through the north-east and Highlands, with snow in Aberdeen, the Cairngorms, Ross and Cromarty and around Inverness.

Met spokesman Barry Gromett said: "Snow showers will die out as the day goes on and drift off over the North Sea.

"But that may bring its own problems. The cold weather front will continue to come in from the west bringing rain. The rain falling on frozen ground is expected to cause black ice.

"Anyone out in the early hours of Sunday morning should be particularly careful. But by the time most people get up on Sunday the snow should be confined to the mountains."

The north-east should expect temperatures of 3C today, with a drop to -1C tomorrow night.

Up to 10cm of fresh snow is expected on the hills.

The Met Office said that Glasgow should prepare for snow showers overnight.

Yesterday, the A93 Braemar-Blairgowrie road and the A939 Cockbridge-Tomintoul road were both closed. Motorists were forced to drive at reduced speeds on stretches of the A9 in the Highlands as temperatures plunged.

The disruption came on the second day of a walkout by drivers from transport group Stagecoach in the north-east and the Highlands.

Services were affected as bus workers took part in the strike over pay.

The Lecht and Glenshee ski centre said that they were closed due to a lack of snow but were hopeful the wintry blast would hit them.

The weather is expected to clear up by Monday.