However, the worst weather is expected in England on Sunday, which could cause significant disruption.

A Met Office yellow – “be aware” – warning for ice and snow remains in force for northern Scotland and the extreme west until 6pm on Saturday.

Temperatures will dip sharply overnight, and could fall as low as -4C in Edinburgh, -6C in Glasgow and -13C in Aviemore by Sunday night.

Bampot the dog enjoys the snow in the Scottish Highlands, Picture: SWNS

However, the Midlands, parts of northern England and north Wales faces the next weather onslaught, where an amber “be prepared” alert has been issued for between 4am and 6pm on Sunday.

The Met Office said as much as 20cm of snow could fall in places, which it described as “a real cause for concern”.  A spokesman said: “There is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off.”

Snowfall across the Highlands included more than 8cm in Aviemore. All schools in Orkney and Shetland were closed for a second day.

Some 18,000 homes across Scotland have had power cuts due to the weather, according to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, with all but 500 restored to service.

The energy company warned its customers to remain prepared for the possibility of further disruption.

Dale Cargill, director of operations, said: “Whilst conditions remain extremely challenging due to the continued high winds, snow and risk of lightning, our teams are working hard to get the remaining customers back on supply.”

Snow has kept the A93 closed between Braemar and Spittal of Glenshee in Aberdeenshire since early on Friday.

Further north, the A939 between Cockbridge and Tomintoul has been shut since Wednesday night.

Drifting snow also caused rail delays by blocking points between rail tracks at Carrbridge and Tomatin, disrupting Perth-Inverness trains.

A spokesman for the ScotRail Alliance with Network Rail said: “We have had engineers working to clear them, but the weather has been quite poor north of Aviemore.”

A power cut forced rail passengers to be switched to buses between Georgemas Junction and Thurso in Caithness.

CalMac cancelled sailings on five routes, including to Barra, Iona, South Uist and Lewis, with further disruption expected on Saturday.

Flood alerts - an early indication of potential flooding - remained in force for waves and spray in coastal areas in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland.

Scotland set for freezing weekend as Met Office warning remains