A small team is braving the storm on an island in the Firth of Forth.
Staff arrived on the Isle of May, five miles off the coast of Anstruther, on Monday to prepare for the season ahead.
Rare photographs of the national nature reserve under a blanket of snow were taken on Tuesday as the extreme weather began to bite.
Reserve employees took cover indoors on Wednesday as the island, an internationally important seabird sanctuary, was battered by fierce winds and blizzards.
David Steel, Scottish Natural Heritage reserve manager, said the Beast from the East had certainly delivered.
He said: “The team are well prepared with plenty of thermals, food and water to survive the week, and maybe beyond.
“Snow is rarely recorded on the island due to a combination of no-one living on here during the winter months and the harsh coastal, salt environment.”
He said the island looked deserted on arrival, other than a few rabbits and mice, but the place came to life as shags returned to roost and some guillemots and razorbills whipped across the wave tops.
Fulmars were also back in good numbers he said, but added: “As temperatures plummet that will change.
“It’ll be interesting to see if we get any hard-weather bird movements, as birds start to struggle to find food further north.”
SNH staff live on the island for several months each year, accompanied by researchers studying the birds and other other wildlife. They also welcome visitors, many of whom sail on pleasure boats from Anstruther.