Police have been dealing with a spate of road accidents as freezing conditions affect parts of Scotland.

Drivers have been warned to take extra care on their journeys and allow additional time as snow and ice cause disruption.

It follows an overnight "be aware" warning from the Met Office covering most of the country.

Emergency services have been dealing with several crashes in north Dumfries and Galloway, including a fatal accident on the A76.

One woman died after the car she was in collided with a Scottish Ambulance Service ambulance about five miles south of Mennock, near Sanquhar, at around 8.40am.

Two crew members and a female casualty from an earlier road accident who was in the ambulance were injured in the crash.

The road has been closed for an investigation to be carried out and the procurator fiscal has been informed of the circumstances.

Police Scotland said it was too early to say whether freezing conditions had contributed to the accident but drivers are advised to avoid the area.

Officers are working with the council to ensure safe diversions are put in place as some smaller roads nearby have not yet been gritted.

There have also been several incidents on the A74 near Moffat and Beattock.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Freezing conditions are currently making for difficult driving conditions and drivers should check their routes before setting off."

Firefighters have issued a warning following an incident yesterday in which a man and a woman were rescued from a car after it left the snow-affected A736 Lochlibo Road in North Ayrshire.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service watch manager Paul Timmons said: "The weather has definitely turned for the worse in the past couple of days, so we would urge everyone to keep the conditions in mind whenever they're on the road.

"Snow, sleet and rain all reduce visibility and mean slippery road surfaces, making it more likely people will experience a collision. It can happen to any of us but there are things we can do to reduce the risk.

"Driving at a safe speed - one that's appropriate for the conditions as well as within the limit - will help protect ourselves, our passengers and others.

"It's important that drivers remember it takes a much bigger distance to stop when the road is wet, so we always need to make sure there's a big enough gap to the vehicle in front."

Elsewhere, snow-affected routes including the A9 at Drumochter, the A85 at Glen Ogle and the A93 between Ballater and Glenshee this morning.

Icy conditions were also reported on the M8 as well as on many routes across the Highlands, Western Isles and north east of Scotland.

A further Met Office "be aware" warning is in place for high winds from Tuesday night to Thursday morning, with the potential for gusts of 60-70 mph rising to 70-80 mph in north-western areas.

Forecasters say stormforce winds could batter parts of western and northern Scotland with a risk that large waves could cause spray and over-topping in coastal areas.

Members of the public are being warned of the potential for disruption to travel and power supplies.