Several residents of a coastal town have been evacuated from their homes after strong winds and high waves battered the seafront.

Nine residents of the Turners Court sheltered housing complex in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, were moved from their ground-floor properties "as a precaution" amid concerns about flooding in the beachfront area.

The move comes after a further day of wind and heavy rain for parts of Scotland, prompting a number of flood and severe weather warnings to be issued.

Police Scotland has urged members of the public to take care in the current conditions and said the authorities are keeping a close eye on the weather situation as the next high tide approaches at 3am.

Met Office yellow "be prepared" warnings remain in place for wind and rain in the Highlands and the Grampian region.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has flood warnings in place for Caithness and Sutherland, Easter Ross, Speyside, Tayside and Aberdeenshire.

Police in the north east said the weather is creating high waves at seafront areas as well as localised flooding across the Grampian region.

Officers said many of the region's rivers are at a higher level than usual and advised members of the public to avoid any activities which could put their safety at risk, including fishing.

In Stonehaven itself, police, along with Aberdeenshire Council and other agencies, were involved in the evacuation of Turners Court.

Water and pebbles have come over the sea wall onto the beachfront and water is said to have reached some distance towards the High Street.

A rest centre has been established at Mackie Academy and Aberdeenshire Council has been handing out sandbags to residents in the beach area, where some properties have already been taking in water.

Police, council officials and a minibus are on stand-by to help with any further evacuations which may be needed.

Kincardine and Mearns area manager Willie Munro, of Aberdeenshire Council, said: "We are keeping a close eye on the situation and although high tide is now past, we are conscious things can change very rapidly.

"The rest centre is set up and available should it be required and additional sandbags are currently being dropped off in the locality of coastal flooding for anyone who needs them."