SCOTLAND is bracing itself for severe gales and torrential rain over the next few days, with forecasters predicting disruption to transport and power supplies.

More than 30 flood warnings have been put in place by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), while the Met Office has issued a yellow "be aware" warning for wind across almost all of the country.

Gusts are expected to reach up to 80mph in some parts of western and northern Scotland, while other areas will see winds between 60 and 70mph, accompanied by sustained periods of heavy rain.

The weather warnings come after heavy downpours caused a 100 tonne landslide and flooding across parts of the Highlands on Sunday.

Police Scotland also warned of the dangers of swimming in rivers and reservoirs in the aftermath of heavy rainfall following the death of a 19-year-old in the River Findhorn, near Forres, on Saturday evening.

Matthew Crosbie, from Forres, went missing in the river at Randolph's Leap, sparking a major search operation involving a rescue helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth, the Coastguard, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and specialist police searchers.

Inspector Paul McCruden, of Police Scotland, said: "I would like to remind the public of the significant dangers posed by rivers especially in the aftermath of rainfall, the currents are very strong, unpredictable and the water is often very deep.

"It can also be deceptively cold and there may be objects under the water that are hazardous. You can get swept away very quickly.

"Our firm advice is 'do not be tempted' regardless of how strong a swimmer you are. Do not jump in or swim."

Sepa warned that some rivers have reached their highest levels on record and will continue to rise over the next few days.

Some of those worst affected include the upper Spey, the Beauly and the Glass

Richard Brown, Sepa's Duty Hydrology Manager, said: "River and loch levels in the North West of Scotland have risen to some of the highest levels we have on record and the River Ness will continue to rise as rain and snowmelt water works down the catchments. This may cause flooding to riverside properties in the Inverness area.

"Speyside and Tayside rivers will also remain high with most impacts to agricultural land and low-lying roads.

"SEPA will continue to monitor river levels and will issue and update flood alerts and warnings as required."

The landslide on the A87 Invergarry to Kyle of Lochalsh road came after 158mm of rain fell in the area in the space of 36 hours, saturating the slope and causing around 100 tonnes of debris to slip down the hillside.

The road was operating under stop-go signals on Sunday but was expected to reopen fully on Monday morning.

Heavy flooding also closed the A831 Struy Road from Cannich to Mauld Bridge and the Drumnadrochit to Cannich Road on Sunday.

Police Scotland said the public should be "vigilant of persistent and heavy rainfall" in the coming days.

A Met Office spokesman said: "Severe gales will affect parts of western Scotland and northern coastal areas of Northern Ireland on Monday, transferring north and east across Scotland on Monday night before clearing northeast Scotland during Tuesday morning.

"Gusts of 70 to 80 mph are likely in exposed parts of western and northern Scotland. Elsewhere in the warning area, gusts of 60 to 70 mph are possible at times. Large waves will develop around coasts, especially in the west and north.

"Accompanying the strong winds, there will also be some periods of heavy rain, along with potential for several centimetres of snow on some high level routes.

"The public should be aware of the potential for disruption, particularly to transport and power supplies."