Thrill-seekers can get the chance to sleep in a snow hole in the middle of the Scottish mountains overnight in a unique holiday experience.
Adventure holiday company Scot Mountain Holidays allows people to construct a communal bunker deep in the Cairngorms national park before spending the night lit only by candle light.
Billed as "not for the faint hearted", a video clip shows campers in sleeping bags in the snow hole that they helped build.
The expedition consists of one day of "necessary winter skills training on the high snowy flanks of Cairngorm", followed by a two-day expedition for the intervening night in the snow hole. After this, participants will spend an additional night in a lodge, where they will be given an evening meal, before departing after breakfast the next morning.
Taking to Facebook to share a video of one of its snow hole expeditions, Scot Mountain Holidays wrote: "A snow-hole constructed with Scotland’s milder conditions in mind: large, narrow and with the unsupported weight of the ceiling removed!"
Overall, the expedition includes four nights of accommodation — one of which is in the snow hole — three days of guiding, all meals, transport to the activities, and cooking and specialist snow hole equipment.
Guests are required to bring their own sleeping bag, however, as well as waterproof clothes, gaiters, and crampons. Winter boots, crampons and ice axes can be hired through Scot Mountain Holidays.
Additionally, the adventure holiday company advises that participants must be fit enough to spend three consecutive days in the winter hills.
Scot Mountain Holidays commented: "The challenge is unique, the rewards are unrivalled and the memories are unforgettable. Help construct a comfortable communal snowhole lit by the reflected light of candles!
"Wake up to the absolute silence of a pristine winter wonderland bathed in the soft light of a Cairngorm dawn. Snow-holing in Scotland is for some one of the most remarkable experiences.
"Although at times tough and not necessarily for the faint hearted, this isn’t an SAS survival course. The focus is on it being an experience to be enjoyed, not endured.
"The aim is to go deep into the winter mountain wilderness and put in the time in to make our communal snow-hole comfortable. Our inspiration isn’t your local rabbit warren but the Sistine Chapel!"
It continued: "We construct a snow-hole designed specifically for Scottish conditions. We make it big with a vaulted roof for good ventilation.
"We snow-hole, we don't snow-hovel! Once the hard work is done it’s time to snuggle into your cosy sleeping bag, sit back, relax, and enjoy the camaraderie of the shared experience.
"Andy, your guide cooks up a delicious home-prepared 3 course meal for us all to enjoy together. Who else can boast home-made carrot and [cardamom] soup in a snow-hole!"
More information can be found on the Scot Mountain Holidays website.
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