A massive clean-up is under way across Scotland after flood waters swamped large parts of the country.

Over 100 people were evacuated from their homes overnight in the north-east as water burst into homes and businesses.

Around 70 people were rescued by firefighters from properties in the Meadows area of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, including the residents of a nursing home. The householders, many of whom were elderly, were taken to a nearby care centre after the River Deveron burst its banks on Monday morning.

Grampian Fire and Rescue said it had experienced its highest demand overnight, with around 350 calls coming in 12 hours.

Aberdeenshire councillor Joanna Strathdee, who lives in Huntly and visited the flood-hit areas on Sunday night and Monday morning, said: "It's devastation, to be honest. The flood water has receded and the emergency services are still here."

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Click here to watch extended footage of the flooding in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

First Minister and MSP for Gordon, Alex Salmond, visited the flood-hit area of Huntly on Tuesday. He said: "Many families and elderly people have been affected by what has been the second round of flooding in as many weeks. Many people in Huntly and across the North East have had a miserable night and my thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the flooding.

"In my capacity as MSP for Gordon, I stand ready to do everything I can to assist and that is why I am going to Huntly today to meet with the emergency services and council representatives to ensure everything that can be done to assist those affected is being done."

At 10.30am today the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) had issued five flood warnings - including one severe warning for the River Dulnain. SEPA said the River Deveron, which passes near Huntly, rose eight feet in 27 hours, making it the highest level since they started collecting records in 1959. At 3.30am today the river was recorded at 3.017 metres (9.9ft). The previous record was 2.796 metres (9.17ft) in 2002.

Police are investigating the possibility that the weather was a factor in a car crash in which a man died near Fraserburgh on Monday morning. The man, in his sixties, died when his car collided with a lorry at Philorth on the A90 Fraserburgh to Cortes road at around 5.20am.

Stonehaven, in Aberdeenshire suffered some of the worst flooding after a river burst its banks in the town and caused 50 people to be rescued from their homes.

Resident Andrew Lawson said: “We only had five or six hours of really heavy rain yesterday and it was just horrendous. I was up on the high street last night with the lifeboat and the water was four feet deep. Scary stuff.”

Scottish Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "Climate change is clearly happening on our doorsteps and flooding events such as these are likely to occur with increasing frequency.
"Everyone needs to be aware of the increased risks and, as we have seen in the last 24 hours, that doesn't just apply to those living in areas where there is a history of flooding.

Thirty stranded motorists were accommodated in Moray Council's rest centres at Keith, and the A941 road at Rothes was closed following a landslip.

In Tayside, people were trapped in their cars and evacuated from their properties, with roads closed and trains cancelled as water levels soared across Angus, Perthshire, Grampian and Fife.

Scotland's severe weather warnings affect the Rivers Spey and Isla, with experts warning that the levels are "extremely" high.

Rail services between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and Dundee and Aberdeen were all cancelled on Monday morning. The main road route north, the A90, was closed at Brechin and rail passengers travelling from Aberdeen to Edinburgh were left stranded for hours by flooded lines at Stonehaven and Montrose.

Homes in Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie and Maryton, Kirriemuir, were flooded. Forth Coastguard had to assist police and fire crews as 50 people were evacuated from the Cameron Street area of Stonehaven and taken to the town hall.

Superintendent Innes Walker of Grampian Police said: "People should not take journeys unless absolutely necessary and they should listen to the radio for updates on road conditions.

Aberdeen received 39mm of rain in the 12 hours from 6am to 6pm on Sunday. About 32mm fell in the Edinburgh area and 25mm in Glasgow.

While waters receded on Monday after the downpour stopped, further rain is forecast overnight.