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© Helen RennieHelen Rennie at Ciste Mhearad
These striking pictures were captured by Helen Rennie at Ciste Mhearad in the northern Cairngorms.

Low summer temperatures mean snow continues to cling to the mountainsides of the Scottish National Park, even in the middle of August. But as the patches begin to melt from below, and water flows downhill, vast caverns - some big enough to walk through - are formed.

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© Helen RennieSnow continues to cling to the mountainsides of the Scottish National Park
The wavy patterns left behind lend an almost magical quality to the frozen formations.

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© Helen RennieIt melts from the bottom up, creating this unusual effect
It's been a rather dismal summer north of the border, with freezing temperatures recorded in the Highlands in recent weeks. Experts say that more snow has lingered in the Scottish mountains this summer than for at least 20 years.

Back in April, Glencoe ski resort received a late dump of around 70cm of fresh snow prompting some to claim that, at the time, it offered the "best powder on the planet".