Scots have been warned to prepare for power cuts as ministers raise concerns over cyber attacks, hostile states and growing geopolitical instability.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray said the threat of blackouts was no longer confined to winter storms or rural communities, with households across Scotland urged to improve their resilience.
Speaking at Holyrood, Mr Gray said: “Geopolitical instability, hostile state activity, cyber threats, infrastructure disruption, public health pressures and supply chain vulnerabilities at home and abroad all affect Scotland and they are increasingly interconnected.
“That can create complex and cascading impacts that challenge traditional approaches to resilience.”
Mr Gray said families should be prepared to cope without electricity for several days, drawing on his own experience growing up in rural Scotland.
“When I was growing up, I knew where the candles and necessary equipment were located in order to last for a few days during a power cut.
“As we face new and dynamic threats in different parts of the country, we will need to pass on that resilience to those who live in other parts of the country.”
He also urged employers to support staff unable to travel during severe weather.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay criticised the response to last month's Storm Boelo, highlighting failures in flood prevention measures across west coast communities.
Mr Gray said lessons from the storm would inform a forthcoming Scottish resilience framework aimed at improving the country's response to future emergencies.