A health board has declared a critical incident amid “extreme pressure” on accident and emergency services.
NHS Grampian said its A&E units at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin and at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary are facing increased demand.
Shantini Paranjothy, the health board’s executive director on call, said the hospitals are facing a “challenging weekend”.
She said: “Our teams are facing a particularly challenging weekend due to the local public holiday on Monday, capacity within our hospitals, and extreme pressures on care within the community.
We apologise to anyone impacted by longer waits or by having to travel further to receive necessary care
“We are working alongside key partners including the Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS Tayside and NHS Highland to take all necessary steps, including diverting ambulances only where absolutely necessary, to ensure all patients are safe and well cared for.
“We are grateful to teams working across the system to support us during this challenging period. We apologise to anyone impacted by longer waits or by having to travel further to receive necessary care.”
Ms Paranjothy also said friends and family of patients leaving hospital could help by coming to “discharge them promptly” so beds are made available for others.
It is understood the Health Secretary will meet the chief executive of NHS Grampian on Sunday.
The Scottish Conservatives said the situation is “extremely worrying”.
North East Tory MSP Liam Kerr said: “This announcement is deeply concerning and highlights NHS Grampian is at absolute breaking point.
“Lives are being put at risk, staff are under intolerable strain, and patients are bearing the brunt of the crisis that is continuing to unfold at the health board.
“It’s extremely worrying that ambulances are having to be diverted, in some cases hundreds of miles, to the Highlands and Tayside. This simply should not be happening.
“The turmoil at ARI and Dr Gray’s has been going on for far too long as NHS Grampian approaches yet another winter emergency.”
Health Secretary Angela Constance said: “The Scottish Government is committed to improving A&E performance and tackling long delays.
“While the challenges facing Scotland are not unique compared to the rest of the UK, I am focused on ensuring people get the care they need as quickly as possible and the status quo cannot continue.
“That is why I have published a new national plan to improve the flow of patients through hospitals and why we have provided £90 million of dedicated funding to support those waiting the longest for treatment.
“It is also why our reforms of the NHS will focus directly on improving services for patients and removing the current bureaucratic barriers in place
“It is important to acknowledge that pressures on our A&E are impacted by the delayed discharge of patients into social care settings.
“Not all of this is in the gift of the Scottish Government, with local government responsible for the delivery of social care, so it is vital we work closely with Councils and social care providers to reform the system as a whole to meet the needs of people.”