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Scotland buffeted by severe gales | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Gusts of more than 80mph have been recorded in Scotland as much of the country was hit by high winds. | |
The Met Office had predicted severe gales for most areas, with a yellow "be aware" warning of high winds in place until 05:00 on Tuesday. | |
By 18:00 on Monday, gusts of 89mph had been recorded on South Uist and 83mph on Skye. | |
Edinburgh had seen gusts of more than 60mph, with similar winds recorded in many other areas. | |
The Met Office has also warned of large waves developing around the coast, especially in the north and west. | The Met Office has also warned of large waves developing around the coast, especially in the north and west. |
Extra staff | |
The electricity provider SSE has drafted in hundreds of extra staff to help deal with any disruption to power supplies. | |
Fire fighters were called out to try to stop the roof being blow off a building in Earlish near Uig on the Isle of Skye and a bus went off the road on the A82 near the Glencoe ski centre - although no one was injured. | |
Earlier in the day, all schools on Uist and Barra had been closed and 23 of ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne's 26 services were disrupted. | |
Several Monday evening bus services, including Stornoway to Point, were also cancelled. | |
Shawbost Swimming Pool in Shawbost on the west side of Lewis and Liniclate Sports Centre in Benbecula were also closed. | |
The Skye Bridge was closed to high sided vehicles and high wind warnings were issued for the Dornoch Bridge. | |
Transport Minister Derek Mackay said travel across large parts of Scotland could be challenging during the worst of the weather. | Transport Minister Derek Mackay said travel across large parts of Scotland could be challenging during the worst of the weather. |
He said: "Due to high winds and seasonal weather there are a number of disruptions and cancellations to ferry services. | He said: "Due to high winds and seasonal weather there are a number of disruptions and cancellations to ferry services. |
"This kind of disruption is not uncommon at this time of year. | "This kind of disruption is not uncommon at this time of year. |
"All operators are actively informing their customers through notifications on their websites, emails, text messages and direct contact of disruption and cancellations to services." | "All operators are actively informing their customers through notifications on their websites, emails, text messages and direct contact of disruption and cancellations to services." |
He added: "Scotrail and Network Rail have also drafted in additional resources and have made contingency plans. | He added: "Scotrail and Network Rail have also drafted in additional resources and have made contingency plans. |
"Passengers should expect some cancellations, especially on coastal routes. All passengers should check operators websites for the latest information." | "Passengers should expect some cancellations, especially on coastal routes. All passengers should check operators websites for the latest information." |
Highlands and Islands Local Resilience Partnership, which involves police and local authorities, warned that there was the potential for some disruption to power supplies. | |
Lewis-based Dr Edward Graham, of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), said the south westerly Atlantic storm was a typical winter storm of the kind usually seen in February. | |
Dr Graham added: "The storm is not going to be the hurricane we had in January, but winds of over 70mph are still dangerous." | Dr Graham added: "The storm is not going to be the hurricane we had in January, but winds of over 70mph are still dangerous." |
A swell chart produced by surfers' website Magicseaweed predicts swells of up 40ft off the Western Isles on Monday evening. | A swell chart produced by surfers' website Magicseaweed predicts swells of up 40ft off the Western Isles on Monday evening. |
The gales follow bad weather over the weekend which caused flooding in large parts of the Highlands. | |
One person was treated for injuries after fire crews evacuated eight residents from the flooded Lovat Bridge Caravan Park near the River Beauly in Beauly on Sunday. | One person was treated for injuries after fire crews evacuated eight residents from the flooded Lovat Bridge Caravan Park near the River Beauly in Beauly on Sunday. |
The A87 Invergarry to Kyle of Lochalsh road was closed by a 100 tonne landslide at Cluanie. The road is now passable. | The A87 Invergarry to Kyle of Lochalsh road was closed by a 100 tonne landslide at Cluanie. The road is now passable. |
Drumnadrochit, Maryburgh, Cannich and Inverness were also affected by flooding caused by heavy rain and snow melting at higher levels. | Drumnadrochit, Maryburgh, Cannich and Inverness were also affected by flooding caused by heavy rain and snow melting at higher levels. |
Inverness Caledonian Thistle's match against Raith Rovers in Inverness had to be postponed because of a water logged pitch. | Inverness Caledonian Thistle's match against Raith Rovers in Inverness had to be postponed because of a water logged pitch. |
A Met Office amber weather warning had been in place for Friday and Saturday. | A Met Office amber weather warning had been in place for Friday and Saturday. |
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said over the weekend river and loch levels in the north west had risen to some of the highest levels on record. | The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said over the weekend river and loch levels in the north west had risen to some of the highest levels on record. |