Storm Bert: New warning issued as travel disruption hits north and north-east

Trains, buses and ferries were disrupted as two yellow warnings and an amber warning hit the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Moray and Western Isles on Saturday.

By Alberto Lejarraga

November 23 2024, 8:44 am

Trains, buses, road journeys and ferries were disrupted as two yellow warnings and an amber warning hit the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Moray and Western Isles today. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

Storm Bert brought strong winds as two yellow weather warnings were in place across most of the north and north-east.

A new yellow weather warning for “heavy rain” was issued for an area of Aberdeenshire between 3pm today and 7am on Sunday.

A yellow warning for “strong winds” was in place for most of the Highlands, including the Western Isles, and parts of Aberdeenshire and Moray.

The weather warnings were in place until 5pm on Saturday. Image: Met Office

An amber weather warning for “heavy snow” and ice also hit the Cairngorms, including Kingussie and reaching the area near Ballater between 7am and 12pm.

Storm Bert is also bringing travel disruption across the north and north-east, with commuters and travellers facing train and bus cancellations.

New yellow weather warning for rain in Aberdeenshire

The Met Office issued a new yellow weather warning for “heavy rain” at 2:56pm on Saturday.

It was in place in an area of Aberdeenshire until 7am on Sunday.

Two yellow weather warnings are in place for Sunday. Image: Met Office

Banchory, Alford and Inverurie were among the towns affected.

Meanwhile, another yellow warning for wind was in place for the north-west of the Highlands and the Western Isles on Sunday.

All-day disruption hitting trains between Aberdeen and Inverness

The strong winds across the north and north-east led to train disruption on the Aberdeen to Inverness line.

ScotRail’s app read: “Because of forecasted severe weather disruption is expected until the end of today (23 November).

“Train services between Aberdeen and Inverness may be delayed or revised.

“Disruption is expected to last until the end of today, Saturday, November 23.

“The next named storm of 2024, Storm Bert, will pass over Scotland in the next few days bringing heavy snow, rain and high winds across the ScotRail Network.

“As a result, speed restrictions have been imposed across some lines for customer and staff safety.”

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray

Trains between Aberdeen and Inverurie were “suspended” at parts of today due to the weather conditions.

ScotRail said the disruption was expected to last until the end of the day.

train snow — Train journeys were impacted by Storm Bert. Image: DC Thomson.

Meanwhile, trains between Aberdeen and Glasgow were being cancelled earlier due to a tree blocking the railway between Glasgow Queen Street and Bishopbriggs.

Disruption lasted until 1:30pm.

Traffic Scotland confirmed that the A939 was closed northbound at the snow gate at Cock Bridge due to adverse weather conditions.

The road was also closed at the snow gate at Tomintoul.

The snow gates were closed in both directions on the B974 between Banchory and Fettercairn.

Road users are advised to drive with care due to low temperatures and the risk of ice currently affecting driving conditions on many roads throughout the region.

The live state of the roads can be checked on Traffic Scotland’s website.

Buses

Stagecoach Bluebird says buses across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray are running as normal, but advises delays or last minute cancellations may occur.

On Saturday the company cancelled several services between Ellon and Fraserburgh and Aberdeen and Ellon.

bus cancellations — Stagecoach cancelled several buses in the Fraserburgh-Ellon-Aberdeen route. Image: Stagecoach

A number of flights between Aberdeen and London were also cancelled, including:

British Airways 2:10pm London Heathrow to Aberdeen
British Airways 4:15pm London Heathrow to Aberdeen
British Airways 2:55pm Aberdeen to London Heathrow
British Airways 5pm Aberdeen to London Heathrow

Highlands

Most Stagecoach buses are running across the Highlands but the operator says the severe weather may affect services.

The operator’s Twitter reads: “Due to the weather warning in place, heavy rain and wind is forecast, with freezing temperature this may result in disruption, potentially affecting services.

“Causing delays or last minutes cancellations.

“For live times please download the Stagecoach app.”

Services across the Cairngorms National Park were badly affected on Saturday.

The company said: “Due to freezing temperatures, the Cairngorm park is closed therefor all service 30s will terminate at Glenmore.

“This will be monitored throughout the day any updates will be posted.”

Roads

Meanwhile, road users are advised to drive with care due to low temperatures and ice.

Motorists were urged to be cautious when crossing the A9 Dornoch Bridge due to high winds currently affecting driving conditions.

They should also be careful when crossing the A87 Skye Bridge.

Some parts of the A9 still have snow.