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Heavy rain and flood warnings issued as Highlands and Western Isles battered by severe weather

Winds and heavy rainfall battering the north-west will lead to more disruption throughout the day. Image: Jason Hedges.
Winds and heavy rainfall battering the north-west will lead to more disruption throughout the day. Image: Jason Hedges.

Rain and flood warnings have been issued as residents in the Highlands and Western Isles prepare for another day of disruption.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for “heavy and persistent” rain – leading to ferries being cancelled and speed restrictions imposed on railways.

It is expected a band of “slow-moving” rain will continue moving north-west throughout the day, before clearing eastward.

The weather warning, which covers areas from Fort William to Stornoway, will remain in place until 3pm today.

weather
The yellow rain warning covers Skye, parts of the Western Isles and areas of north-west mainland. Image: Met Office

Sepa has also issued flood warnings for Strath Oykel, Srathglass and Invermoriston due to overnight heavy rainfall.

There are also flood alerts for the Western Isles, Skye and Lochaber, as well as Wester Ross, due to the combination of high tides and strong winds.

The Met Office has warned there is a possibility some homes and businesses may be flooded, while many areas could experience up to three inches of rain.

Heavy rain could lead to flooding. Image: Kami Thomson

This will be accompanied by “very strong” southwesterly gusts of up to 60mph, causing further disruption for commuters.

Residents are being warned to check ahead if planning to travel, with ferry services and train timetables affected by the severe weather.

Ferries cancelled

A number of sailings in the north-west have been cancelled or diverted due to blustery conditions.

  • Tobermory to Kilchoan – services cancelled, but expected to run from 4pm.
  • Ardmhor to Eriskay – morning services have been cancelled and will be reviewed at 9am.
  • Oban to Castlebay amended timetable in place.
  • Oban to Colonsay to Port Askaig to Kennacraig amended timetable in place, no livestock to be taken onboard.
  • Uig to Tarbetamended timetable in place, all traffic to check-in 45 minutes prior to departure. Uig to Tarbet 2pm sailing cancelled, and Tarbet to Uig 4pm sailing cancelled.
  • Fionnphort to Iona – all sailings cancelled, later services will be reviewed.
  • Kennacraig to Port Askaig, Kennacraig to Port Ellon – 10.15am sailing will depart from Port Askaig not Port Ellen as timetabled. The sailing is liable for cancellation at short notice.
  • Gallanach to Kerrera – all sailings suspended, with a review at noon.
  • Ullapool to Stornoway – morning sailings cancelled, 2.30pm sailing from Stornoway and 6.15pm sailing from Ullapool expected to run.
  • Oban to Lismore – sailings cancelled, 2pm departure from Oban is still under review.
  • Uig to Lochmaddy amended timetable in place, all traffic to check-in 45 minutes before departure.
  • Berneray to Leverburgh – morning sailings cancelled, weather permitting the sailing from Berneray at 1.30pm and the service from Leberburgh at 2.40pm will operate.
  • Sconser to Raasay – service suspended.
  • Mallaig to Armadale – morning sailings cancelled, afternoon sailings liable to disruption and cancellations.
  • Mallaig to Lochboisdale amended timetable in operation, no livestock to be taken on service.

Temporary speed restrictions in place

A fire next to the track at Glasgow Central Station has added to the weather disruption on lines from the central belt.

However, Scotrail says the lines have now reopened and services are “returning to normal”, but warn some are still cancelled, delayed or revised.

Services between Oban, Fort William and Mallaig are expected to be disrupted throughout the day.

In a statement on their website, Scotrail wrote: “We have severe weather forecasted in some areas and our services will need to run at a reduced speed through different sections of the route.”

Here is the list of services affected:

  • Glasgow Queen Street and Mallaig
  • Glasgow Queen Street and Oban
  • Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh

The disruption is expected to last on the lines until 10.30am tomorrow.

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