Ferry passengers face major disruption today after warnings of strong gales sweeping the Western Isles.
Winds of more than 60mph are predicted for South Uist and Barra this afternoon.
Wild seas are forecast for the Hebrides, with waves up to 30ft high expected off the islands’ western coasts.
The strongest winds may peak close to the lunchtime high tide, with the potential for waves and sea spray to crash over exposed causeways and coastal roads.
Forecast high tide times for Castlebay is around 12.30pm and some 70 minutes later in Stornoway though the timings will be affected by strong southerly winds pushing the flow.
Sea heights are expected to rise higher than normal due to a surge effect and low atmospheric pressure.
A heavy swell and rising winds on Sunday meant the MV Isle of Lewis was weather bound in Stornoway harbour yesterday, forcing the cancellation of sailings to and from Skye.
Services on the route are also cancelled today.
Ferries from South Uist and Barra, the inter-island crossing from Barra to Eriskay and Colonsay may also be disrupted at short notice. Today’s early morning run for Iona is cancelled.
The MV Clansman and the MV Lord of the Isles may bring forward their departure times to avoid the worst of the weather and the MV Loch Seaforth’s afternoon return sailing between Lewis and Ullapool is also at risk of cancellation or delays at short notice.
Other services may be affected today – skippers are studying update weather forecasts and will make decisions nearer the sailing time.
The bad weather is caused by a deep low pressure system in the mid-Atlantic heading towards the north of Scotland.
A Met Office forecast said: “A southerly or southwesterly flow, strong to gale force in the northwest will prevail over the next two days, between a deep low centred to the west of the British Isles and high pressure centred over the near continent.”