Travel disruption as Storm Bram sweeps across Scotland

Ferries have been cancelled and rail services disrupted as Storm Bram begins to sweep across Scotland.

The Met Office issued an amber wind warning for north-west Scotland which takes effect from 16:00 until midnight, with gusts of up to 90mph forecast. The storm is also bringing high winds and heavy rain to the rest of Scotland earlier in the day.

ScotRail announced that some trains in the north west would finish early and there would be speed restrictions and delays in other parts of the country.

Several ferry routes on the west coast are cancelled or facing disruption, CalMac has warned.

Storm Bram, named by the Irish weather service Met Éireann, is the second named storm of the season.

It follows Storm Amy in October which caused travel disruption and power cuts across tens of thousands of homes in Scotland.

ScotRail said trains would stop early on the West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig, as well as services from Kyle of Lochalsh.

Other services in the north east, central and southern regions are likely to face delays and speed restrictions during the day.

CalMac has warned of possible disruptions caused by the weather conditions on all routes not currently cancelled or delayed.

P&O Ferries and Stenaline sailings between Cairnryan and Northern Ireland are also affected, with a number of cancellations because of the forecast high winds.

Those booked on to any of the affected sailings are advised not to travel to the Cairnryan area as long delays are expected.

Freight drivers have been advised that Operation Overflow – an emergency parking plan for lorries that cannot get on ferries – will be activated at 10:00.

The Met Office has issued a number of yellow warnings for wind covering the whole of Scotland on Tuesday and Wednesday.

There remains a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses.

The Met Office has also warned of possible flooding to homes and buildings, and delays or cancellations to train and bus services.

Strong winds could also cause delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport alongside buses and train services.

Coastal regions could also be affected by large waves.

Wind:

• An amber warning is in place for the Western Isles, north-west Highlands and Argyll and Bute from 16:00 to midnight on Tuesday. Very strong south-westerly winds could result in gusts of 70-80mph (113-129km/h) expected widely, and up to 90mph (145km/h) in a few places.
• A yellow warning has been issued for north and north-east Scotland, Argyll and Bute and parts of central Scotland from midday to midday on Wednesday. Gusts of 60-70mph (97-113km/h) are expected fairly widely, but gusts of 70-80mph (113-129km/h) are possible across the Hebrides and western Highland.
• A yellow warning has also been issued from midday Tuesday to 06:00 Wednesday for eastern Scotland, central and Southern Scotland as well as parts of northern England and Wales. Gusts of 50-60mph (80-97km/h) are possible widely, and potentially in excess of 70mph (113km/h) for some exposed headlands and high ground.

Rain:

• A yellow warning has been issued taking effect from 06:00 to midday. A spell of heavy rain is expected to move north across the central Scotland, including Perth, Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued 12 flood alerts.

They cover larges parts of Scotland, including Argyll and Bute, Orkney, Western Isles, Tayside and Dumfries and Galloway.

Sepa said there was a risk of coastal flooding on Tuesday due to a combination of very strong winds, a storm surge and spring tides.

It said heavy and persistent rain could cause some minor flooding impacts from smaller rivers and surface water.