Most Scottish train services are suspended as a violent storm hits Scotland’s west coast, with windspeeds climbing over 100 mph.
<!–
–>
Oban’s Waterfront Fishouse restaurant lost part of its flat roof last night in the 100mph gales
#scotstorm #ObanTimes pic.twitter.com/l4EynPnWuD
— oban times (@obantimes) January 9, 2015
The Aberdeen Sleeper hit a tree at Cupar this morning during #scotstorm. Tree was cleared & Sleeper slowly continuing pic.twitter.com/rDIGWiNyTX
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) January 9, 2015
Winds of 113mph were recorded at Stornoway – the joint strongest gusts recorded there since records began in 1970. Another gust at that speed was recorded on 12 February 1962.
Thousands of people were left without power in the highlands and islands, and Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution said about 73,000 customers were without power at the height of the storm. It says 24,000 homes have been reconnected.
ScottishPower said 12,000 customers lost supply at the peak of the incident and that 6,000 homes have been reconnected.
Police in Inverness said several roads and bridges, including the Skye Bridge and Dornoch Bridge, have been closed in northern Scotland. The Churchill Barriers in Orkney have been closed.
A tree blown over at Stirling University in last nightâ??s #scotstorm only narrowly missed the library offices. pic.twitter.com/AY607CVc2D
— Mìcheal Marten (@MichaelMarten) January 9, 2015
The Forth Road bridge was closed to all vehicles after a van blew over just before 1am, reopening to cars at around 8am, while many roads around the country have been affected by fallen trees.
Amber warnings were issued by the Met Office for the north and central belt of Scotland – including Glasgow and Edinburgh – as an Atlantic jet stream reaches land.
The Met Office has issued yellow “be prepared” warnings for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which are expected to receive winds of 60mph and 70mph.