Storm Ali batters Scotland with 100mph gusts

Scotland was battered by winds of more than 100mph as Storm Ali swept in and left about 70,000 homes without power, with major disruption to the travel network.

Rail, roads, flights and ferry services were all affected by the severe weather on Wednesday which saw trees blown down and buildings damaged by the force of the gusts.

At the peak of the disruption, ScottishPower said 60,000 homes had been affected while 13,000 SSE customers had experienced cuts. By Wednesday evening ScottishPower said 20,000 homes remained without power.

A freight train hit tree branches and left the track near Culloden in the Highlands and a man had to be rescued after becoming trapped under a digger in a river in the village of Rogart in the Highlands.

In Fife, footballers from the University of Dundee had a lucky escape after a tree fell on their coach on the way to a game in St Andrews.

A major incident was declared in Dumfries and Galloway, where parents were informed their children would not be allowed to walk home from school, with school buses also suspended until 5pm.

Passengers on the Nautica cruise liner were stranded in Greenock after the vessel slipped its moorings in high winds. The 478 holidaymakers were expected to get back on board on Wednesday evening.

Restrictions were put in place on the Forth Road Bridge, Clackmannanshire Bridge, Queensferry Crossing and Tay Road Bridge, which recorded a gust of 102.2mph at 3pm.

A Met Office amber warning expired earlier on Wednesday but a yellow warning for high winds was in place until later in the day.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government’s resilience committee to address the impact of Storm Ali.

He said: “As predicted, there has been disruption to transport, with the rail network being hit particularly hard by these high winds.

“While the disruption to travellers is regrettable, I would like to thank everyone who heeded the travel advice, as well as the many emergency response staff who have worked tirelessly to attend to challenges throughout the day.”

Historic Scotland announced the closure of many of its properties on Wednesday, including Edinburgh Castle, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency had to shut its Aberdeen office due to wind damage.

The newly-opened V&A Dundee also had to close its doors to new visitors over safety fears, with people inside the building allowed to take refuge until closing time.