Winds of up to 80mph expected to hammer north and north-east

People are bracing themselves for gale-force winds as stormy weather will batter the north and north-east.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for winds of up to 80mph across the north and north-east from 8pm.

People are told to expect “very strong winds” that will bring possible disruption to travel, with a number of ferries already cancelled for the day.

The far north and west coast are likely to feel the worst of the winds with the warning in place until 10am on Wednesday.

⚠️ Yellow weather warning UPDATED ⚠️

Strong winds across northern parts of Scotland
Tuesday 2000 – Wednesday 1000

Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/h3w77gVXX9

— Met Office (@metoffice) January 31, 2023

Very strong winds

A Met Office spokeswoman said people should expect: “Very strong winds to bring some disruption to parts of Scotland.”

She said there was a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris, and a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs.

She continued: “There is a small chance of longer journey times or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected.

“There is a small chance that some roads and bridges could close.

“There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.”

She said people should be careful at coastal locations where there was a “small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties”.

What should you expect where you are?

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire: Westerly gales and showers on Tuesday, wintry at times, but mainly dry and sunny along east coast. Winds and showers easing on Wednesday. In Aberdeen gusts of up to 50mph, in Peterhead 54mph, and in 46mph Stonehaven.

Highlands and Western Isles: Westerly gales and heavy showers on Tuesday, showers wintry at times with hail and thunder. Winds and showers easing on Wednesday. Gusts of up to 46mph in Inverness, 59mph in the Western Isles, and 53mph in Wick.

Moray: Westerly gales and showers on Tuesday, wintry at times, but mainly dry and sunny along east coast. Winds and showers easing on Wednesday. Gusts of up to 50mph in Elgin, 51mph in Burghead and 50mph in Forres.

Argyll and Lochaber: Westerly gales and heavy showers on Tuesday with hail and thunder possible. Winds and showers easing on Wednesday. Gusts of up to 53mph in Oban, 50mph in Fort William and 53mph at Islay Airport.

Shetland and Orkney: Cold with blustery showers on Tuesday and very windy with storm force winds possible later. Winds and showers easing on Wednesday. In Lerwick expect gusts of up to 42mph, and 57mph in Kirkwall.

Travel disruption

Calmac has already cancelled a number of services throughout the day due to the adverse weather forecast.

• Ardmhor, Barra – Eriskay: The 07.15am and 09.15am sailings from Ardmhor are cancelled, as well as the 08.10am and 10.10am departing from Eriksay.
• Oban – Castlebay: Cancelled for Tuesday, with the 1pm service on Wednesday scheduled to go ahead.
• Oban – Coll – Tiree: Cancelled for Tuesday.
• Ullapool – Stornoway:  The 09.30am and 4.30pm sailings from Ullapool and the service from Stornoway at 1pm on Tuesday have been cancelled. The 6am service from Stornoway on Wednesday is also cancelled.
• Freight Ullapool – Stornoway:  The 9.30pm sailing from Stornoway on Tuesday is cancelled, and the 2am service from Ullapool on Wednesday has been cancelled.
• Ullapool – Lochmaddy: Cancelled for Tuesday, sailings on Wednesday expected to be delayed.
• Mallaig – Armadale: Cancelled for Tuesday.
• Mallaig – Small Isles: Cancelled for Tuesday.
• Mallaig/Oban – Lochboisdale: Cancelled for Tuesday.
• Berneray – Leverburgh: Service has been suspended but will be reviewed again at noon.