Trains were cancelled and Highland schools closed in the wake of Storm Jocelyn which brought gusts of wind of up to 74mph across the north of Scotland overnight.
Dozens of homes in the north and north-east have been without power, as SSEN engineers continue to assess the impact of the storm on its network.
Several schools have also been closed in the Highland Council area today, mainly in the far north, while train services are slowly re-opening around the country.
A yellow wind warning for parts of Highland and Grampian was extended until 3pm.
Meanwhile, food supplies are running low in two island communities as Storm Jocelyn brought CalMac ferries to a standstill.
Amber and yellow warnings were in force across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Highlands, Orkney and the west coast overnight – but a more settled period of weather is excepted for the rest of the week.
The Met Office said the strongest gusts were in South Usit where a gust of 74mph was recorded.
School closures
In Highland, several schools are closed today.
Bower Primary: Closed
Canisbay Primary: Closed
Castletown Primary: Closed
Crossroads Primary: Closed
Durness Primary: Closed
Farr High School: Closed
Farr Primary (Suth): Closed
Halkirk Primary: Closed
Keiss Primary: Closed
Keiss Primary Nursery: Closed
Melvich Primary: Closed
Miller Academy Primary: Closed
Mount Pleasant Primary: Closed
Pennyland Primary: Closed
Reay Primary: Closed
Thrumster Primary: Closed
Thurso High School: Closed
Tongue Primary: Closed
Watten Primary: Closed
Wick High School: Closed
Power disruption
Power has been restored to more than 7,000 households across the north and north-east.
SSEN control room teams worked throughout the night to respond to faults and restore power remotely as thousands of homes endured blackouts amidst the strong winds.
Customers were impacted in:
- the Dunvegan area of Skye
- Elgol, Skye
- Nethy Bridge
- Ullapool
- Durness
- Dunnet Head, Thurso
- Cromarty Firth
- Forres
- New Pitsligo
- Pitmedden
- Stromness
SSEN officials have confirmed just 100 properties remain offline, with officials working to reconnect them by the end of the day.
In a statement, Andy Smith, operations director at SSEN distribution, said: “Our network held up well overnight, despite Jocelyn’s severe, sustained winds. Our teams have worked hard in challenging conditions all day to reconnect customers.
“Tonight, we’re pushing on with reconnecting the final few remaining customers still off supply. We’re on track to do so this evening, and I would like to thank customers for their patience. I would also like to thank our teams for their tireless work over the last few days reconnecting homes across the north of Scotland.”
“I’d like to also remind people who’ve been off for more than 12 hours of the compensation they can claim for any food and drink costs today.
“If anyone is still without power and hasn’t heard from us, please give us a call on 105 so we can respond and get you reconnected as quickly as possible.”
Disruption on the roads due to Storm Jocelyn
Minor roads were closed across the north and north-east this morning as the clear-up operation began.
The Skye, Dornoch and Kessock bridges were closed to high-sided vehicles.
A862 – Closed at Conon Bridge due to a fallen tree, now re-opened.
A83 – the road near Arrochar was closed at 4am this morning and has since reopened after a tree fell over the road.
B9023 was blocked between Cornhill and Portsoy due to a fallen tree blocking the road, and has since been cleared.
Bus services
Operators of Scottish Citylink have advised passengers to check ahead for any service disruption.
Stagecoach Bluebird said all Aberdeen city and shire services were set to run this morning, but warned: “Due to the high winds forecasted this morning service may be subject to delays or have to divert at short notice.”
Train lines begin to reopen after Storm Jocelyn
ScotRail services have been restored across the country ending days of disruption and cancellations.
The operator decided to close the railway to passenger services from 7pm on Tuesday while the worst of the weather hit to keep customers and staff safe.
Lines have now reopened, however, services between Inverness and Perth are engineers continue to carry out safety checks.
Tickets for travel dated 20 – 26 January can now be used any day this week, up to and including Friday January 26. This means that these can be used before or after the date printed on the ticket.
Customers whose journey has been cancelled or disrupted can get a fee-free refund at
scotrail.co.uk/refund
.
To stay up to date with the latest travel disruption, visit the ScotRail website.
Ferry services disrupted – CalMac and Pentland Ferries
Finlay MacRae, head of operations at CalMac, acknowledged the challenges facing island communities as Storm Jocelyn hit the west coast.
In particular, Barra and Vatersay have not received any food supplies since last Wednesday.
Many services remain suspended this morning, and ferries may experience disruption at short notice.
However ,the ferry operator has offered space to suppliers on alternative routes today.
Mr MacRae said: “It’s a challenging and difficult time for communities, with travel and supply chain interrupted throughout prolonged periods of adverse weather.”
Robbie Drummond, chief executive of CalMac, said: “Strong winds and sea swell have prevented us from running normal services for several days and led to all routes being cancelled or at high risk of cancellation yesterday. This weather continues to affect sailings today.
“We understand that it is a very challenging and difficult time for island communities, with travel and supply chain disrupted.
“We are constantly looking at options to resume services whenever there’s a weather window that is safe to do so, including a service from Castlebay to Oban on Wednesday, returning from Oban on Thursday.
“Cancelling a sailing is always a last resort but the safety of customers, our crews, and port staff is our absolute priority. W
“We are grateful to the communities who use the network for their patience and understanding during storms, and for our own staff ashore and on the vessels, for doing everything they can to restore services when conditions improve.
“Whilst disruption is unavoidable, we are continually looking at service resumption options when there’s a weather window and it is safe to do so.”
Adding: “The safety of our crews, port staff and the customers we serve is our priority. We are always grateful to the communities who use the network for their patience and understanding during storms.”
Pentland Ferries have also been forced to cancel crossings between St Margeret’s Hope and Gills Bay today due to the forecast.
The following sailings have been cancelled on Wednesday:
- 7.45am from St Margaret’s Hope to Gills Bay
9.30am from Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope
Orkney Ferries, and Argyll and Bute Council ferry services are also liable to disruption.
Weather warnings in place on Wednesday January 24
Met Office warnings for wind carry on into Wednesday affecting the whole of Scotland.
The amber warning will end from 8am, however, the strong winds are expected to continue until 3pm.
The Met Office is warning of potential disruption to travel, power cuts and mobile phone coverage.
Sepa have also issued yellow flood alert warnings for the following areas:
- Argyll and Bute
- Easter Ross and Great Glen
- Findhorn Nairn Moray and Speyside
- Skye and Lochaber
Tell us what the weather is like where you are by emailing livenews@pressandjournal.co.uk, or by text/ WhatsApp to 07496491030.
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