Some ferries are cancelled and trains disrupted as wind and rain continues to batter the West Coast.
In Aberdeen the day will start with sunshine, but rain will push over from the west by late morning.
Schools are returning to normal today after two days of strikes – and there are no schools across the region are closed today.
The A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful will again remain closed today and overnight due to landslip concerns with traffic diverted to the Old Military Road. A further inspection is due on Friday morning.
Ferries at risk today
- Oban to Barra: Due to previous weather disruptions, an additional sailing will operate from Castlebay at 7am, arriving in Oban at 11.45am. Due to weather conditions a return journey will not be possible. On Friday due to the vessel being out of position, the 7am from Castlebay has been cancelled. The 1pm from Oban will operate as timetabled.
⚠️YELLOW #Mallaig #Oban #Lochboisdale 12Jan Due to weather cancellations, weather permitting an additional sailing will operate on Thursday 12th as follows: Dep Lochboisdale: 0515, Arr Mallaig 0845, Dep Mallaig: 0905, Arr Lochboisdale 1235.
— CalMac Service Info (@CalMac_Updates) January 12, 2023
- Tobermory to Kilchoan: Due to forecast adverse weather, service will be liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice.
- Oban to Coll and Tiree: Due to forecast adverse weather there will only be one stop at Coll, arriving into Coll at 9.55am and departing at 10.10am. Berthing is not guaranteed.
- Tayinloan to Gigha: Due to forecast weather, this service is at high possibility of disruption or cancellation at short notice from noon onward.
- Fionnphort to Iona: Due to adverse weather with strong winds and sea swell, this service will be liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice. The 7am sailing from Iona has been cancelled. There will a review at approximately 8am for later sailings.
- Oban to Lismore: Due to South West winds gusting up to 57 mph, service will be liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice. Afternoon sailings are most at risk.
- Mallaig to the Small Isles: Due to a navigational aid being out of place at the entrance to Muck Harbour, all sailings to Muck until further notice are liable to disruption/possible cancellation at short notice. The Mallaig – Canna service may be liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice in adverse weather due to operational reasons. This is due to pier infrastructure issues.Due to a pier infrastructure issue at Eigg, this service is liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice. Unfortunately this is outwith Calmac’s control. Due to ongoing infrastructure issues with the Isle of Rum’s Pier fender all sailings between Mallaig and Rum are liable to disruption or possible cancellation at short notice until this issue has been resolved.
- Mallaig to Lochboisdale: Due to weather cancellations, weather permitting, an additional sailing will operate on Thursday 12. Departing Lochboisdale – 5.15am, Depart Mallaig – 9.05am.
A CalMac spokeswoman said: “We’ll keep customers informed should there be any further changes in connection to our routes.
“If you’ve not already done so, download our app or follow our Twitter @CalMac_Updates so we can provide you with timely updates, with the latest information we have available. Alternatively, you can also sign up to our service status text updates.”
Trains disrupted due to heavy rain
There are two incidents affecting services on the West Coast line.
🌧️ We're sorry if your journey on the #WestHighlandLine takes longer today. Due to heavy rain, we have speed restrictions in place for safety reasons.
Check with your operator or @NationalRailEnq for updates on your journey.@ScotRail @CalSleeper @WestCoastRail @GBRailfreight pic.twitter.com/kdIwPAzHvx
— Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) January 12, 2023
- Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig: Because of a speed restriction because of heavy rain disruption is expected to last until around 9am today. Trains will be delayed by up to 40 minutes.
- Services from Glasgow to Oban due at 8.35am will be terminated at Ardlui. It will no longer call at stations between Crianlarich and Oban. A minibus will now take passengers to Dalmally and onto Oban. An additional train service has been planned to operate as shown 7.51am Dalmally to Oban due 8.35am.
- Trains on the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh line have returned to normal today after a sinkhole caused disruption yesterday.
To check how your train is running, see live departure and arrivals for your station. To find the best train times for your journey, use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner.
Weather for today
The Met Office has said it will be a dry start for many today, with rain heading towards the east.
- Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray: A dry and sunny start to the day before a band of rain pushes in from the west by late morning. This clears into the afternoon to leave scattered blustery showers behind. Some snow on hills. Maximum temperature 7C.
- Highlands and Western Isles: Dry to start but a band of rain pushing in from the west through the morning, falling as snow on hills. This followed by frequent blustery showers into the afternoon. Maximum temperature 6C.
- Orkney and Shetland: Scattered showers across Orkney and Shetland today, however, there will be a good deal of dry and sunny conditions in between. Winds increasing during the afternoon. Maximum temperature 5C.
- Oban and North Argyll: Dry to start but a band of rain pushing in from the west through the morning. This followed by frequent blustery showers into the afternoon. Maximum temperature 8C.