Scotland battles gale-force winds, closing schools and halting transport

Forecast gale-force winds forced the shutdown of every school in the Western Isles and dozens of primary and secondary schools across the Highlands and Aberdeenshire. The Met Office cautioned that gusts of 50-60 mph are widespread, with isolated coastal spots in the north-west and far north possibly seeing 70 mph or higher. In response, Network Rail Scotland placed speed restrictions on multiple northern lines, and ScotRail warned of delays on the Edinburgh-Dundee route over the Tay Bridge.

Several ferry services were cancelled, and a fallen tree blocked the northbound on-slip to the A9 at Stockbridge near Dunblane. The weather followed Storm Boelo, which already claimed two lives, including Richard Baines, a curator at Logan Botanic Garden. Authorities urged the public to monitor forecasts and follow safety advice from the Met Office, SEPA and police.