Western Isles schools to close amid yellow weather warning for high winds

All schools in the Western Isles are to close on Tuesday amid a forecast for winds of almost 70mph.

A Met Office yellow weather warning, covering much of Scotland, will come into force at 3am on Tuesday and remain in place until 9pm.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar says the decision has been taken in order to prioritise pupil safety, with winds of up to 68mph forecast around the time children would be travelling to school.

There are also concerns over potential coastal flooding.

Libraries in Harris, Uist and Barra will also be closed, and all mobile library services are cancelled.

Stornoway Library will delay opening, but is expected to open by 12pm.

The local authority said a number of other public services may be affected, including bus services – which will be liable to disruption.

It is expected that sports centres in Lewis and Harris will open as normal, however, Uist and Barra’s facilities will initially be closed at the peak of the winds.

They will open later in the afternoon if the winds drop sufficiently.

Home care hours may also be reviewed or reallocated, and staff shift times altered to maximise safety.