Travel disruption reported throughout Scotland as Storm Ashley hits 

High winds have caused travel disruption across the country as Storm Ashley batters Scotland.

An amber weather warning for the north-west of Scotland has been put in place, while a yellow weather warning has been put in place for the whole of the country from 3am on Sunday until noon on Monday, with winds of up to 75mph expected.

The Met Office has said there is a “small chance” of danger to life from flying debris and large waves on the coast.

It added that some roads and bridges could close, with the possibility of cancellations affecting trains and flights, as well as potential damage to buildings.

Transport Scotland warned of likely disruptions to public transport, including the country’s ferry network.

A statement said: “A windy period is expected across the whole of the UK on Sunday and into Monday, but across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, north-west England and north-west Wales there is an increased chance of some disruption.

“Initially a period of strong south to south-easterly winds will likely develop through to Sunday morning, with gusts of 50-60mph possible in some inland areas, especially Northern Ireland and western Scotland, and perhaps up to 60-70mph along exposed coasts and hills.

“Winds will then likely turn south-westerly, with a period of especially strong winds possible during Sunday afternoon and evening in western Scotland where gusts could potentially reach 70-80mph in exposed areas, and more generally 55-65mph in other parts of the warning area.

“These strong winds in conjunction with high spring tides may cause some disruption.”

ScotRail announced that due to heavy flooding, the line between Stonehaven and Aberdeen has been closed.

Services between Glasgow Queen Street, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen face cancellation or delays.

Services due to depart and arrive into Helensburgh Central will terminate and start from Dumbarton Central, due to a signal fault at Craigendoran caused by waves crashing over the sea wall next to the railway.

On Sunday afternoon, Network Rail Scotland shared a video on X of waves breaching the sea wall near Saltcoats, Ayrshire, affecting the nearby train line and making it “not safe to run trains until conditions improve”.

As a result, services from Glasgow Central to Largs and Ardrossan will terminate at Kilwinning and turn back from there.

The company warned that services on Monday morning could be affected by trees and debris on the track and asked customers to check their services before travelling.

And the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued 22 flood warnings across the country, along with 17 flood alerts, covering large swathes of the country.

Ferry operator CalMac – which serves the west coast of Scotland – has cancelled the majority of sailings for the day, with the islands of Arran, Bute, Lewis and Harris being cut off as a result of adverse conditions at sea caused by the high winds.

On Friday, operator P&O Ferries announced its sailings between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in Scotland’s south west were to be cancelled on Sunday.

STV News Meteorologist Philip Petrie has said Storm Ashley will go through what is called explosive cyclogenesis – or a “weather bomb”.

He said: “During Saturday night, Storm Ashley crossed the jet stream, so the relatively slack low-pressure system that it begins life as will move across what is essentially a 200mph wind stream.

“As it does this, it goes through what is called explosive cyclogenesis (or a “weather bomb”). This means the low pressure deepens rapidly into an extremely deep area of low pressure—aka Storm Ashley.”

An amber wind warning covering the Western Isles, parts of Caithness and Sutherland and parts of Argyll and Bute will run from 9am Sunday until midnight. Within this area, we expect to see gusts of between 70-80mph.

Locals have been warned of delays to ferry services and flights to the islands due to strong winds and high spring tides.

Short term loss of power may also occur and locals have been warned to stay away from sea fronts due to the risk of high waves.

A man, a woman, and a young boy have been rescued from the water at Aberdeen beach.

Officers have urged the public not to attend the beach due to the “exceptional” weather, due to the presence of large waves.

North East & Tayside

Man, woman and young boy rescued from water at beach amidst storm

Police Scotland, the Coastguard and the Scottish Ambulance Service successfully rescued the three casualties on Sunday.

Police Scotland have advised motorists to “plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel where possible” before the “strong likelihood” of disruption on roads, while Transport Scotland has warned of likely delays to public transport, including the country’s ferry network.

Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Police Scotland’s Head of Road Policing, said: “The amber warning for high winds means that there is a strong likelihood of disruption on the road network and as such, motorists are advised to plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel where possible.

“Make sure your vehicle has sufficient fuel and is completely roadworthy, with tyre pressure and tread meeting legal requirements. Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged in the event you need to call for assistance and if it is likely you may be within your vehicle for long periods of time, take additional clothing and water with you.

“Please do not ignore any road signage advising of changes to speed or closures to routes. These are in place for your safety and the safety of other road users and listen out for media broadcasts about the weather and how it may be impacting travel.

“Further information of the weather and road closures can be found by visiting the Met Office, Ready Scotland and Traffic Scotland websites and social media accounts.”

The Enchanted Forest has been cancelled for Sunday night as Storm Ashley prompted safety fears.

A spokesperson said: “We are sorry for any inconvenience caused to visitors by this decision but the safety of all our visitors and staff is of the utmost importance.

“All visitors booked to attend tonight will receive communication direct from SEE Tickets within the next 24 hours to enable them to exchange their tickets to an available remaining date for 2024 or a 2025 show date, or in the instance that no dates are suitable, request a refund.

“We are, as yet, unable to confirm if any future dates are cancelled. Please check our website on the morning you are due to attend for updates relating to that day. At the current time tomorrow night’s show, Monday 21st October, will be going ahead as planned.

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