Fierce winds disrupt travel across Scotland

Major road closed as ferry sailings cancelled and electricity firms on standby.

Strong winds and rain are causing travel disruption across Scotland.

The A1 was closed at 5am between Haddington and Thistly Cross in East Lothian due to high winds expected on the route.

However, two lorries overturned on the road around midday, with Traffic Scotland saying some drivers were ignoring restrictions.

A host of ferry services have been cancelled, while speed restrictions may be brought in on the rail network.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for wind in parts of Scotland between 5am and 9pm on Tuesday.

It said that gusts of 50-60mph were likely and warned of wind speeds of 70-75mph around some of the most exposed coastal and upland sites.

The warning covers the Highlands, Moray, Fife, Falkirk, south-west Scotland, Lothian and Borders and parts of Strathclyde.

STV Weather presenter Sean Batty said he was forecasting severe gales in the more exposed parts of the north-west.

He added: “Winds are likely to gust 60-70mph across the Western Isles.”

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said it was “prepared for a period of unsettled weather”.

It warned the electricity network could be affected in the north of Scotland on Tuesday and Wednesday.

A host of CalMac ferry sailings have been cancelled, including the route between Gourock and Dunoon and Ullapool and Stornoway.

Network Rail was monitoring conditions and that speed restrictions could be brought in if wind speeds top 70mph.

In Edinburgh, St Andrew Square Gardens and part of Princes Street Gardens were closed.

A diversion via the A199 has been put in place for motorists on the A1, with drivers advised to plan ahead.

Last month, a police officer had to request the closure of the road after a lorry toppled over on to his patrol car during high winds.

The static police vehicle was “carrying out scene protection” after another lorry had toppled over between the two carriageways of the A1 between Haddington and Dunbar at around 10.15am on December 10.

No one was seriously injured in the incident.

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