Travel disruption as Storm Floris set to batter Scotland with 85mph winds

Key Points

Storm Floris to bring gusts of up to 85mph throughout Monday
Trains and ferries cancelled with routes to close at noon
Amber warning covers most of Scotland from 10am until 10pm
Edinburgh Military Tattoo event cancelled due to heavy wind and rain
Public urged to stay indoors ‘as much as possible’ due to risk of injury

Scotland is being braced for “unseasonably” strong winds as an amber weather warning comes into force during Storm Floris.

Amber warnings have been issued for much of the country, lasting from 10am to 10pm.

Gusts of 50 to 70mph have been forecast for many parts and are likely to reach 80 to 90mph on some exposed coasts, hills, and bridges.

Heavy rain is also forecast for some areas.

The forecaster has urged the public to stay indoors “as much as possible” with high winds creating a risk of injury.

Scotland

Train services to finish early as Storm Floris brings strong winds and heavy rain

An amber weather warning comes into force from 10am with fears strong winds could bring down trees and blow other debris onto train tracks.

Trains and ferries have already been cancelled, with Network Rail set to close a number of routes at 12pm on Monday.

Scottish ferry operator CalMac has issued a series of cancellation warnings ahead of the storm.

“Disruption to sailings is expected across our network on Monday August 4 due to forecasted strong winds across parts of Scotland’s west coast,” it posted on X.

All other routes will see a reduced timetable and longer journey times due to speed restrictions.

Edinburgh – Fife/Perth/Dundee, Perth – Dundee/Aberdeen/Inverness, and Inverness – Aberdeen/Wick/Thurso/Kyle of Lochalshare are among a number of lines that will close from noon.

Train operator LNER has warned passengers not to travel north of Newcastle on Monday as a result of the forecast.

Those intending to travel on Monday can do so on Sunday, the operator said, with tickets also being valid until Wednesday.

Avanti West Coast advised passengers not to travel north of Preston on Monday as it expects its Scottish-English routes to be “heavily affected” by Storm Floris.

The operator said services are likely to be impacted in Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Haymarket, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh.

Tickets dated for Monday for these areas will be accepted on Sunday and Tuesday, it added.

Network Rail engineers responded to a loss of power at Hamilton around 7am on Monday, with services between Blantyre affected.

Elsewhere, motorists have been urged to slow down in poor weather and avoid exposed Highland and coastal routes.

Rod Dennis, of the RAC breakdown service, said: “This unseasonable bout of stormy weather will mean drivers in the north and west of the UK need to take extra care at the start of next week.

“It’s the height of the holiday season, so those towing trailers and caravans, as well as those with roof and tent boxes, must ensure their loads are properly secured.”

Edinburgh’s Military Tattoo performance set for Monday has also been cancelled, organisers said.

Public urged to plan ahead

Cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop said: “Key partners have met to discuss preparations for next week and conditions will be monitored over the weekend and into next week.

“Given the unusual timing and the fact that some people will be on holiday, travelling or perhaps unaware, we are trying to raise even more awareness than usual of this potentially disruptive storm.

“Please check with operators as we do expect rail, ferries, roads and bridges to be disrupted on Monday across the country.

“This is a slightly unusual situation for August, however, the message is the same as winter – plan ahead, check your journey in advance, allow extra time, and don’t take any unnecessary risks. Officials will be monitoring the situation and are ready to stand up the Multi-Agency Response Team, if required.

“I am grateful to those who are giving up their weekend and time off to help co-ordinate the transport sector’s response. Traffic Scotland, Police Scotland, SEPA, local authorities and others will communicate any closures to the public and provide real-time updates.”

Where does the amber warning cover?

• Highlands & Eilean Siar (Highland, Na h-Eileanan Siar)

• Central, Tayside & Fife (Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling)

• Grampian (Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray)

• SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian)

• Strathclyde (Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire)