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Scotland battered by Storm Gertrude, with 90mph gusts recorded Scotland battered by Storm Gertrude, with 90mph gusts recorded
(35 minutes later)
Gusts of 90mph have been recorded in South Uist as Storm Gertrude batters Scotland, causing travel disruption.Gusts of 90mph have been recorded in South Uist as Storm Gertrude batters Scotland, causing travel disruption.
A landslide has closed the A82, between Spean Bridge and Invergarry, resulting in a 154-mile diversion. A landslide closed the A82, between Spean Bridge and Invergarry for a while, leading to a 154-mile diversion.
Schools have been shut, homes have lost power, trains and ferries have been cancelled and bridges have been closed.Schools have been shut, homes have lost power, trains and ferries have been cancelled and bridges have been closed.
Northern Ireland has also been hit, with 70mph gales bringing down trees and damaging power lines. Some roads have been closed.Northern Ireland has also been hit, with 70mph gales bringing down trees and damaging power lines. Some roads have been closed.
The Met Office has issued amber "be prepared" and yellow "be aware" warnings for Scotland and large parts of the rest of the UK.The Met Office has issued amber "be prepared" and yellow "be aware" warnings for Scotland and large parts of the rest of the UK.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued more than 40 flood warnings, covering areas across Scotland.
The Forth Road Bridge and Tay Road Bridge are closed to all traffic, but the Kessock Bridge has now reopened to cars. The Skye and Erskine Bridges are closed to high-sided vehicles.The Forth Road Bridge and Tay Road Bridge are closed to all traffic, but the Kessock Bridge has now reopened to cars. The Skye and Erskine Bridges are closed to high-sided vehicles.
The landslide at Letterfinlay is affecting people travelling between Fort William and Inverness. At the scene of the landslide at Letterfinlay, the A82 is now passable with care.
An HGV has overturned on the M9 at Craigforth, just outside Stirling. An HGV has overturned on the M9 at Craigforth, just outside Stirling and the emergency services were called out to two lorries blown over on the A96 near Huntly and on the M9 near Dunblane in the early hours.
Drivers also had to avoid a trampoline blown on to the Newtonhill flyover near the A90 in Aberdeen at about 06:00.
A number of roads have been affected by fallen trees.
Power lostPower lost
Scottish Hydro said 1,800 homes across the north of Scotland have lost electricity supplies. Scottish Hydro said 7,000 homes across the north of Scotland have lost electricity supplies and parts of West Calder were without power for a while.
Two amber warnings for high winds are in place, with gusts expected to reach their peak around mid-morning.Two amber warnings for high winds are in place, with gusts expected to reach their peak around mid-morning.
Winds of 87mph have been recorded in Inverbervie, 80mph in Dundee and a gust of 132mph was recorded at Cairngorm summit.Winds of 87mph have been recorded in Inverbervie, 80mph in Dundee and a gust of 132mph was recorded at Cairngorm summit.
Police Scotland said they were responding to reports of storm damage in Glasgow city centre in Renfield Street, West Regent Street, Broomielaw and York Street. The Broomielaw in Glasgow has been closed due to an unsafe building between Brown Street and York Street.
And Police Scotland said they were also responding to reports of storm damage Glasgow's Renfield Street and West Regent Street.
The force warned that streets and footpaths could be closed as a result.The force warned that streets and footpaths could be closed as a result.
Part of the roof of the Apex Hotel in Dundee has blown out.
ScotRail has announced a raft of train cancellations and reduced services for Friday. One in 10 services have been cancelled.ScotRail has announced a raft of train cancellations and reduced services for Friday. One in 10 services have been cancelled.
No trains will run north of Inverness, or from Perth to Inverness, until late afternoon and there will be no trains from Glasgow to Oban, Fort William and Mallaig until then either.No trains will run north of Inverness, or from Perth to Inverness, until late afternoon and there will be no trains from Glasgow to Oban, Fort William and Mallaig until then either.
Services to Stranraer and the Clyde Coast will be disrupted and Glasgow to Edinburgh trains will be half-hourly.Services to Stranraer and the Clyde Coast will be disrupted and Glasgow to Edinburgh trains will be half-hourly.
Hundreds of engineers will be deployed across the network to inspect lines, repair damage and reopen routes as quickly as possible.
Phil Verster, ScotRail Alliance managing director, said: "We will be withdrawing some services until the worst of the storm has passed.
"The safety of our passengers and workforce is our top priority and we cannot run services on these lines until our engineers have thoroughly inspected the network for any damage."
The severe gales are expected to cause most impact along the west coast of Scotland.The severe gales are expected to cause most impact along the west coast of Scotland.
West coast ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has also warned of disruption to its services. All 26 routes have been affected either by cancellations or delays.West coast ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has also warned of disruption to its services. All 26 routes have been affected either by cancellations or delays.
All schools on the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland are closed along with a number of schools in the Highlands.All schools on the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland are closed along with a number of schools in the Highlands.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued flood alerts and flood warnings raising awareness of the potential risk of flooding for Argyll, Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Easter Ross and Tayside.
The first amber warning issued covers western, central and parts of eastern Scotland and includes a forecast of winds gusting to 60mph or 70mph across wide areas and to 80mph on exposed coasts.
The wind speeds have been forecast to reduce during Friday afternoon.
An amber warning for winds gusting to 90mph has been issued for the Northern Isles. The conditions in Orkney and Shetland are not expected to ease until 17:00.
Trains cancelledTrains cancelled
ScotRail has cancelled the following services:ScotRail has cancelled the following services:
Other ScotRail changes:Other ScotRail changes:
The Met Office has also issued a yellow warning of rain falling to 40mm-60mm over western Scotland and north of central Scotland on Friday.The Met Office has also issued a yellow warning of rain falling to 40mm-60mm over western Scotland and north of central Scotland on Friday.
A separate yellow warning of snow and freezing temperatures covers from 21:00 on Friday to 15:00 on Saturday.A separate yellow warning of snow and freezing temperatures covers from 21:00 on Friday to 15:00 on Saturday.
The Met Office said: "Showers, frequent and heavy at times, will turn increasingly to snow through Friday evening. Gale or severe gale force winds have also been forecast for Monday.
"The heaviest snow showers are most likely to the north of the central belt of Scotland. Here, away from the immediate coast, around five to 10cm of snow could accumulate through Friday night and Saturday morning.
"Elsewhere, snow accumulations will be more localised, around 1cm to 3 cm is possible and primarily above 200m. Road surface temperatures are expected to fall below freezing overnight into Saturday morning, leading to a risk of icy patches forming."
Gale or severe gale force winds have also been forecast for Monday, according to the Met Office.
Meanwhile, out at sea, charts produced by surfers' website Magicseaweed.com forecast swells of up to 48ft (14m) to the west and north of Scotland.Meanwhile, out at sea, charts produced by surfers' website Magicseaweed.com forecast swells of up to 48ft (14m) to the west and north of Scotland.
Scottish Borders Council said it had begun planning for potential flooding in its area.Scottish Borders Council said it had begun planning for potential flooding in its area.
Jim Fraser, the council's emergency planning officer, said: "Given the number and content of the weather warnings issued, and the current ground conditions, we are preparing for a significant and extended weather event across the region. Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: "We are in regular contact with the transport operators regarding the situation. They do not take the decision to cancel services lightly, but safety is paramount."
"The council and partner agencies are doing our very best to plan for the potential impacts of Storm Gertrude and would urge residents to make sure they are fully aware of the forecasts and take all necessary steps to prepare themselves.
"Travel disruption is almost inevitable given the weather forecast we have been provided with and it may well be that Police Scotland advise during the upcoming days that travel should only be undertaken if absolutely necessary."
'High risk'
Western Isles Council - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - has warned islanders to prepare for bad weather. All schools on the islands will be closed on Friday.
Transport Minister Derek Mackay said "some very difficult weather conditions" have been forecast.
He said: "Winds of this severity bring a high risk of disruption, leading to cancelled ferries, train services and restrictions or closures on bridges. The gale force winds will also make high-sided vehicles particularly prone to being blown over.
"We are in regular contact with the transport operators regarding the situation. They do not take the decision to cancel services lightly, but safety is paramount."
Mr Mackay added: "Before heading out, people need to consider the conditions. They should listen to radio reports, visit the Traffic Scotland website or twitter feed and take note of the latest police advice."
Have you been affected by Storm Gertrude? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by Storm Gertrude? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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