This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-35427984

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Storm Gertrude: Red warning issued as Scotland battered Storm Gertrude: Red warning issued as Scotland battered
(about 1 hour later)
Severe weather warnings are in place for parts of Scotland as Storm Gertrude batters the country.Severe weather warnings are in place for parts of Scotland as Storm Gertrude batters the country.
A rare red warning, meaning danger to life, has been issued for Shetland from 12:00 until 16:00 and gusts of 90mph have been recorded in South Uist.A rare red warning, meaning danger to life, has been issued for Shetland from 12:00 until 16:00 and gusts of 90mph have been recorded in South Uist.
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.Northern Ireland has also been hit, with 70mph gales bringing down trees and damaging power lines.
In Edinburgh, a man has been knocked down by flying debris and is currently being treated for head injuries at Edinburgh Royal infirmary.In Edinburgh, a man has been knocked down by flying debris and is currently being treated for head injuries at Edinburgh Royal infirmary.
Overhead wire issues on the line at Alnmouth in the north of England have resulted in rail delays between Newcastle and Edinburgh. Overhead wire issues on the line at Alnmouth in the north of England have resulted in major rail disruption between Newcastle and Edinburgh.
Winds of up to 100mph are expected in Shetland later and winds of 144mph have been recorded at the CairnGorms summit. Winds of up to 100mph are expected in Shetland later and speeds of 144mph have been recorded at the CairnGorms summit.
The Met Office has issued amber "be prepared" and yellow "be aware" warnings for other areas of 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 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.
At the scene of a landslide at Letterfinlay, the A82 is now passable with care. A landslide closed the A82, between Spean Bridge and Invergarry for a while, leading to a 154-mile diversion.
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. The A82 is now passable with care.
An HGV 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.
Check out the latest travel news for ScotlandCheck out the latest travel news for Scotland
For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents and roadworks on the motorways here.For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents and roadworks on the motorways here.
Around the country you can check for updates from:Around the country you can check for updates from:
Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Scotland and follow @BBCTravelScot.Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Scotland and follow @BBCTravelScot.
In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources.In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources.
Below are a number of other traffic information sources.Below are a number of other traffic information sources.
Drivers also had to avoid a trampoline blown on to the Newtonhill flyover near the A90 in Aberdeen at about 06:00.Drivers also had to avoid a trampoline blown on to the Newtonhill flyover near the A90 in Aberdeen at about 06:00.
A tree fell onto the roof of a bus on Corstorphine Road in Edinburgh, although no injuries were reported. Trees have also fallen on roads around the country. A tree fell on to the roof of a bus on Corstorphine Road in Edinburgh, although no injuries were reported. Trees have also fallen on roads around the country.
A landslide closed the A82, between Spean Bridge and Invergarry for a while, leading to a 154-mile diversion.
Power lostPower lost
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. Scottish Hydro said 7,000 homes across the north of Scotland had 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. In Tayside, a curtain-sided lorry blew over on the A90 between Glamis and Forfar shortly before 07:30. Firefighters said the driver managed to get out of the vehicle before they arrived.
Winds of 87mph have been recorded in Inverbervie, 80mph in Dundee and a gust of 132mph was recorded at Cairngorm summit.
The Met Office said the amber warning for wind across Shetland will later be upgraded to red, with gusts of 100mph expected.
The Broomielaw in Glasgow has been closed due to an unsafe building between Brown Street 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 in Glasgow's Renfield Street and West Regent Street. Police Scotland also responded to reports of storm damage in Glasgow's Renfield Street and West Regent Street.
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.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 mainly affect 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.
Trains cancelled
ScotRail has cancelled the following services:
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.
Gale or severe gale force winds have also been forecast for Monday.Gale or severe gale force winds have also been forecast for Monday.
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.
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."
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.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below