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Gale force winds batter parts of Scotland Gale force winds batter parts of Scotland
(about 3 hours later)
Areas of Scotland have been battered by gale force winds which reached almost 90mph in places. Areas of Scotland have been battered by gale force winds, which gusted to almost 90mph in places.
Power has been cut off to several thousand homes, storm surges saw waves crashing over sea walls and high winds caused disruption on roads and bridges. Power was cut off to several thousand homes, storm surges saw waves crashing over sea walls and high winds caused disruption on roads and bridges.
A Met Office weather warning is in force until midnight and flood warnings are in place around coastal areas. Electricity distributor Scottish Hydro said up to 12,000 homes were without power at the height of the storm.
Gusts reached 87mph on the Tay Bridge, 74mph in Glasgow, 71mph on Tiree, 67mph in Oban and 53mph in Edinburgh. It said about 3,000 properties, mainly in the Argyll and west region, remained without power at 23:00 on Wednesday.
Scottish Hydro said several thousand people were without electricity in Argyll and the west, while Scottish Power said about 400 homes in Largs, Lanarkshire and Dumfries had no power. However, 100 engineers were working on faults to the network.
Engineers are working to restore supplies. Samantha O'Connor, from Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution, said: "We would like to thank customers for their patience whilst our engineers carry out essential repairs to our network.
Drivers have also been urged to exercise caution and ferry services have been hit by cancellations. "Excellent progress has been made throughout the day to restore supplies. We expect to have most customers back on this evening, however, we have contacted those who may remain off over night.
Network Rail Scotland said it was managing to keep lines running well despite appalling weather conditions but advised passengers to check before travelling. "We have drafted in extra engineers to assist and are doing everything we can to keep the lights on."
Scottish Power said about 400 homes in Largs, Lanarkshire and Dumfries had no power on Wednesday evening.
Engineers were working to restore supplies.
Network Rail Scotland said it had managed to keep lines running well despite appalling weather conditions.
There were restrictions on the vehicles which could use the Forth, Tay, Skye and Erskine Bridges.There were restrictions on the vehicles which could use the Forth, Tay, Skye and Erskine Bridges.
Edinburgh Castle was closed to visitors and the ice rink, funfair and big wheel were shut in Glasgow's George Square.Edinburgh Castle was closed to visitors and the ice rink, funfair and big wheel were shut in Glasgow's George Square.
Meanwhile, Motherwell's SPL game against Dunfermline has been postponed for safety reasons after Fir Park stadium suffered structural damage. Meanwhile, Motherwell's SPL game against Dunfermline was postponed for safety reasons after Fir Park stadium suffered structural damage.
There was concern the Celtic-Rangers Old Firm derby could be affected after reports a sign came loose in high winds. There was also concern for the Celtic-Rangers Old Firm derby after a sign came loose in high winds, but the game went ahead.
Power warning The Met Office had issued an amber warning for high winds across the country and gusts were recorded at 87mph on the Tay Bridge, 74mph in Glasgow, 71mph on Tiree, 67mph in Oban and 53mph in Edinburgh.
Transport Minister Keith Brown told BBC Scotland: "The main problem, especially with high wind, is debris and trees falling on to power lines, and that can be a major problem.
"But we seem to be coping extremely well with that and let's hope we don't have too many more people cut off from supply over the next few days."
He said it was "very hard" for the power companies to prevent disruption caused by the windy weather, adding: "What they have to do is make sure they can respond to it as quickly as possible."
For most areas, the strongest winds hit from late morning and through the afternoon, although the eastern Highlands and north-east Scotland were warned that strongest winds could be during the evening.