Scotland Weather: Three people rescued from vehicles as Scotland battles heavy rain and flood warnings
Heavy rain is due to continue over coming days
Heavy rain has raised flood warnings across Scotland as three people were rescued from their vehicles after becoming trapped by rising water levels on the roads.
An amber Met Office weather warning for rain brought disruption to Angus, Perth and Kinross and Aberdeenshire - with a wider yellow warning in force across parts of north eastern and central Scotland until midnight on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issued 27 flood warning, covering parts of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Angus, Orkney, the Scottish Borders and Tayside.
Seven less-severe flood alerts were also issued.
In Aberdeenshire, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service rescued three people whose vehicles had become trapped due to floodwater.
Two people were taken from a minibus on the B977 near Kintore at around 8.30am on Thursday.
A fire service spokesperson said: “Operations control mobilised one fire appliance and a specialist water rescue unit to the scene.
“Two people were removed from the van by firefighters and taken to a place of safety.
“Crews have now left the area after ensuring it was safe.”
In a separate incident at around the same time near Banchory, one person was rescued from a car.
The spokesperson added: “We were alerted at 8.32am on Thursday to reports of a vehicle in flood water near the B976 in Banchory, Aberdeenshire.
“Operations control mobilised two fire appliances and specialist water rescue units to the area.
“One casualty was removed from the car and guided to a place of safety. They were then checked over at the scene by the Scottish Ambulance Service.”
Bear Scotland has warned of disruption to roads in the affected areas, including on the A85 between Crieff and Lochearnhead in Perthshire, which it says has flooded but is still accessible if drivers use caution.
First Minister John Swinney urged those living in the Perthshire area to take care and listen to travel advice.
Mr Swinney, who is an MSP for the area, said on X: “Weather conditions in Perthshire are very challenging just now. Some roads are closed and the flooding danger is higher. Please be careful and follow advice.”
Meanwhile, the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SgoRR) held a meeting discuss the flooding and how to respond.
Justice secretary Angela Constance, who chaired the meeting, said heavy rain was forecast for many parts of Scotland over coming days.
She said: “Although no significant issues have been reported we are closely monitoring rivers, many of which will peak later today, and our multi-agency response teams stand ready and prepared to respond to any flooding incidents.
“I would urge people to pay attention to flood alerts, weather forecasts and to consider travel updates in their area.”
Network Rail warned the River Tay has risen considerably, and if it worsens services between Pitlochry and Dunkeld and Birnam in Perthshire may be cancelled.
Ferry operator CalMac said many of its services have been cancelled, with the risk of more being subject to delays or cancellation at short notice.
Sepa said on X: “River levels are rising and flooding impacts are likely in parts of Tayside, the Angus hills and south Aberdeenshire, where a Met Office amber warning for rain remains in place throughout today.
“Flooding impacts in these areas is likely with low-lying land, roads, transport infrastructure and properties at risk of flooding.
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