Scotland weather: Scotland braces for further disruption as new wind warning follows Storm Boelo

The Met Office warning came info force at 3am and will run until 9pm, with further disruption expected on the railways and electricity networks.

Storm Boelo brought gusts of up to 80mph, power cuts and travel problems after yellow and amber wind warnings were issued across the country. Several schools were also closed.

The Scottish Government Resilience Room met on Monday to discuss the situation. Scotland’s Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, who chaired the meeting, warned that trees and buildings weakened during the weekend could be particularly at risk.

She said: “More high winds, rain and coastal flooding is forecast today and into tomorrow, and it is important to note that buildings and trees that were weakened over the weekend will be particularly vulnerable.

“I would urge the public to continue to check their local weather forecast and follow the advice of the Met Office, Sepa and the police to ensure they stay safe.”

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued an amber flood risk for the Western Isles, Caithness and Sutherland and the Northern Isles because high tides and large waves are considered likely.

All schools in the Western Isles will be closed to pupils on Tuesday, Western Isles Council said, because high winds are forecast during the school commute.

ScotRail said most of its services were operating on Monday morning but warned passengers to prepare for further disruption on Tuesday. Network Rail has confirmed that speed restrictions will be imposed on some routes.

ScotRail service delivery director Mark Ilderton said: “Safety is always our top priority, and with more strong winds and heavy rain across Scotland on Tuesday, we’re asking customers to plan ahead and check their journey before travel.

“As a precautionary measure, some routes will have speed restrictions in place.

“These are essential to keep everyone safe but will mean some services may be delayed or altered at short notice.

“We’ll be working closely with Network Rail throughout, and our teams will do everything possible to keep people moving where it’s safe to do so.”

Network Rail had said most services would return to normal on Monday, although passengers were advised to check their journeys online before travelling.

Around 25,000 Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) customers remained without electricity on Monday morning, while supplies had been restored to around 70,000.

SP Energy Networks said more than 50,000 homes had been reconnected following the storm. At 9pm on Monday, more than 300 homes remained without power, although they were expected to be reconnected by 2am on Tuesday.

Aileen Rourke, distribution licence director for SP Energy Networks, said: “We continue to work through this evening and to prepare the network for further high winds expected through the night.”

The renewed warnings came as tributes were paid to Richard Baines, 60, curator at Logan Botanic Garden, who died after being struck by a tree in Dumfries and Galloway during Storm Boelo.

The garden, south of Stranraer, is one of the regional gardens of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

David Knott, director of horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said Mr Baines had been responsible for significant developments at Logan, including the UK’s first public conservatory powered by green energy.

During his tenure, Logan was voted the UK’s best garden by Which? in 2021, became the first garden in Scotland to receive gold in the Green Business Tourism award and installed electric vehicle charging points. It was also awarded five-star visitor attraction status by VisitScotland.

Mr Baines expanded Logan’s plant collection and took part in and led fieldwork in China, the Canary Islands and Vietnam. Seven plant species from that work are currently being published as new to science.

Mr Knott said: “Richard’s contribution as an enthusiastic plantsman and curator at Logan and to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s wider work and culture, has been immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed by many.”