Gales To Batter Scotland

Parts of the country could be hit by severe gales today, forecasters have warned.

The Met Office has issued yellow be aware'' warning with gusts of 70 to 80 mph likely in exposed parts of western and northern Scotland and 60-70 mph gusts possible elsewhere.

Periods of heavy rain are also forecast, while large waves will develop around coasts, especially in the west and north.

The yellow warning of wind covers Orkney and Shetland, the Highlands and Western Isles, Strathclyde, Grampian, Central, Tayside, Fife, South West Scotland and Lothian and Borders and is in place until 5am today.

People have been warned that the weather may cause disruption, particularly to transport and power supplies.

The weather affected some rail and ferry services yesterday.

Many of ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne's sailings faced disruption or cancellation as a result of the adverse weather, according to its website.

Meanwhile train operator ScotRail announced the suspension of a few evening services on some, primarily coastal routes due to the weather warning.

Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: This kind of disruption is not uncommon at this time of year.

All operators are actively informing their customers through notifications on their websites, emails, text messages and direct contact of disruption and cancellations to services.

However the weather is likely to improve later on today.

Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: Through the morning the conditions will ease up but it's still going to be quite blustery and there will still be some showers around.

By the time you get through to mid morning and lunch time most of the showers will have dried up and it will be quite a dry afternoon with some sunshine and breaks in the cloud.''