High Winds To Batter Scotland

High winds expected to batter parts of Scotland this week and wintry conditions could cause disruption to travel and power supplies, forecasters have warned.

A Met Office ''be aware'' alert is in place today until Thursday morning, with the potential for gusts of up to 80mph in exposed north-western areas.

The winds are expected to whip up unusually high waves, with spray and over-topping bringing a risk of flooding to coastal roads and causeways.

Liam Colquhoun from the Coastguard spoke to our Reporter Linda Sinclair:

Sean Penston, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: ''Wednesday is probably going to be the windiest day, with gale-force westerly winds and up to 60mph gusts.

''In the north-west it could get up to 70-80mph, accompanied by heavy showers, often wintry and falling as snow on high ground.''

Drivers were warned to take extra care on freezing roads yesterday as police dealt with a spate of accidents.

Emergency services dealt with several crashes in north Dumfries and Galloway, including a fatal accident on the A76.

Zoe Clark, 24, from Carronbridge, Thornhill, died after the Vauxhall Corsa she was driving collided with an ambulance about five miles south of Mennock, near Sanquhar, at about 8.40am on Monday.

A woman in the back of the ambulance was being transported to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary accompanied by her husband, after being involved in an earlier crash further north on the same road. Both were taken to hospital with minor injuries after the second crash.

The driver of the ambulance also sustained minor injuries while a second crew member was treated for a head injury.

Police Scotland said it was too early to say whether freezing conditions had contributed to the accident but drivers were advised to avoid the area.

There were also several incidents on the A74 near Moffat and Beattock.

Elsewhere, snow-affected routes included the A9 at Drumochter, the A85 at Glen Ogle and the A93 between Ballater and Glenshee yesterday morning.

Icy conditions were also reported on the M8 as well as on many routes across the Highlands, Western Isles and north-east of Scotland.