Severe windy weather has thrown travel plans for many living on Scotland's islands and coastal areas completely off course, as ferries and flights faced significant cancellations this past Sunday.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind extending until 9pm Sunday, affecting all of Scotland and regions south of the border. This warning is accompanied by another yellow warning for ice, set to take effect from 9pm Sunday until 10am Monday.
With gusts reaching up to 82mph registered at Kirkwall on Orkney and South Uist in the Outer Hebrides, conditions proved too dangerous for travel. The weather led Loganair to cancel multiple flights from Glasgow Airport to the Hebridean islands and saw 18 ferry routes operated by CalMac facing the axe.
CalMac canceled all sailings on its Troon to Brodick service, integral for connecting Ayrshire with the Isle of Arran, citing strong winds with gusts peaking at 60mph. The operator indicated they were reviewing other routes, including the possibility of maintaining the 7.20pm sailing on the Oban to Craignure route, yet all other sailings were scrapped due to unsafe conditions.
The ferry operator noted, "strong winds and sea swell" compelled the cancellations, particularly impacting the 6pm ferry from Oban. Farmers faced additional challenges, as plans to transport livestock on scheduled sailings to Tiree and Coll also fell victim to the weather.
Meanwhile, Western Ferries, responsible for services between Hunter’s Quay, Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, and Gourock, Inverclyde, suspended all operations due to the severe wind. Stena Line's Cairnryan to Belfast route saw all sailings canceled, except for the 11.30pm departure, which remained listed as "in doubt."
Loganair's cancellations extended to flights destined for Barra, the Isle of Lewis, Benbecula, Islay, and Tiree, significantly disrupting travel plans for many residents. Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud remarked there could be gusts up to 75mph on Sunday.
Stroud also warned, "There will continue to be more challenging travel conditions, with coastal areas seeing around 50 to 60mph winds," advising travelers to exercise caution and preparedness due to the adverse weather.
Travelers venturing on Sunday faced the plight of icy conditions as temperatures dropped, prompting the Met Office to highlight the risk of icy patches forming as the winds eased by evening. Stroud cautioned again, stating, "My advice for people traveling today and tonight is to take it easy, particularly in the north and east.”
The impact of this weather on both air and ferry services across Scotland serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of winter weather. The residents on these islands and coastal communities were left grappling with unexpected travel constraints, awaiting improvements as weather warnings begin to lift.
