High winds cause chaos across Tayside and Fife

Trail of damage as speeds reach 70mph

High winds left a trail of damage across Tayside and Fife yesterday.

Winds of speeds up to 70mph tore across the east of Scotland.

The Met Office issued a yellow, be aware, weather warning for the day with stronger gusts due to hit the north of the country last night.

Gusts of 68mph were recorded on the Tay Road Bridge yesterday morning as commuters endured a difficult start to the working week.

Restrictions were put in place as a result, with high-sided vehicles banned and the speed limit reduced to 30mph.

There were also headaches for drivers travelling to Dundee from Fife when the wind toppled a tree on to the A914 between Drumoig and St Michaels.

Traffic, including buses, was diverted as a result.

In Dundee, the high winds were also blamed for masonry falling off buildings on Reform Street.

The pavement in front of two empty shops was cordoned off as a result of the falling stonework.

A Met Office spokesman said the wind should ease off into this morning.

“It will stay quite windy later but we will not see as strong winds as we had earlier,” he said.

“Higher winds will continue over the more northern parts of Scotland and the Northern Isles.”

An overturned lorry, thought to be weather-related, forced the closure of the A1 northbound in East Lothian, while the gales also caused the flagpole at Edinburgh Castle to snap.

East Scotland is expected to experience winds for most of this week.

Gusts of more than 30mph are expected each day although they are expected to subside by the weekend.

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. The conditions at Broughty Ferry yesterday made for a bracing walk.