Storm alert for north travellers

Weather: Met Office warns of more fierce wind and rain

Forecasters are warning travellers to prepare for disruption today as the north braces itself for a repeat of the storms which hit yesterday.

Ferry sailings were cancelled and a family had to be rescued by lifeboat after their yacht was driven onto rocks near Oban. Two women in their eighties were injured in a twocar crash at Balloch on the outskirts of Inverness yesterday afternoon.

A severe weather warning for strong winds remains in place across the region today and temperatures are expected to plummet.

Gale- force winds and torrential rain hit many parts of the north yesterday – and forecasters have warned there is worse to come.

Ferry travel on the west coast was badly disrupted, with several sailings cancelled and one passenger boat forced to turn back as the first storm of autumn arrived.

A fierce squall outside Oban Bay led to a family of four onboard a yacht being rescued by a lifeboat crew after their vessel was driven on to rocks.

The high winds and heavy showers also created difficult driving conditions.

Two people had to be taken to hospital after a crash at a flooded junction on the outskirts of Inverness.

The Met Office has warned travellers to be prepared for further disruption today and issued a severe weather warning for wind across the north.

Temperatures in parts of theHighlands are expected to plunge to a chilly 3C as winds reach up to 65mph in exposed areas.

Gales on the west coast wreaked havoc with ferry schedules yesterday and CalMac has warned that passengers hoping to travel today could face similar problems.

South-westerly winds in excess of 57mph forced the CalMac MV Lord of the Isles to abort its sailing to Coll and Tiree, without calling at either island, and head back to Oban.

Sailings b e twe e n Ardrossan and Campbeltown, Mallaig and the Small Isl e s , and the

“The bad weather is expected to continue into tomorrow”

freight service between Ullapool and Stornoway were also cancelled and seven other services were on amber alert for disruption.

A CalMac spokesman said last night: “Ferry services across the network have been badly affected by high winds, with many delayed or cancelled.

“The bad weather is expected to continue into tomorrow and we apologise for any inconvenience and are grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding.”

At Balloch, on the outskirts of Inverness, yesterday afternoon, two women in their eighties were injured in a two-car crash at a flooded junction.

The accident happened at the junction of the A96 and Barn Church Road shortly after 1.15pm.

The women were taken to Raigmore Hospital with chest and seatbelt injuries. The occupants of the other car were unhurt.

Both vehicles were extensively damaged and police directed traffic while the cars were removed, causing lengthy tailbacks.

Photograph: Sandy McCook HAZARD: Police attend a two-car crash at the Balloch junction on the A96, near Inverness, after heavy rain.