Freak tornado leaves trail of destruction on isle

Residents of a tiny Scottish village have told of their disbelief after a freak tornado caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The terrifying whirlwind hurtled through Corrie on the Isle of Arran on Saturday afternoon leaving a trail of destruc- tion. At least eight boats were lifted into the air and smashed by the localised super gust.

The wreckage was strewn across the main road around the island, blocking it for a time.

The vessels, most of them at least half a ton in weight, had been laid up on dry land for the winter to protect them from rough weather.

A children’s playpark also took the full brunt of the blast, but thankfully it was empty.

Taxi owner Brian Deary, who lives less than 200 yards from the scene, said: “I have never seen anything like it.

“All the boats were in pieces – scattered about all over the quay.

“When I arrived it was as if a bomb had hit.

“Five or six were upturned and the bits spread along the nearby children’s play park.”

Barry Mochan, the local community councillor, added: “One of the bigger and heavier boats needed big ten guys to get her upright.

“It had been carried about 50 feet through the air, so the wind at that point must have been incredibly strong.”