Tens of thousands of customers remain without electricity after Storm Amy swept across the north-east, while parts of the rail network continue to face disruption.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said around 34,000 customers were still off supply as of 8.30pm on Saturday, with almost 50,000 reconnected following extensive restoration work. The operator said hundreds of engineers and tree-cutting teams are clearing routes to reach damaged infrastructure, with repairs resuming from first light on Sunday.
A Met Office yellow warning for wind remains in force until midday on Sunday for the east and north-east, Orkney and Shetland. Forecasters said strong west to north-westerly gusts of 60 to 70 mph are possible in exposed locations during the early hours, easing gradually from the west later in the morning. Wind speeds reached 96 mph in parts of northern Scotland on Saturday, with more than 100 mph recorded in the most exposed areas, and 84.6 mm of rain fell in 24 hours at Cassley.
Travel has been heavily affected. Fallen trees blocked the line north of Aberdeen on Saturday and Network Rail teams have been working to clear debris. ScotRail said services between Aberdeen and the central belt have resumed, as have trains to Inverurie and Huntly, but there are currently no departures to Inverness. The operator warned disruption will continue while safety checks and repairs are completed.
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There will be no services on the Oban to Crianlarich and Fort William to Mallaig sections of the West Highland Line, nor on the Far North routes between Inverness, Wick and Kyle of Lochalsh. Due to infrastructure damage, ScotRail does not expect services to run until early Sunday afternoon on Inverness to Elgin, Glasgow Queen Street to Cumbernauld, Glasgow Queen Street to Alloa, and Glasgow to Wemyss Bay.
SSEN said the severity of the winds had a considerable impact on the electricity network. Nik Wheeler, head of customer operations for the north of Scotland, said every available resource was being directed to reconnection and customer support while essential repairs are carried out.
Ferries and flights have also faced disruption across the weekend, and road users have been urged to drive to the conditions, with police warning of spray, surface water and fallen debris.
