Further disruption expected in Scotland as fresh weather warning in place

Authorities have warned that further disruption is to be expected as a fresh weather warning comes into place across Scotland after Storm Boelo. The Met Office has advised that a yellow warning for wind will be in place across most of Scotland from 3am on Tuesday until 9pm. The new weather warning follows Storm Boelo, which battered Scotland with 80mph gusts and caused a tree to fall on a man in Dumfries and Galloway. The storm, which sparked yellow and amber weather warnings for wind across the country, resulted in power outages and travel disruption.

Thousands of people remained without power on Monday and several schools were shut following the storm. Major train providers have warned that disruption could continue on Tuesday. On Monday tributes were paid to Richard Baines, 60, curator at Logan Botanic Garden, who died after being hit by a tree in Dumfries and Galloway during Storm Boelo. Logan Botanic Garden, south of Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway, is a regional garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, whose director paid tribute to Mr Baines.

David Knott, director of horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said he was an “enthusiastic plantsman” and will be “deeply missed by many”. He said: “He was primarily responsible for a number of significant developments and initiatives at Logan including the first ‘all green’ public conservatory powered by green energy in the UK. “During his tenure, Logan also successfully gained a number of accolades including being voted the best garden in the UK by Which? in 2021.

Flood water on the A8 in Port Glasgow (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Wire “Logan was also the first garden in Scotland to gain gold for Green Business Tourism award and install vehicle electric charging points, culminating in Logan being awarded 5-Star status as a visitor attraction by VisitScotland. “It will, however, be for his passion and enthusiasm for plants that he will be remembered through significantly increasing and expanding the plant collection at Logan, participating and leading fieldwork in China, Canary Islands and Vietnam from which seven plant species are currently being published that are new to science.

“Richard’s contribution as an enthusiastic plantsman and curator at Logan and to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s wider work and culture, has been immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed by many.” On Monday morning, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said around 25,000 customers remained without power, while around 70,000 had been reconnected. SP Energy Networks said that as of 9pm more than 300 homes still remained without power but were expected to be connected by 2am on Tuesday.

Engineers have restored power to more than 50,000 homes after Storm Boelo. “We continue to work through this evening and to prepare the network for further high winds expected through the night,” said Aileen Rourke, distribution licence director for SP Energy Networks. Western Isles Council said that all schools in the Western Isles will be closed to pupils on Tuesday as high winds are forecast at the time of the school commute. On the railways, Network Rail said most train services would return to normal on Monday but passengers were urged to check their journeys online before they tried to travel.

ScotRail said that the “vast majority” of services were running on Monday morning but warned people to expect disruption on Tuesday. It said that Network Rail has confirmed that some routes will operate with speed restrictions on Tuesday. Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said: “Safety is always our top priority, and with more strong winds and heavy rain across Scotland on Tuesday, we’re asking customers to plan ahead and check their journey before travel.

“As a precautionary measure, some routes will have speed restrictions in place. “These are essential to keep everyone safe but will mean some services may be delayed or altered at short notice. “We’ll be working closely with Network Rail throughout, and our teams will do everything possible to keep people moving where it’s safe to do so.” The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued an amber risk of flooding in the Western Isles, Caithness and Sutherland and the Northern Isles because of the likelihood of high tides and large waves.

The Scottish Government Resilience Room met on Monday to discuss the situation. Scotland’s Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, who chaired the meeting, said: “More high winds, rain and coastal flooding is forecast today and into tomorrow, and it is important to note that buildings and trees that were weakened over the weekend will be particularly vulnerable. “I would urge the public to continue to check their local weather forecast and follow the advice of the Met Office, Sepa and the police to ensure they stay safe.”