Thunderstorms caused widespread travel disruption across Scotland on Friday, June 26, as flash flooding closed roads and schools, while train services were cancelled due to damaged overhead power lines. Edinburgh Airport also experienced flight cancellations and diversions after the Met Office recorded more than 100,000 lightning strikes across the country overnight.
Schools and Roads Closed
Crossgates Primary School in Fife was forced to close, and several roads were shut due to flooding. Traffic Scotland reported that the M90 southbound off-slip at J1C to the Admiralty Roundabout remained closed. The Met Office issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms, which remained in effect for the rest of the day.
Train Services Disrupted
Rail passengers faced significant delays after damage to overhead power cables halted services from Glasgow Central, Scotland's busiest railway station. Services to East Kilbride, Barrhead, Neilston, Newton, Cathcart, and Kilmarnock were cancelled until at least 5pm as engineers carried out repairs. Images from the scene at Muirhouse in Glasgow showed broken cantilevers and overhead wires hanging low near a stopped train. It was not immediately clear whether the damage was weather-related or deliberate.
Two trains on the morning commute became stuck between stations after encountering the broken lines, leaving passengers unable to alight. Rail providers later confirmed that those affected were able to continue their journeys.
Network Rail and ScotRail Responses
Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, apologised for the disruption, stating: “We’re really sorry for the disruption this has caused people trying to travel today. While the cause of the power loss is still being investigated, our teams are on site working through what needs to be done to get things back up and running.”
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, added: “We’re sorry to customers who have experienced disruption to their journey today as a result of the overhead line fault at Muirhouse. Network Rail engineers are working hard to restore power and return services to normal as quickly as possible. Customers who have been impacted by the disruption can claim compensation. Just keep hold of your train ticket and claim through the Delay Repay Guarantee on the ScotRail website or app.”
Airport and Weather Impact
Edinburgh Airport was also affected, with flights cancelled or diverted due to severe thunderstorms in the local and surrounding airspace. A spokesperson for Edinburgh Airport said: “Air traffic services at Edinburgh Airport are managing the impacts from earlier disruption due to severe thunderstorms in the local and surrounding airspace. This situation has improved from the worst of the weather this morning but it likely this will have knock-on impacts throughout the day and passengers are advised to contact their airline for the latest travel information.”
