A woman living alone on the Isle of Skye has shared how she handled a power cut caused by Storm Boelo, turning it into a "cosy Sunday" rather than a disruption. Niamh Mackinnon, who describes herself as "isolated" on the island in the Inner Hebrides, posted an Instagram video explaining how she used the outage to her advantage.
Waking Up to No Power
In the video, Niamh said: "There's a huge storm up on the Isle of Skye in the Scottish Highlands right now, and I've woken up to no power and no [phone] service. I live on my own so I'm feeling really isolated today."
She admitted she was being "a little dramatic" because her aunt lives next door, who quickly heated her a coffee on her stove. The lack of power and inability to use her phone actually proved helpful, as she packed her bags for a trip away without distractions.
Family Time and Card Games
"I packed very quickly then me and my auntie braved the weather as the storm had started to calm down so we drove to my mum and dad's," she continued. Even after power returned, the family chose to ignore their devices and played cards instead. "That's my favourite power cut activity," Niamh revealed.
She added: "And then my mum helped me fix some of my knitting - and my dad still managed to make basically a full roast dinner just using the gas hob, so that was a 10 out of 10."
Viewers' Reactions
One follower wrote: "Your day felt so cosy and lovely." A second agreed: "What a wonderful cosy day it sounded like you had. Hope you and your family are okay and no property damage. If the storm is still with you are you able to get away for your trip? If so hope you have a wonderful time."
A third praised: "I love this simple way of life. No unnecessary distractions, no pressure to go out or socialise. Family, life and food." A fourth said: "I can feel the cosiness of this through my screen. I am from Northern Michigan where it looks much like Skye but surrounded by fresh water lakes. I'll be visiting Skye for the first time next week and could not be more excited."
Weather Warning Remains
A yellow weather warning remains in place on the Isle of Skye and its surrounding area until 9pm tonight (October 27). The Met Office advises: "Strong west to southwesterly winds are expected to spread across much of Scotland and fringe the north of Northern Ireland during Tuesday. Gusts of 50-60 mph are possible quite widely and some coastal or exposed areas in the northwest and far north of Scotland could see gusts of 70 mph or more."
There is still some uncertainty regarding the peak gusts, but the highest winds are expected in the far north and northwest and most likely over the Hebrides. The strongest of the winds will reduce from the southwest later on Tuesday, with the far north of Scotland the last to see winds ease.
