Around 25,000 customers are still without electricity and numerous schools remain shut in the aftermath of Storm Boelo, which brought 80mph gusts to Scotland and claimed at least one life. A 60-year-old man died when a tree fell on him in Dumfries and Galloway on Sunday, as yellow and amber weather warnings for wind were in force across the country.
Power restoration efforts continue
By Monday morning, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) confirmed that approximately 25,000 customers were still without power, while around 70,000 had already been reconnected. An SSEN spokesperson said: "We've now restored power to two-thirds of customers impacted by Storm Boelo, and our focus today is firmly on reconnecting those who remain without supply."
"Our teams have been out from first light, assessing damage, carrying out repairs and working through faults as quickly and safely as conditions allow. We know how difficult it is to be without power and we're doing everything we can to restore supplies to the remaining 25,000 customers. We thank customers for their patience while our teams work as quickly and safely as possible to reconnect everyone."
SP Energy Networks reported at 7.45pm on Sunday that roughly 4,500 customers remained without electricity.
School closures across Scotland
In Aberdeenshire, primary schools were forced to close on Monday due to power outages, while Ellon Academy shut its doors following storm damage. More primary schools were closed across the Highlands. The full list of closures includes:
- Aberdeenshire: Cluny School, Craigievar School, Ellon Academy, Fettercairn School, Fraserburgh Academy (partial closure for S1–S3 pupils), Hatton Fintray School, Newtonhill School, Strathdon School, Tough School, Towie School.
- Delayed openings (10am): Ballogie Nursery, Chapel of Garioch School, Finzean School, Inverallochy School, Lochpots School, St Combs School.
- Highlands: Applecross Primary, Applecross Primary Nursery, Bonar Bridge Primary, Bonar Bridge Primary Nursery.
- Moray: Rothiemay Primary School.
- Perth and Kinross: Kenmore Primary School, Glenlyon Primary School, Kettins Primary School.
- Stirling: Dunblane Primary School (unsafe roof).
Transport disruption and warnings
Network Rail announced that the majority of train services would resume as normal on Monday, though passengers were advised to check their journeys online before setting off. ScotRail confirmed that the "vast majority" of services were running on Monday morning. The A78 Shore Road between Skelmorlie and Largs in North Ayrshire remains closed in both directions after "significant damage" to the carriageway and sea wall, with several ferry services also facing disruption.
Emergency services were called on Sunday evening to a flooded care home on Sidney Street, Saltcoats in North Ayrshire. Police Scotland confirmed all residents were accounted for and local road closures had been put in place. First Minister John Swinney expressed condolences over the death in Dumfries and Galloway and that of another man in his 20s who died during the storm in north London. The Scottish Government's Resilience Room (SGORR) convened on Sunday to assess the aftermath, with Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville urging people to follow advice and heed warnings. A Met Office yellow warning is in place for Tuesday from 3am to 9pm for areas north of Peebles and west of Lockerbie.
