Storm Boelo is set to bring winds of up to 80mph to Scotland on Saturday, prompting the closure of rail lines across western and northern parts of the country. The Met Office has issued an amber warning for much of Scotland from Saturday evening through to Sunday, following Storm Austen's heavy downpours on Friday.
Amber warning and rail closures
The Met Office's yellow warning for strong winds over the weekend has been elevated to amber for the whole of mainland Scotland and islands off its west coast. A yellow warning begins at midday on Saturday, but at 9pm the amber alert takes effect, running until 9pm on Sunday, with only Orkney staying under the yellow warning. The warning cautions of potential injuries and danger to life from flying debris, alongside a possibility of damage to buildings, power cuts, and travel disruption.
Network Rail Scotland announced that services south and west of Kilwinning in North Ayrshire will cease from 9pm on Saturday, while further north the Oban and Mallaig lines will shut from approximately 10pm. On Sunday, the line between Kyle of Lochalsh and Achnashellach in the Highlands will be closed from the beginning of service, along with the railway between Wick and Helmsdale.
Speed restrictions and safety measures
Trains will also operate at reduced speeds across extensive parts of Scotland as the storm passes through, with speed restrictions commencing late on Saturday evening and persisting into the next day. Craig Gorman, head of operational weather strategy at Network Rail Scotland, said: "We know closing lines and slowing trains will have a significant impact on people's plans this weekend, and these aren't decisions we take lightly. But when we're facing weather of this scale, we have to put safety first and make sensible calls before conditions deteriorate."
Speed restrictions will remain in place until winds subside, and lines will stay closed until they have been thoroughly inspected and declared safe for use. ScotRail has urged passengers to check their journey before setting off and to consider making alternative arrangements where possible. The operator also confirmed that passengers holding tickets for travel on October 24 or October 25 can travel on any service on Saturday, or use their ticket once routes reopen following the storm, including on October 26.
Government and public safety response
Scottish ministers have activated the Scottish Government's Resilience Room (SGORR) in preparation for Storm Boelo. Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville chaired an SGORR meeting on Friday and said it will continue to "monitor the situation closely over the weekend and provide regular updates to the public." The City of Edinburgh Council announced it will shut Princes Street Gardens, Lauriston Castle Grounds, and Saughton Winter Gardens on Saturday evening due to the anticipated severe weather, with plans to reopen them on Monday once conditions are deemed safe.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has urged members of the public to "stay vigilant" and avoid taking unnecessary risks by heading to coastal areas. RNLI regional water safety lead, Michael Avril said: "Storm Austen and Storm Boelo are set to bring potentially dangerous conditions so we're asking the public to stay vigilant and not take unnecessary risks by travelling to coastal locations. If you are near to the coast or a waterside location, we urge you stay a safe distance from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea."
The Met Office said: "Very strong westerly winds associated with Storm Boelo are expected, with fairly widespread gusts of 60 to 70mph and gusts to 80mph in exposed coastal areas. The strongest winds will initially affect western Scotland and the far north of Northern Ireland on Saturday evening and then spread eastwards overnight and through Sunday."
Travel disruption and warnings
Transport Scotland's Resilience Room and Multi Agency Response Team will keep a close eye on conditions and coordinate responses across the transport network throughout the warning period. Superintendent Andy Barclay, deputy head of road policing for Police Scotland, said: "The amber warning for wind means there is a high risk of disruption on the road network and travel conditions may be hazardous. Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary or if it can be delayed until conditions improve."
Scotland's Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn said: "The Met Office has upgraded its warning for Storm Boelo, with disruptive winds and heavy rain expected to impact most of Scotland this weekend. While the most severe conditions are expected within the amber warning area in the west of Scotland, a yellow warning remains in force across the whole country and travellers everywhere should be prepared for potential disruption."
A Met Office yellow warning for rain remains active across much of southern and eastern Scotland on Friday as Storm Austen continues to batter the nation. The Met Office has warned there is a "small chance" that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to buildings. Travellers have been urged to check the latest availability of trains and buses, while motorists have been cautioned that spray and flooding could pose a hazard on the roads and lead to closures. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency currently has 10 flood alerts in place on Friday. ScotRail has warned that services to and from Aberdeen, Glasgow Central to Edinburgh and Glasgow Central to Carlisle could face speed restrictions or cancellations as a result of the severe weather. Network Rail Scotland confirmed that speed restrictions will be implemented on sections of the West Coast Main Line and East Coast Main Line, as well as routes throughout southern and eastern Scotland, at various points throughout the day.
