At least 24 schools across Scotland are set to close on Tuesday as an 18-hour Met Office yellow warning for wind covers the entire country, with forecasters warning of damaging gusts and potential travel disruption.
The warning, in place between 3am and 9pm, follows Storm Boelo over the weekend and also covers sections of County Antrim and County Londonderry in Northern Ireland. Meteorologists have warned that the incoming gusts could trigger power outages and cause widespread travel disruption, creating severe difficulties for pupils attempting to travel to school.
Met Office warning details
The Met Office warning reads: "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.
Western Isles and other council decisions
The Council of the Western Isles - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - said all Western Isles Schools will be closed on Tuesday. The announcement, made this evening, reads: "All schools in the Western Isles will be closed to pupils on Tuesday, October 27, with high winds forecast at the time of the school commute."
It adds: "The decision to close schools has been taken to prioritise pupil safety, considering the timing of the highest forecast wind speed and potential coastal flooding from high tide levels."
Elsewhere in Scotland, Perth and Kinross Council said pupils at Kettins Primary School will be accommodated at Meigle Primary School tomorrow, while a further update is expected "in due course" regarding the opening of Glenlyon Primary School and Logiealmond Primary School. All other Perth and Kinross Council schools are expected to open as usual.
Other closures and delayed openings
Aberdeenshire Council said two of its schools will be closed tomorrow: Crathes Primary, which will remain closed due to a continued loss of power, and Ellon Academy due to storm damage to the building on Sunday. Other schools and nurseries will open late, including Ballogie Nursery in Aberdeenshire. Moray Council added that Findochty Primary School Nursery will open later tomorrow due to a heating system failure.
Stirling Council said an update will be provided directly to families "as soon as possible" regarding whether Dunblane Primary School will reopen tomorrow. The school was closed today due to concerns about an unsafe roof, the council explained, with structural engineers onsite today.
Scores of schools were closed today as another yellow warning for wind remains in place until 3am, covering parts of Scotland, Wales and western England. The full list of schools closed on Tuesday includes Crathes Primary in Banchory, Ellon Academy in Ellon, and 22 schools across the Western Isles, including Lionel School, Sgoil an Taobh Siar, Shawbost School, Back School, Bresclete School, Tong School, Laxdale School, Stornoway Primary, Nicolson Institute, Sgoil nan Loch, Sgoil an Rubha, Uig School, Pairc School, Sir E Scott School, Leverhulme School, Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath, Sgoile Bhaile a Mhanaich, Sgoil Lionacleit, Iochdar School, Daliburgh School, Eoligarry School, and Castlebay Community School.
