BUILDINGS have been evacuated and two of Fort William’s main streets closed off after Storm Floris caused major damage to rooftops.
Images shared on social media showed a section of copper roofing coming away from the building housing the VisitScotland information centre on the town’s High Street.
The thoroughfare, as well as the parallel Middle Street, have both been closed for “public safety”.
"Fort William High Street shut as roof about to fly off!" one user wrote on Facebook, sharing video of fire and rescue personnel on the scene.
Storm Floris has hit the Highlands with gusts of more than 90mph, as well as severe travel disruption across road and rail networks.
“[[Highland Council]] roads and building control teams are assisting Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“Adjacent buildings have been evacuated, and sections of both High Street and Middle Street have been closed off.
“Structural engineers from building control will assess the damage as soon as possible, however due to the current wind conditions, it's not possible to safely access the roof to assess the full extent of the damage.”
It comes after [[Police Scotland]] issued a warning to motorists to avoid the popular Bealach na Ba road altogether, with “multiple” reports of strong winds overturning campervans both there and along the A87 on Skye.
An amber weather warning is in place in an area stretching from the central belt to the north coast until 11pm, with the Met Office saying injuries and danger to life are expected from large waves hitting seafronts, coastal roads and properties.
The rest of the country is covered by a yellow weather warning until 11.59pm on Monday.
Fallen trees have seen a number of roads closed, including the A95 Rosarie road in both directions and the A96 in a number of locations, while the A9 at Daviot is partially blocked by a fallen tree.
High winds have also led to the closure of the A9 Dornoch Bridge in both directions, and the A1 Tyne Bridge is only open to cars and single-decker buses.
ScotRail has urged people to secure all outdoor equipment such as trampolines.
Posting on social media, the rail operator said: “We’re asking anyone with garden equipment, such as tents, trampolines or furniture, to secure items so that they don’t blow onto the tracks and interfere with lineside equipment.”
