TRAINS have been cancelled as heavy rain and 100mph gusts of wind are set to cause havoc across Scotland with the arrival of Storm Amy.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for wind for parts of Scotland which is set to come into place at 5pm on Friday.
The amber alert covering most of the Highlands, Orkney and Shetland, including parts of Moray and Argyll and Bute, is in place until 9am on Saturday.
All of Scotland will also fall under yellow warning for wind from 3pm on Friday until the start of Sunday.
A long strip of the country running from Dumfries up to the northern-most part of the mainland will also fall under a yellow rain warning from 12pm on Friday to 3pm on Saturday.
The Met Office said the “damaging” winds risk causing disruption to travel routes across rail, ferry and air.
Following the weather alert, ScotRial has confirmed that some lines will close from 6pm with other services revised from late afternoon to early evening.
The affected routes are, Mallaig to Fort William; Fort William to Crianlarich; Inverness to Aberdeen; Inverness to Wick/Thurso; Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh; and Perth to Inverness.
The train operator said that on all other routes, speed restrictions will be introduced from 7pm until the end of service, to ensure the safety of customers and staff.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said: “Safety is always our top priority, and we’re working closely with our colleagues at Network Rail to keep people moving where it’s safe to do so.
“The Met Office amber warning for high winds during Storm Amy means that some routes will have to close, and speed restrictions will be in place across Scotland’s Railway.
“We know how frustrating disruption can be, but these measures are essential to protect our customers and staff.”
Some services have already been disrupted on Friday morning, as Network Rail said metal debris is blocking the north tunnel at Dundee station.
Northbound services from the city’s station have been cancelled, including journeys arriving from Arbroath.
A signalling fault at Port Glasgow is also causing disruption on the Gourock and Wemyss Bay line, with journeys forced to start and end at Langbank.
The train operator anticipates that some disruption to services will extend into Saturday, and possibly Sunday, while Network Rail carries out safety checks for obstructions on the line and damage to any infrastructure.
Police have also urged motorists to drive carefully.
Chief Superintendent Scott McCarren, Police Scotland’s head of road policing, said: “I would encourage people to drive to the conditions and be aware of increased stopping distances.
“In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.
“Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.”
