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You Are Here: Home» World News » Trees down and power cuts as 100mph winds hit Scotland, 23 May 2011 Last updated at 16:27 GMT


Fallen tree on Mearns Road in Clarkston A fallen tree blocks Mearns Road in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire
Winds of up to 100mph have been causing travel disruption on Scotland's road, rail and ferry networks.
Almost 30,000 homes across the country were without power as the severe weather brought down trees and electricity lines.
A gust of 100mph (161km/h) was recorded earlier at Glen Ogle weather station in Stirlingshire.
Two people had to be rescued after a tree hit their car on the A91 near Kinross.
They were taken to hospital in Dunfermline.
On the A9 southbound at Balhaldie an ambulance and a lorry were involved in a crash caused by another fallen tree. Central Scotland police said no-one was injured.
About 15,000 properties were without power following 70 faults in Argyll, Tayside, north east Scotland and Highlands, Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution confirmed.
Scottish Power said 12,000 homes were without electricity, with the Fife, Dumfries and Galloway and Lanarkshire areas worst affected.
The company said hundreds of engineers were out working in "very difficult" conditions.
Both power companies have arranged for extra engineers to travel from England to help restore supply to customers.
Scottish and Southern Energy said teams of line engineers had been sent to Argyll, south Highlands, Tayside and coastal areas in the north east.
Road users have faced delays and diversions across the country.
In the Highlands, Northern Constabulary said the A82 was particularly affected, with fallen branches and trees at various points, and is currently closed at Ballachulish one mile south of Glencoe.
A spokesman said: "All other roads in the Highlands are open at present, but many are experiencing disruption."
Winds of up to 80mph (129km/h) had been forecast for Monday.
The Met Office had issued a "be prepared" warning for the south and central Scotland and a "be aware" warning for the rest of the country.
Fallen trees were also causing problems for motorists in Drymen, Balfron, Strathblane and at Arnprior.
Mearns Road in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, became blocked at about lunchtime when a tree fell, pulling down power cables.
Ferry sailings affected include Oban to Coll and Tiree, Wemyss Bay to Rothesay and Barra to Eriskay.
A lorry has overturned on the M9 between Kirkliston and Philipstoun.
The Forth Road Bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles, cars with trailers, caravans, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians.
The Tay Road Bridge was only open to cars and high wind warnings were in place on the Kessock, Skye, Friarton and Erskine Bridges.
tree falls onto car in driveway, pic from Jennifer Taylor Jennifer Taylor's new car is hit by a fallen tree in Balerno
First ScotRail said that the overhead lines at Partick station in Glasgow were down causing disruption to trains in the area. There were also problems reported near Hamilton in South Lanarkshire.
A spokesman for Network Rail, which deals with the railway's cabling and tracks, said it had hundreds of people working to get services "back online".
He added: "It's a question of waiting for the elements. It's a problem with electric trains rather than diesel, so some will be running. It's best to check in to the website for more up-to-date information."
The Met Office said winds should ease by evening.
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