Rail closures and speed restrictions across western and northern Scotland

ScotRail has closed or is set to close several rail lines in western and northern Scotland, and speed restrictions are expected across much of its network from late Saturday night and throughout Sunday, as Storm Boelo brings strong winds and heavy rain to the country¹. The Met Office yellow wind warning began at midday on Saturday, with an amber alert in force from 9pm on Saturday until 9pm on Sunday, leaving only Orkney under the yellow warning¹.

The Met Office said gusts of 60 to 70mph are expected fairly widely, with gusts to 80mph in exposed coastal areas, and that the strongest winds will initially affect western Scotland and the far north of Northern Ireland on Saturday evening before spreading eastwards overnight and through Sunday¹. It warned of potential injuries and danger to life from flying debris, as well as a chance of damage to buildings, power cuts and travel disruption¹. The warnings follow Storm Austen, which brought heavy rain to many areas on Friday¹.

The rail closures reported are set out below.

Speed restrictions are expected across much of the network from late Saturday night and throughout Sunday, with the potential for them to remain in place on the Far North Line between Inverness and Wick into Monday morning¹. ScotRail said lower speeds mean longer journey times, delays and possible cancellations, and advised people to check before travelling and to consider alternative arrangements where possible¹. It also said tickets for travel on Saturday or Sunday can be used on any service on Saturday, or once routes reopen following the storm, including on Monday¹.

All 30 CalMac ferry services have been cancelled, some until Monday, and all other routes face disruption or last-minute cancellations because of the weather¹. Scottish ministers have activated the Scottish Government's Resilience Room (SGORR) to prepare for the storm; Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville chaired a meeting on Friday¹.

The Paisley Halloween Festival on Saturday was cancelled by Renfrewshire Council after advice from contractors and its health and safety team; Friday night's event went ahead as planned¹. The Enchanted Forest event at Pitlochry on Saturday was also cancelled, and organisers said Sunday's event may be cancelled too¹. The City of Edinburgh Council said it will close Princes Street Gardens, Lauriston Castle Grounds and Saughton Winter Gardens on Saturday evening and reopen them on Monday once it is safe to do so, and Edinburgh Castle will be closed on Sunday, with visitors warned the site may be delayed or closed on Saturday¹.

Why it matters for households

Households in western and northern Scotland, and anyone travelling by rail or ferry over the weekend, are affected from 9pm on Saturday until 9pm on Sunday, with Orkney remaining under the yellow warning¹. The Met Office warns of power cuts as well as travel disruption, and the rail operator advises passengers to check before travelling and to consider alternative arrangements where possible¹. Ticket holders for Saturday or Sunday can travel on any service on Saturday or use their ticket once routes reopen, including on Monday¹. Ferry passengers face cancellations across all 30 CalMac services, some until Monday¹. Several council-run and organised events and garden and castle sites in Edinburgh and Perthshire are closed or cancelled¹. Our guide to trains, buses and bridge closures in bad weather sets out how transport disruption is handled, and the storms and snow hub covers wider preparations.

What happens next

The amber wind warning runs until 9pm on Sunday¹. Speed restrictions may remain on the Far North Line between Inverness and Wick into Monday morning, and some CalMac services are cancelled until Monday¹. Edinburgh's closed gardens are due to reopen on Monday once it is safe to do so, and organisers of the Enchanted Forest said Sunday's event may be cancelled¹. The Scottish Government said it will monitor the situation closely over the weekend and provide regular updates to the public¹.