Vessel drifts off Oban in gale force winds

The lifeboat was launched after the ship started to drag its anchors

A lifeboat has been launched to help a 1,300-tonne coaster being battered by gale force winds off Oban.

The ship had dragged its anchors, putting it dangerously close to the shore of Kerrera and the north entrance of Oban bay.

A crew member from the Oban RNLI lifeboat was put onboard the ship to secure a line.

It was then towed to a safer location and was able to drop its anchors again at about 12:30.

Earlier, part of the A1 - the major east coast road linking Scotland and England - was closed to all vehicles because of high winds.

High-sided vehicles were stopped from using the route for the entire Edinburgh to Berwick-upon-Tweed section.

Warnings were put in place for all Scotland's exposed road bridges, with restrictions on the Tay and Forth.

At about 15:00, Traffic Scotland said wind was no longer a problem but rain warnings remained in force.

Flooded roads

There has also been disruption to many rail services, including those linking the central belt with Inverness, and trains to Alloa and Stirling.

A power failure between Paisley and Johnstone halted trains to Ayrshire.

There have also been major problems on many ferry routes.

Localised flooding has affected many roads.

A number of routes are closed in Fife, including the A914 east of New Inn Roundabout.

Trossachs Search and Rescue have been assisting with problems on the B829 Aberfoyle-Inversnaid road, which they reported to be closed.

Flooding on and around the Aberfoyle to Inversnaid road has led to its closure