Trains and ferries cancelled as warning for heavy rain in force

CalMac cancelled services on Saturday and warned of further disruption

Trains and ferry services have been cancelled as a weather warning for heavy rain is in force in parts of Scotland.

A yellow warning was in place in the Highlands, Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Argyll and Bute from 18:00 on Saturday. This was upgraded to Amber in parts of north west Scotland.

The Met Office said some areas could see a month of rain in one day.

CalMac cancelled 13 ferry services with some disruption again on Sunday.

ScotRail said speed restrictions are in place for its routes around West Highland, Highland, Far North and Kyle of Lochalsh, as well as a small section at Wemyss Bay.

It said passengers in those areas can expect disruption to train services until about 09:00 on Monday.

The Met Office said the weather alert was expected to earlier than previously forecast, with the Amber warning until 18:00 and the yellow rain warning until just before midnight.

Up to 200mm of rain is expected to fall on hills in parts of the Highlands and northern Argyll, bringing a warning of potential landslides and road debris.

Drivers have been advised to take care with five regional flood alerts put in place by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

These cover Argyll and Bute, Caithness and Sutherland, Easter Ross and Great Glen, Skye and Lochber and Wester Ross.

Ferry operator CalMac said its services were liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice due to the weather.

Services affected include Talbert to Lochranza, Oban to Castlebay, Oban to Coll and Tiree, Uig to Tarbert, and Mallaig to the Small Isles.

Passengers are advised to check the CalMac website for the latest information.

The flooded culvert on the A832 in the Highlands

Highland Council said sandbags had already been used to contain flooding at a culvert on a section of the A832 road at Dundonnell.

Road maintenance firm BEAR Scotland said drivers should not make journeys within the amber alert area.

BEAR Scotland north west representative, Ian Stewart, said: "If you do come across flooding, the best option is to turn about and go back the way you came because you just don't know how deep it is."

Scotland's Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop said it was important that motorists "play their part" in minimising disruption.

She said: "Make sure your route is available, follow the travel advice from Police Scotland and drive in accordance with the conditions.

"If you are planning to travel by train, ferry or plane, please check with your operators as the forecast conditions also have potential to impact your services."

The Met Office warning comes after an autumn in which flooding during Storm babet caused extensive damage to parts of the country, including Angus and Aberdeenshire.