Brief
Scotland closes rail lines as Storm Boelo brings 80 mph gusts
Amber warnings trigger line closures from Kilwinning to the Highlands, with reduced speeds across much of Scotland.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Network Rail Scotland announced that multiple rail lines in western and northern Scotland will close on Saturday night and Sunday as Storm Boelo sweeps the region with gusts of up to 80 mph, according to the Standard.
The Met Office upgraded its weekend wind warning from yellow to amber for all of mainland Scotland and the western islands. The amber alert starts at 9 pm on Saturday and runs until 9 pm on Sunday; only Orkney remains under a yellow warning.
Services south and west of Kilwinning in North Ayrshire will stop from 9 pm Saturday. Further north, the Oban and Mallaig lines will close around 10 pm, and on Sunday the Kyle of Lochalsh‑Achnashellach line in the Highlands and the Wick‑Helmsdale line will be shut from the start of service. Speed restrictions will apply across large parts of the network from late Saturday evening through Sunday, remaining until winds ease and inspections deem the lines safe.
Craig Gorman, head of operational weather strategy at Network Rail Scotland, told the Standard, “We know closing lines and slowing trains will have a significant impact on people’s plans this weekend, and these aren’t decisions we take lightly. But when we’re facing weather of this scale, we have to put safety first and make sensible calls before conditions deteriorate.” He added that the agency will monitor conditions and adapt its response as the storm moves across Scotland.
ScotRail urged passengers to check journeys and consider alternatives. Ticket holders for Saturday or Sunday can use any service on Saturday or retain the ticket for travel once routes reopen, including on Monday.
Scottish ministers activated the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR). Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley‑Anne Somerville chaired a meeting on Friday, saying the room will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
Edinburgh’s City Council announced the closure of Princes Street Gardens, Lauriston Castle Grounds and Saughton Winter Gardens on Saturday evening, with reopening planned for Monday when it is safe.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) urged the public to stay vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel near the coast.
Key facts
- Amber wind warning for all of mainland Scotland and western islands runs from 9 pm Saturday to 9 pm Sunday (standard.co.uk)
- Rail services south and west of Kilwinning close from 9 pm Saturday; Oban, Mallaig, Kyle of Lochalsh‑Achnashellach and Wick‑Helmsdale lines close on Saturday night or Sunday (standard.co.uk)
- Speed restrictions apply across large parts of Scotland’s rail network until winds ease (standard.co.uk)
- ScotRail offers ticket flexibility for affected passengers (standard.co.uk)
- Scottish ministers activated the SGORR and Edinburgh council closed several public gardens (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Some rail lines set to close as Scotland braces itself for Storm Boelo”
