CalMac ferries between Ullapool and Stornoway facing further disruption amid high winds; Traffic Scotland warns Ross-shire drivers that high-sided vehicles are banned from Kessock Bridge and warnings in place on Skye and Dornoch bridges; Scottish Environment Protection Agency flood alerts remain in place in Wester Ross and Moray Firth coasts on Wednesday
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COASTAL flood warnings remained in place in Ross-shire this morning, as high winds continued to cause road and ferry disruption despite the end of Met Office weather warnings in the region.
CalMac's 7am Stornoway to Ullapool ferry has been delayed by three hours and will not sail until 10am.
This will have knock-on effects for subsequent crossings, with the 10.30am Ullapool-Stornoway service and the 2pm Stornoway return both cancelled.
The 5.30pm Ullapool to Stornoway service will run as normal though.
Passengers on the delayed 7am Stornoway ferry who are planning to connect with bus services have also been warned by CalMac that the next bus connection from Ullapool to Inverness will not be until 4.50pm.
Elsewhere, motorists were being warned that the Kessock Bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles at the time of writing (9.05am), and there were warnings to take added care when crossing the Dornoch and Skye bridges - although there no restrictions on vehicles on either of the latter two crossings.
And the Scottish Environment Protection Agency was advising coastal residents that flood alerts remained in place in Wester Ross and eastern coastlines this morning. The warning followed similar alerts and warnings on Tuesday, when higher than normal tides and strong winds saw the sea wash away part of the road at Applecross.
A spokesman said: "There is a risk of significant coastal flooding on Tuesday and Wednesday due to higher than usual tides and large waves. This will increase the risk of flooding to low lying land and roads and could affect exposed coastal properties. There could also be wave overtopping of coastal defences."
They warned that the periods of greatest risk are around high tide, which occurs in Ullapool at around 10am on Wednesday and in the Moray Firth area at around 3.15pm on Wednesday – although other locales will be subject to local variations.
"Remain vigilant and remember, it is your responsibility to take actions which help protect yourself and your property. Advice and information is also available through Floodline on 0345 9881188," added the spokesman.
You can also register for Floodline alerts at sepa.org.uk/floodingsignup.
For the latest travel updates, visit Traffic Scotland’s current incidents pages.
