ALL schools in the Western Isles are closed to pupils as Scotland braces for Storm Brendan today.
The storm, which is expected to bring gusts of up to 80mph, has prompted the Met Office to issue a yellow weather warning of high winds across the west, south-west and north-east of the country between 10am and midnight today.
The strongest winds are expected to hit exposed coasts and hills with gusts of 60-70mph likely, and guests of up to 80mph possible in some places, particularly around the west coast.
Western Isles Council closed all schools and nurseries as a precaution for the day, though schools are open to staff who are expected to attend "when they deem it safe to do so".
The council added all bus services in the area are likely to be cancelled today.
The Met Office said some delays to road, rail, air and ferries are expected - particularly for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges.
Several Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services are affected, with some cancelled due to adverse weather and others disrupted.
Services to Orkney and Shetland may also be disrupted, Northlink Ferries warned.
The Met Office warns of a "widely very windy period" expected today with "some disruption to travel likely".
It added: "An area of very strong winds will move eastwards across the UK through Monday, clearing eastwards overnight.
"The strongest winds are expected around exposed coasts and hills."
The warning covers Orkney and Shetland, Grampian, the Highlands, Western Isles, Angus, Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders and parts of Strathclyde.
Meanwhile the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued three flood warnings and 16 flood alerts around the country, warning of a risk of coastal flooding.
Sepa said: "The Met Office has forecast strong and sustained winds from Monday morning, January 13, through much of the week.
"Combined with naturally high tides next week, the sustained winds will create an unusual and dangerous combination of tide, storm surge and inshore waves.
"There is therefore a risk of coastal flooding to all Scotland's coastal areas. The highest risk is around high tides from midday Monday through to Tuesday afternoon.
"There is a flooding risk to coastal road and rail routes and coastal communities right around Scotland's coastline."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here