Travel
Travel disruption on Hogmanay as trains cancelled and roads ‘hazardous’
Multiple travel routes have been disrupted across the north of Scotland on Hogmanay with trains cancelled and road conditions “hazardous”.
An amber weather warning has been issued for parts of Scotland as heavy rain and snow persist, dampening New Year celebrations.
The Met Office warning for Moray and the Highlands came into effect at midnight on Tuesday and is due to expire at 5pm before a yellow warning for snow and ice comes into force around 4am tomorrow.
Further yellow weather warnings for rain, wind and snow are in place for almost all of the country throughout Hogmanay.
Forecasters said fast-flowing and deep floodwater from the rain may bring a “danger to life”.
Meanwhile, travel routes across the north of the country have been impacted with flooding between Muir of Ord and Dingwall cancelling services early on Tuesday.
The Far North Line at Wick and Thurso has been fully closed for the duration of Hogmanay, and no replacement buses have been running due to “hazardous” road conditions.
Customers due to travel on Hogmanay can use their tickets on Thursday, January 2 and Friday, January 3, with no trains running on New Year’s Day.
Network Rail added that the River Tay had exceeded the safe limit for trains to run.
The Highland Main Line at Kingussie is closed, with water levels extremely high at Gynack burn, and branches and other debris were washed onto the tracks.
The A9 at Tomich has been closed in both directions due to flooding as of 7.30am on Tuesday.
Police Scotland said it was due to a broken-down car in standing water. Drivers are being diverted through Invergordon.
The A832 Fortrose to Avoch in Black Isle has also been closed due to a landslide affecting both sides of the road.
Police said the road will likely remain closed for some time, and drivers have been urged to avoid the area.
A number of Stagecoach bus services have been cancelled across the north due to flooding, including in Aberdeenshire and Moray.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued multiple flood warnings and said Scotland will see “significant flooding impacts” in the coming days as more persistent and heavy rain arrives.
STV meteorologist Sean Batty said the Northern Isles will face “particularly” challenging conditions, with heavy rain turning back to snow as colder air arrives.
“Heavy rain here will turn back to snow as colder air begins digging back south and could lead to blizzard conditions given the strong winds,” he said.
He added that the whole country will also experience strong winds, with gales in the north and west and further spells of heavy rain—particularly across the Highlands.
“Later in the day the rain will turn more showery for most, although rain in the north will readily turn to snow into the evening,” he said.
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