By Ricky Kelly
Strong winds and heavy rain are forecast across the west of Scotland this weekend as Storm Boelo brings an amber weather warning and disruption to rail services.
The Met Office amber wind warning runs from 9.00pm on Saturday 24th October until 9pm on Sunday 25th October 2026.
Fairly widespread gusts of 60 to 70mph are expected within the amber warning area, reaching 80mph in exposed coastal locations.
The strongest winds will initially affect western Scotland on Saturday evening before spreading eastwards overnight and through Sunday. Periods of heavy rain and frequent showers will accompany the winds.
A wider yellow wind warning runs from midday on Saturday until 9pm on Sunday. The Met Office brought forward its start time and extended the warning area further south in an update on Friday morning.
Winds are expected to ease gradually from the west during Sunday.
In Paisley, Renfrewshire Council has confirmed that Friday’s Halloween Festival programme is going ahead as planned. As of its update at 1pm on Friday 23rd October, it had not announced a cancellation of Saturday’s programme.
The council said: “We’re monitoring the weekend weather forecasts closely. Fridays festival programme is going ahead as planned. An update on Saturdays programme will be provided closer to the time. Programme information correct as of Friday 23 October, 1.00pm.”
Rail passengers across the west of Scotland have been warned to expect significant disruption and longer journeys.
Network Rail has confirmed that services between Kilwinning and Ardrossan and Ayr will stop from 9.00pm on Saturday. The affected lines will remain closed on Sunday until they have been inspected and are safe to reopen.
The Crianlarich to Oban and Fort William to Mallaig lines will close from 10.00pm on Saturday.
Speed restrictions will begin across Scotland’s railway late on Saturday night and continue into Sunday.
On Sunday, the line between Kyle of Lochalsh and Achnashellach will be closed from the start of service. The railway between Wick, Thurso and Helmsdale will also close. Inspections will be needed before these routes can reopen.
Network Rail said specialist weather forecasters were tracking the storm. Extra staff will be ready to respond to fallen trees, debris and other damage.
Craig Gorman, head of operational weather strategy at Network Rail Scotland, said: “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.
“A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes to understand how the weather could affect different parts of the railway. We’ll keep a close eye on conditions as Storm Boelo moves across Scotland and adapt our response where we need to, while doing everything we can to keep people moving.”
The storm follows heavy rain associated with Storm Austen on Friday, with speed restrictions in place on parts of the railway across southern and eastern Scotland.
Passengers are urged to plan ahead, allow extra time and check their journey before setting off. They should continue checking National Rail and their train operator for updates throughout the weekend.
