CalMac and ScotRail disruption amid Met Office yellow weather warning for winds in western Highlands
Disruption was hitting ferry and some train journeys in the north on Friday morning - due to a mix of imminent stormy weather and staffing issues.
CalMac's Ullapool-Stornoway route is badly affected, with the 7am and 2pm Stornoway departures and the 10.30am Ullapool departure all cancelled as a result of forecast strong southerly winds.
The stormy seas are also coinciding with exceptionally high and low spring tides. A yellow Met Office weather warning for high winds came into force at 7am and covers the Minch, parts of Wester Ross, the Outer Hebrides, Skye, Raasay, the Small Isles, Canna and Tiree. Widn gusts of up to 60mph are expected in the most exposed locations which, with the spring tides, could lead to coastal flooding.
The 5.30pm Ullapool to Stornoway sailing was still set to sail at the time of the last CalMac update at 5.44am, but the ferry operator warned that it "remains liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice" and urged passengers to check their journey before setting off.
Meanwhile, two ScotRail journeys on the Far North Line were also cancelled, although these were due to a shortage of train crew rather than the weather.
The 10.41am Inverness to Wick departure, and the 4pm Wick to Inverness services - which would have used the same train - were both cancelled.
Bus replacement services have been sourced but ScotRail warned passengers to expect longer journey times as the buses will be calling at all stations on the route.
A spokersperson said: "We have managed to source replacement coaches operated by D&E Coaches and MacNeils… calling at all stations.
"Due to the use of road transport your journey time will be extended and we apologise for the disruption to you journey on this route, if you are delayed over 30 minutes you can make a claim by visiting ScotRail.co.uk/delay-repay."
Elsewhere, CalMac has advised passengers that an additional sailing will take place this Sunday morning, owing to operational issues leading to changes on the overnight freight sailings.
A CalMac spokesperson said: "Due to MV Isle of Lewis now operating the freight service, MV Loch Seaforth will operate the following additional sailing - Depart Stornoway 9am, depart Ullapool 12.30pm."
