Weather: Wind and rain warnings for Scotland

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said it is expecting further heavy rain in Tayside, Angus and Aberdeenshire through today and into the weekend. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Trains on the Highland main line between Perth and Inverness were halted after a train hit a fallen tree between Dalwhinnie and Newtonmore.

The route was later blocked by flooding near Pitlochry.

Passengers were transferred to coaches.

CalMac was forced to cancel a ferry sailing between Oban and Colonsay because of “adverse weather and sea conditions”.

Several other of its west coast routes were put on amber alert for potential disruption.

On the roads, part of the M90 was flooded south of Perth, while drivers faced hazardous conditions on the M74 - the main cross-Border link - because of water on the carriageway.

High wind warnings were in force on the Tay Road Bridge and Dornoch Bridge.

There were 12 flood warnings issued for Tayside, where the Scottish Environment Protection Agency said flooding was expected and “immediate action” was required.

These included for stretches of the rivers Tay, Tummel, Isla and Lyon.

A Met Office yellow - “be aware” weather warning remains in force for north east Scotland until just before midnight tonight.

Forecasters said persistent rain - 20-60mm - falling on saturated ground had increased the risk of flooding.

The agency today issued a further yellow warning for Sunday, when it said rain, heavy at times, would spread south-westwards into eastern Scotland with strong easterly winds.

A spokesman said: “This additional rainfall, following the recent wet weather, means the public should be aware of an increased risk of surface water flooding and spray.

“Although the rain is not currently expected be especially heavy, it is the combination of the persistence of the rain, together with fairly waterlogged ground, that is likely to lead to impacts necessitating this alert.”