Stormy weather hits Scotland

A pedestrian struggles with the weather in Edinburgh

Strong winds and heavy rain have caused renewed problems in some parts of Scotland with several areas placed on flood alert.

While conditions were not as severe as those which had caused widespread disruption on Monday, rail passengers and motorists were again affected.

Householders were also warned of a further threat to property and police urged drivers to reduce their speed because of heavy surface water and avoid unnecessary journeys.

These strong winds are set to continue this evening, with much of the country at risk of strong south to south westerly winds

Gail Pirie, BBC Scotland forecaster

One severe flood warning was still in place on Friday evening on the River Earn in Perth and Kinross.

The risk of flooding followed over an inch of rain in some parts, falling onto already saturated ground.

A further 19 flood warnings were in place and 19 other areas were under flood watch.

But there was no repeat of the violent weather on Monday which saw 100mph winds.

Inside out: The wind causes problems

The strongest gusts were recorded at 85mph in Tiree and the Outer Hebrides.

On Friday evening, all ScotRail services were reported to be running normally.

Earlier a landslide at Kirkconnel in Dumfries and Galloway disrupted trains between Glasgow and Carlisle.

The main west coast line from Scotland to England was shut due to damage to power lines near Carstairs, in Lanarkshire, which affected scheduled services from Glasgow to London and trains from Edinburgh to London, via Glasgow.

Virgin Trains, which runs the west coast service, said the track was also affected by blockages in Cumbria caused by flooding and a fallen tree.

The line reopened late on Friday evening.

Rescued from car

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) had put out severe flood warnings in two areas around the River Earn in Perth and Kinross on Friday.

The alerts were in force for the sections of the river from Comrie to Crieff and downstream from Crieff to Bridge of Earn. The second alert remained in place on Friday evening.

A third had earlier been issued for the Teviot Water in the Borders.

Flood warnings remained in place for: Forth Valley; Tayside; Angus; Fife; Edinburgh and the Lothians; the Borders; Dumfries and Galloway and parts of the west of Scotland.

A couple had to be rescued from their car near Dumfries by the fire brigade and a house was flooded in Kirkcudbright.

Power cables down near Peebles

There was also some damage to power cables.

Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace had to cancel a trip to the Isle of Gigha because of the weather.

West coast ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne cancelled services from Stornoway to Ullapool, Berneray to Leverburgh on Lewis and Tayinloan to the Isle of Gigha for the day.

Routes including Portavadie to Tarbert, Raasay to Sconser and Largs to the island of Cumbrae, were also suspended until further notice.

'Gradually ease'

BBC Scotland weather forecaster, Gail Pirie, said some heavy winds could still be expected.

She said: "These strong winds are set to continue this evening, with much of the country at risk of strong south to south westerly winds.

"Occasionally the winds will touch gale, perhaps severe gale force, especially across the islands and and north west Highlands, with gusts of up to 70mph expected.

"Overnight the winds will gradually ease and the gales will become confined to the northern a and western isles, leaving the rest of Scotland with brisk south westerly winds tomorrow."

Ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash between Scotland and England at Murrayfield on Saturday, the Scottish Rugby Union urged spectators to take public transport to the stadium.

The back pitch car parks could be closed and shops and catering marquees may not be allowed to operate.