MAJOR disruptions to holiday travel plans are expected as several ferry services are affected by a yellow weather warning issued across Scotland.
Service operator CalMac said many of its ferry services across the west coast of Scotland are expected to experience widespread disruption as a result of adverse weather conditions.
Finlay MacRae, head of operations at CalMac, said: “While we can’t control the impact from weather, we do have a committed team working hard to reduce the impact on our communities and customers wherever we can.
“Our crew will monitor the situation and respond to limited weather windows by operating untimetabled services whenever they can do so safely.
“We are continually reviewing options to ensure the best service possible for customers and communities during this period and we fully appreciate how difficult this can be, especially during the holiday period.
“Please monitor updates with the latest information via the service status and information pages on our website, our service status app and our Twitter page @CalMac_Updates.
“CalMac continues to work with local communities to ensure their priorities around the transportation of goods and services are understood and supported, and dedicated frontline staff are talking to our regular customers daily to make sure that, where possible, essential goods and services are being moved.”
West coast residents took to Twitter/X as ferry services are already being disrupted.
Rhoda Meek, columnist at The National, posted: "Listen up folks! Shit is about to go DOWN in Tiree. Today's ferry might be the last before Boxing Day. Christmas Eve is a possibility, but currently on a knife edge. The weather is shaping up to be shocking and today's plane landed on one engine..."
Listen up folks! Shit is about to go DOWN in Tiree. Today's ferry might be the last before Boxing Day. Christmas Eve is a possibility, but currently on a knife edge. The weather is shaping up to be shocking and today's plane landed on one engine...
— Rhoda Meek (@wodieskodie) December 19, 2023
Others explained how their journey south for Christmas had been impacted by the poor weather, with one user writing: "Up early, our ferry booking has been shifted to an earlier one at short notice because of the weather. Today we begin a long journey south for a family Christmas. Back on the island before Hogmanay. I never look forward to this journey! The destination is fine of course."
Up early, our ferry booking has been shifted to an earlier one at short notice because of the weather. Today we begin a long journey south for a family Christmas. Back on the island before Hogmanay. I never look forward to this journey! The destination is fine of course. 😊
— Nick Ray (@LifeAfloat) December 20, 2023
A yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office from midnight to 9pm on Thursday, meaning travel disruption is likely, power cuts are possible, high-sided vehicles could be affected on exposed roads and coastal routes could be sprayed by high waves.
An area of low pressure will bring winds of 70-80mph in northern Scotland, and 45-55mph elsewhere in Scotland.
