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Image source, Getty Images
CalMac cancelled services on Saturday and warned of further disruption
Trains and ferry services have been cancelled as a weather warning for heavy rain has come into force in parts of Scotland.
A yellow alert is in place from 18:00 in the Highlands, Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Argyll and Bute. From midnight, this is upgraded to Amber in the north west of Scotland on Sunday.
The Met Office said some areas could see a month of rain in one day.
CalMac has already cancelled 13 ferry services with more disruption expected.
ScotRail said train services around Inverness and Kyle Of Lochalsh could be cancelled or delayed until 09:00 on Monday.
Up to 200mm of rain is expected to fall on hills in parts of the Highlands and northern Argyll, bringing a warning of potential landslides and road debris.
Amber warning as heavy rain set to hit Highlands
Drivers have been advised to take care with five regional flood alerts put in place by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
These cover Argyll and Bute, Caithness and Sutherland, Easter Ross and Great Glen, Skye and Lochber and Wester Ross.
Ferry operator CalMac said its services were liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice due to the weather.
Passengers are advised to check the CalMac website for the latest information.
Cancelled ferry services
- Tobemory - Kilchoan
- Ardmhor, Barra - Eriskay
- Oban - Coll - Tiree
- Oban - Colonsay - Port Askaig - Kennacaig
- Uig - Tarbert
- Fionnphort - Iona
- Ullapool - Lochmaddy
- Berneray - Leverburgh
- Lochmaddy - Tarbert
- Sconser - Raasay
- Mallaig - Armadale
- Mallaig - Small Isles
- Mallaig/Oban - Lochboisdale
Highland Council said sandbags had already been used to contain flooding at a culvert on a section of the A832 road at Dundonnell.
Road maintenance firm BEAR Scotland said drivers should not make journeys within the amber alert area.
BEAR Scotland north west representative, Ian Stewart, said: "If you do come across flooding, the best option is to turn about and go back the way you came because you just don't know how deep it is."
Image source, Highland Council
Image caption,The flooded culvert on the A832 in the Highlands
Scotland's Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop said it was important that motorists "play their part" in minimising disruption.
She said: "Make sure your route is available, follow the travel advice from Police Scotland and drive in accordance with the conditions.
"If you are planning to travel by train, ferry or plane, please check with your operators as the forecast conditions also have potential to impact your services."
The Met Office warning comes after an autumn in which flooding during Storm babet caused extensive damage to parts of the country, including Angus and Aberdeenshire.
