Heavy fog threatens to delay vote count

Atop the highest hill near the town, the Lewis War Memorial is shrouded in mist

Heavy fog in the Western Isles threatens to disrupt tonight’s (Thurs) count in Scotland’s historic independence referendum.

In addition, many postal votes are presently stuck on the mainland this morning as the mail plane cannot get through.

The Western Isles was in the running to be the first of 32 regions in Scotland to declare the local result, looking at a 1.30am announcement

But the blanket of haar lying over the islands has put well organised plans to use a charted plane to fly ballot boxes from Uist and Barra to the count centre in Stornoway.

Ferries and boats will be put on stand-by today as it would too hazardous for aircraft to fly in such poor visibility.

All scheduled flights to Stornoway are delayed indefinitely this morning (Thurs).

Planes from Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh cannot get in or out of Stornoway airport.

Returning officer Malcolm Burr is anxious consulting with weather and aviation experts.

Even if the fog lifts it may return this evening.

Last night (wed) a covering of mist engulfed much of Lewis at the same time as the plane is needed.

Heavy fog threatens to delay vote count 18/9/14