Electricity supplies restored to Western Isles after major powercut
12 November 2018
All of the Western Isles and Skye were affected by a major powercut today.
A landslip at Kinloch Hourn -
The national grid supply runs across the west Highlands, through Skye and then underwater by two submarine cables to Lewis and Harris, as well as Uist, Benbecula and Barra.
Thousands of homes and businesses lost power at around 9am.
Uig, Bernera and Lionel schools were closed as a result.
Westside School pupils were set to go home at lunchtime but the supply came back on.
The comhairle said their communication systems were disrupted.
Initially, utility firm SSE suggested the power would be back on mid-
Generating stations in South Uist, Barra, and Stornoway fired up to provide a local supply.
Electricity was restored slowly in stages. All of Uist and Barra were switched back on by lunchtime.
Parts of Stornoway and surrounding districts were reconnected within a short period.
But other areas of the town and rural Lewis and Harris were without power for hours.
A SSE spokesperson said: “A team is currently on site to assess impact and options for repair.
“Whilst this repair is ongoing, power supplies are being restored through alternative means.
“This includes re-