Strong northerly winds and wild seas are forecast around the Western Isles over the coming day or two.
A Met Office weather warning in place for snow and ice will not affect ferries, although
visibility may be reduced during wintry squalls, but an incoming weather front and
accompanying strong winds are expected to bring some travel-by-sea disruption.
Wind speeds will strengthen over Sunday night into Monday morning, peaking at force nine levels in the afternoon or early evening.
Western Isles ferry services are on yellow alert for Monday while CalMac warns Stornoway sailings face potential disruption into Wednesday morning.
Monday’s Lochboisdale/Oban service is cancelled. CalMac raises the possibility of a sailing on Tuesday and says options are being explored.
MV Hebrides’ morning North Uist leg is expected to operate in the morning but sailings for the rest of the day are on yellow alert. The Harris service is looking doubtful while there is a possibility of a lull in the evening where wind speeds may decrease sufficiently to permit a run to Lochmaddy.
Bad weather may affect Stornoway/Ullapool passenger sailings until mid-week. Livestock
and horses will be carried on a case-by-case basis.
The Stornoway freight ferry may also be affected by adverse weather until mid-week.
Sound of Barra sailings are liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice.
Western Isles ferries risk cancelling sailings with severe gale set to blow in
5 January 2025
