A brewing storm is expected to cause power cuts and travel disruptions.
The Met Office repeated a weather warning urging people to be aware.
Uist and Barra are set to get the brunt of the adverse weather this afternoon. 70 mph winds late morning are strengthening over the day.
Scottish Hydro has deployed extra resources with engineers ready to work into the night to try and repair broken electricity links.
The utility said it is operating at yellow alert in case of power cuts “in anticipation of severe weather expected across Scotland.”
All Western Isles ferry services are cancelled with ships stormbound in port.
Coastguards warned mariners of the risk of violent storm force winds with large seas around coasts.
Brewing storm risks power cuts, disruptions
9 March 2015
Howmore phonebox blown off its foundations
Iain Macphee