The weather, very strong winds and rain, is causing various problems at the moment. This afternoon all ferries were cancelled for the remainder of the day due to adverse weather. Earlier today the Islay Ferry MV Hebridean Isles suffered the loss of one engine and she had to leave the Islay route. She is now berthed at Craignure and will sail to Oban Tomorrow for a technical inspection. It is therefore not sure that she will be back in time for the Islay run.

Later today I learned in a press release from the Argyll and Bute council that the A83 at Rest and be Thankful has closed again this evening. The press release states that "Transport Scotland made the decision to close Rest and be Thankful just hours after announcing that the road would reopen 24 hours a day from today for the first time since a landslip on December 1. The night-time closure to all but emergency vehicles is due to the current high winds and heavy rain. The road will reopen to all traffic at 8.30am tomorrow morning.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: "Despite our very best efforts to find a solution to allow us to monitor the landslip during darkness and allow us to keep the road open around the clock, the impact of high winds and driving rain has forced us to close the road again tonight, except to emergency vehicles, during the hours of darkness. A diversion route has been put in place which will run during darkness - drivers needing to use this route during these hours should use the A819 and A85/A82. We will of course provide updates as the impact of the current weather events unfold but we still hope to re-open the road 24 hours a day from tomorrow night."

The image is courtesy of Mark Reynier and shows Bruichladdich Pier this afternoon

Tag: weather storm ferry a83 bruichladdich