Due to a slightly more northerly course of the low pressure area the winds on Islay will be even stronger than predicted. the MetOffice reports says: "Recently during Thursday morning, Malin Head in Northern Ireland has seen means of 58 mph and gusts to 80 mph, Salsburgh in Lanarkshire has had means of 49 mph and gusts of up to 77 mph, and Tiree has had 59 mph gusting 89 mph." I haven't heard anything about damage to trees or buildings on Islay but there are reports of power outages and snapped telephone wires. The highest gust on Islay so far seems to be around 79 mph according to the MetOffice. Several people on Islay use twitter and they have mentioned the strong winds and high waves. Below is a nice collection of Tweets as they appeared on Twitter so far:

@screenmachine The latest report from Islay is that Screen Machine is "hiding out in a hollow in Port Askaig" till the winds die down...

@protected tweet Some idiot in camper van parked on Pt Charlotte pier. Watching waves breaking over pier? Hope won't get swept off pier..

@nessiefuery Someone's lost their phone service telephone wires blowing free on the high road

@islayshipping Ach its a nice day here on islay-folk are scared off a gust of wind

@islayian Power has been on off 3 times now

@jezhastings @twmp don't fancy a quick ride to Debbie's then?

@bbcscotweather 91 mph gust recorded in Tiree.

@metofficestorms Peak wind gust at Aonach Mor 137 mph. Note, gusts at highland sites usually much higher than those at lowland sites.

@RusselPollock @islayian Was a little stupid, went to see the waves coming in along the Port Ellen front. Got hit, a blast of salty water a good 8m away?

A special mention goes out to Andrew Jackson he is very actively taking pictures, including the one in this post, and he has just posted some videos of bowmore and the storm (below). Well done Andrew, but try to be careful out there!

Tag: weather storm