AS STORM Amy arrived, the first named storm of the new season, the Met Office issued an amber wind warning as gusts of up to 80mph were recorded in some exposed areas across the local region.
The storm caused widespread disruption to ferry services and Police Scotland warned of flooding, power outages, and hazardous driving conditions.
Emergency services were called out to a fire between Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle on Friday night, after an electricity outage caused a break in the mains supply for both villages.
Crews from Lochgoilhead Community Fire Station responded swiftly and brought the situation under control. Power was later restored to affected properties.
On the Isle of Bute, several roads were left impassable due to fallen trees, with council teams and locals working throughout the weekend to clear debris.
In a heart-warming moment, two orphaned baby pigeons (squabs) were rescued by volunteers from Bute Animal Rescue and Rehoming, after they were found during the high winds. The birds were taken indoors, kept warm, and are now said to be feeding well.
With continued wet weather and an ongoing yellow weather warning, the Rest and Be Thankful remained closed until Sunday, with traffic diverted along the Old Military Road.
The Multi-Agency Response Team, based at the Traffic Scotland National Control Centre, operated throughout the storm, coordinating the response and monitoring real-time conditions.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop urged the public to plan ahead, and Chief Superintendent Scott McCarren, head of Road Policing, issued additional warnings for motorists.
In Sandbank and Strone heavy flooding was reported with shore roads in both areas impassable in places, leaving some motorists stranded.
With storm season now underway, key advice from the Met Office, Traffic Scotland and Police Scotland is to remember that amber warnings mean there is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, while yellow warnings indicate a risk of disruption.
Always follow official advice and avoid taking unnecessary risks and plan ahead for the next expected storm of the season, which will be named by the Met Office as Storm Bram.
