Storm Boelo has disrupted rail services across Scotland starting the evening of Saturday, October 24, 2026, with wind gusts up to 80 mph expected along coastal and northern areas. ScotRail announced severe interruptions including widespread speed restrictions and precautionary line closures to protect passengers and staff during the extreme weather.
Rail Closures Across Scotland
Several critical routes will be completely closed during peak storm conditions. From 9pm Saturday, services between Glasgow Central and Ayr will suspend travel between Kilwinning and Ayr. At 10pm, the Glasgow Queen Street to Oban and Mallaig line will close between Fort William and Mallaig, as well as Crianlarich and
Oban.
On Sunday morning at the start of service, the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh route will be closed between Kyle of Lochalsh and Achnashellach. Concurrently, the Inverness to Wick and Thurso line will shut from Helmsdale to the northern termini. These closures are planned to remain until safety inspections can be completed.
Safety Inspections and Speed Restrictions
Network Rail engineers will perform daylight safety checks on affected lines before reopening, inspecting for hazards such as flooding, fallen trees, or structural damage. Train speeds on other parts of the network will be drastically reduced due to blanket speed restrictions starting late Saturday night and lasting
throughout Sunday.
The Far North Line between Inverness and Wick and Thurso may see speed limits extended until Monday morning, reflecting the severity of weather conditions in the region.
Ticket Flexibility and Travel Advice
To ease passenger disruption, ScotRail introduced temporary ticket flexibility for the weekend. Tickets valid for Saturday or Sunday travel can be used anytime on Saturday prior to the storm or after affected routes reopen, including Monday.
Customers are urged to check route status immediately before travelling and to allow extra time for journeys. ScotRail has also updated its mobile application to provide accurate, real-time service updates and encourages all travelers to
use it for planning.
Official Statements and Industry Context
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: “Safety is always our top priority, and with Storm Boelo expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain across Scotland this weekend, we’re preparing for disruption to our train services.” He added, “We know this will be frustrating for customers, particularly those with plans to travel over the weekend, but these precautionary measures are essential to keep everyone safe.”
Ilderton emphasized that planned reopening times depend on completing safety checks. He urged passengers to update to the latest ScotRail app version and verify journey details prior to setting off.
Beyond Scotland, the storm has also caused disruptions in Lancashire, Cumbria, and the North West of England, with rail operators warning of cancellations and delays in those regions.
Passenger Recommendations
Travellers are advised to monitor ScotRail communications closely due to short-notice cancellations and extended journey times caused by weather-related speed restrictions. Those intending to use services between the impacted routes should consider alternative travel options or use the ticket flexibility offered.
Detailed route status and updates will be available via the ScotRail mobile app and official website. Passengers are recommended to download the updated app version released on October 24 to access
real-time travel information.
