Storm Boelo floods Glasgow station, disrupts Scottish rail network

Widespread damage and speed restrictions follow gusts of up to 85mph

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Illustration: Storm Boelo floods Glasgow station, disrupts Scottish rail network

Storm Boelo caused widespread disruption across Scotland's rail network overnight and into Sunday, flooding a station in Glasgow, downing trees and damaging overhead wires. Network Rail said flood pumps at Dalmarnock station had cleared the water by 11am, but the storm has forced the closure of several routes across the country.

The Met Office issued an amber wind warning for much of Scotland until 9pm Sunday, with Orkney under a yellow warning. Gusts of up to 85mph were recorded in Machrahanish, Argyll, with widespread speeds of 60 to 70mph. Network Rail Scotland reported a flooded culvert at Craigendoran, fallen trees at Partick and damage to overhead wires at Bishopton.

Several rail routes remain closed. The Oban and Mallaig lines have been suspended since 10pm Saturday. The line between Kyle of Lochalsh and Achnashellach in the Highlands, and the railway between Wick and Helmsdale, were closed from the start of service on Sunday. A tree blocked the railway between Stewarton and Dunlop, affecting Glasgow Central to Kilmarnock services. Another tree blocked the Glasgow Queen Street to Alloa line, with services terminating at Stirling.

Speed restrictions remain in place across much of the network, causing longer journey times and potential cancellations. Restrictions on the line between Inverness and Wick could continue into Monday morning. ScotRail advised passengers to only travel if necessary and to check their entire journey before setting off. 'Storm Boelo continues to cause significant disruption across Scotland's railway, with several routes across the country still closed,' ScotRail said in a statement. 'On routes that are open, our advice remains to only travel if necessary. If you do need to travel, please check your entire journey before setting off and allow plenty of extra time.'

Passengers holding tickets for travel on Sunday can use them on Monday at no extra cost.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

Thousands of passengers travelling across Scotland face significant disruption to their Sunday plans, with speed restrictions causing long delays and several complete route closures.
The damage highlights the vulnerability of the rail network to severe weather, with incidents including flooding, fallen trees and damaged overhead wires.
Disruption could continue into Monday, particularly for services on the Inverness to Wick line where speed restrictions may remain in place.

Background

Scotland regularly implements precautionary speed restrictions and closures during high winds and heavy rain. Storm Boelo prompted the Met Office to issue amber and yellow wind warnings before arriving overnight on Saturday. The disruption across the network reflects the severity of the conditions forecast.

Key Perspectives

Met Office: Warned of strong winds across Scotland, with an amber warning in place until 9pm Sunday and gusts of 85mph recorded in western areas. Network Rail Scotland: Reported significant damage across multiple sites, including a flooded station, a flooded culvert, fallen trees and damaged overhead wires, with safety inspections and repairs underway. ScotRail: Advised passengers to avoid non-essential travel on Sunday, warning that speed restrictions and closures would cause significant delays, and offered passengers the flexibility to travel on Monday instead.

What to Watch

Whether the amber wind warning lifts as scheduled at 9pm Sunday, allowing services to resume.
The progress of repairs to damaged overhead wires and the clearance of flooded infrastructure.
The status of speed restrictions on the Inverness to Wick line ahead of the Monday morning commute.

Sources

Train station in Glasgow flooded amid Storm Boelo damage · STV News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedStorm Boelo flooded a station in Glasgow.STV News: “A train station in Glasgow was flooded overnight as Storm Boelo brings widespread disruption across Scotland.”
SupportedStorm Boelo disrupted Scotland’s rail network.STV News: “A train station in Glasgow was flooded overnight as Storm Boelo brings widespread disruption across Scotland.”
Partly supportedThe storm caused widespread damage across Scotland’s rail network.STV News: “Damage across Scotland’s railway included a flooded culvert at Craigendoran, fallen trees at Partick and damage to overhead wires at Bishopton.”
SupportedGusts of up to 85mph were recorded in Machrahanish, with 60–70mph gusts recorded widely.STV News: “wind speeds of 85mph recorded in Machrahanish. ... 60-70mph gusts were recorded widely”
SupportedAn amber wind warning applied to much of Scotland until 9pm Sunday, while Orkney remained under a yellow warning.STV News: “An amber wind warning came into force at 9pm on Saturday and will remain in place until 9pm on Sunday, with only Orkney remaining under a yellow warning.”
SupportedStorm Boelo caused widespread disruption across Scotland’s rail network overnight and into Sunday.STV News: “A train station in Glasgow was flooded overnight as Storm Boelo brings widespread disruption across Scotland.”
SupportedScotRail said, “Storm Boelo continues to cause significant disruption across Scotland’s railway, with several routes across the country still closed.”STV News: ““Storm Boelo continues to cause significant disruption across Scotland’s railway, with several routes across the country still closed,” ScotRail said in a social media post on Sunday afternoon.”
SupportedScotRail said, “On routes that are open, our advice remains to only travel if necessary. If you do need to travel, please check your entire journey before setting off and allow plenty of extra time.”STV News: ““On routes that are open, our advice remains to only travel if necessary. If you do need to travel, please check your entire journey before setting off and allow plenty of extra time.”
Partly supportedScotRail made the quoted remarks in a statement.STV News: “ScotRail said in a social media post on Sunday afternoon.”
Partly supportedThe Oban and Mallaig lines had been suspended since 10pm Saturday.STV News: “the Oban and Mallaig lines closed from about 10pm.”
Partly supportedA tree blocked the railway between Stewarton and Dunlop, affecting Glasgow Central to Kilmarnock services.STV News: “services between Glasgow Central and Kilmarnock may be delayed or revised due to a tree blocking the railway between Stewarton and Dunlop.”
SupportedRestrictions on the Inverness–Wick line could continue into Monday morning.STV News: “with the potential for restrictions to remain in place on the line between Inverness and Wick into Monday morning.”