Storm

With severe gales forecast along the west coast of Scotland tonight, the wind and sea were already showing signs of agitation this morning - this picture taken at 11.30, with, in the distance, a light dusting of snow on the peak of Ben Hiant. There's already a heavy fall of snow beyond Glencoe and over Rannoch Moor, blown in by gale-force winds, making the roads treacherous enough to cause accidents.

Early this afternoon the village gathered at the Parish Church to pay tribute, and say a last farewell to Laurie Colquhoun, who died on Saturday. Rosie MacLachlan, a close friend of the family and the Chairman of West Ardnamurchan Community Council, gave the eulogy to a packed congregation. As the mourners gathered afterwards in the Community Centre for soup and an excellent buffet, it was announced that the Corran Ferry had ceased operating in rapidly deteriorating conditions.

By three this afternoon the gale was coming in, the highest wind speed recorded so far in our front garden being 99kph, over 60mph. In very high winds the sea is grey-green, and has a strangely flattened, beaten look, with the whitecaps on the waves being blown off to cover the scene in a thin spray.

The forecast is for the weather to deteriorate further, with the highest winds, estimated at force 10, due around midnight.