Tag: recovery

Recovering from Storm Éowyn

First Minister thanks people for patience as recovery operation continues

A further meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) was chaired by First Minister John Swinney last night to coordinate the recovery response to Storm Éowyn.  

Due to the severity and impact of the storm, there is significant disruption to parts of the country. This includes around 35,000 properties without power and continued transport disruption with road closures and rail, bus, flight and ferry cancellations. It is expected to take some time to get all services fully restored.   

Utility companies, national agencies and local authorities are working at pace to restore power and assess the impact, including responding to significant damage, removing fallen trees and debris, to ensure services can fully resume in the coming days.   

The First Minister joined a Ministerial COBR meeting chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden earlier on Saturday evening. The First Minister also spoke with the Prime Minister to discuss the ongoing response to Storm Éowyn and the impact on Scotland.

First Minister John Swinney said:  “I want to thank everyone who followed Police Scotland advice not to travel and express my sincere gratitude to the emergency services and to those working in the public, private and third sector who are continuing to support people and communities across the country.   

 “With yellow warnings in place for wind, snow and ice over the weekend, it is clear the severity of Storm Éowyn will continue into next week and this will have an impact on the speed at which utilities and local services can fully resume.  

 “Given the damage and disruption facing the network across the United Kingdom, utility companies are under significant pressure and are working in challenging conditions.

“I have stressed the importance of getting power restored as quickly as is practically possible and have been assured that assessments are being made at pace to ensure power is restored to affected properties in Scotland as soon as possible.

“Alongside our partners, Ministers are being updated regularly and ensuring all steps are being taken. 

“I am pleased at the progress made to restore power to many communities over the course of today however a significant number of properties remain without power. Utility companies are continuing to provide support to customers, including ensuring provisions are in place for the most vulnerable.   

“I want to thank people for their continued patience and encourage them to take extra care and look out for each other, particularly those who are supporting vulnerable neighbours and family members.  

“As we look ahead to Monday, partners are working at pace to ensure services can resume next week. Local authorities – who are responsible for school closures – will be working to ensure all buildings meet the required safety standards to reopen safely to pupils. We would expect decisions on schools to be clearly communicated by local authorities to parents, pupils and staff, with as much advance warning as possible, and would encourage all parents to follow that advice. 

 “People should prepare for continued disruption, especially in areas that have been impacted by a loss of power, and I encourage everyone to follow advice being issued by local authorities, as well as continuing to follow updates from national agencies.”  

  • SGoRR was attended by the Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Justice and Home Affairs Secretary Angela Contance, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, Rural Affairs and Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon, Acting Net Zero and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Angus Robertson. They were joined by representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, SEPA, transport and utilities companies and resilience partners.
  • The latest Met Office weather warnings are available on the Met Office website.
     
  • Flood alerts are issued by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and can be viewed on their website. 
  • Advice on preparing for severe weather can be found on the Ready Scotland website.

  • Follow Traffic Scotland for the most up-to-date information on the trunk roads throughout the warning periods, via their website, social media channels and radio broadcasts. Updates on ScotRail services and road conditions are available online. 
  • To report a power cut or damage to electricity power lines or substations call the SP Networks national Freephone number 105. More information on what to do during a storm can also be found on SP Energy Website.
  • During a power cut firefighters can be called to fires started by candles or portable heaters. For advice on how to stay safe during a power cut visit Scottish Fire and Rescue Website.   

Storm Éowyn has passed through but disruption continues

MORE THAN 100,000 SCOTTISH HOMES ARE WITHOUT POWER

The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) met again last night to co-ordinate the response to Storm Éowyn.

First Minister John Swinney chaired the meeting and has asked people to continue to follow Police Scotland advice and avoid travel in areas covered by the amber weather warning, which ran to 2300 in the southern half of Scotland and 0600 in the northern half.

Current impacts include:

  • Around 106,000 properties without power 
  • Continuing transport disruption with road closures and rail, bus, flight and ferry cancellations

First Minister John Swinney said last night: “Storm Éowyn continues to cause significant impacts on transport and power networks. Amber warnings for wind remain in place for much of the country, while there are warnings for wind, snow and ice tonight and tomorrow. 

“Across the area covered by the red warning road usage has been about 85% less than normal, and that is thanks to so many people heeding the advice not to travel.

“Police advice remains to avoid travel in areas covered by amber warnings, with wind particularly challenging for HGVs, and given the level of fallen trees and debris it will take some time for roads to fully reopen.

“Similarly, rail and air travel has been heavily impacted and people should check their planned journeys before setting off. This will not be a quick return to normal.

“Power cuts are affecting a significant number of properties, and while utilities companies are working hard to reconnect supply in the face of challenging conditions, this will undoubtedly take some time to complete. Companies are focused on supporting their most vulnerable customers and I’d urge everyone to be patient, take extra care and look out for each other.

“Given the levels of damage I expect the recovery and clear up operation will take some time, and I thank all of the emergency services and workers who are supporting people and dealing with this difficult situation.”

SGoRR was attended by the Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Justice and Home Affairs Secretary Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray; Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, Rural Affairs and Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon, Acting Net Zero and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin and Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie.

They were joined by representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, SEPA, transport and utilities companies and resilience partners. 

The latest Met Office weather warnings are available on the Met Office website.  

Flood alerts are issued by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and can be viewed on their website.   

Advice on preparing for severe weather can be found on the Ready Scotland website.   

Follow Traffic Scotland for the most up-to-date information on the trunk roads throughout the warning periods, via their website, social media channels and radio broadcasts. Updates on ScotRail services and road conditions are available online.   

To report a power cut or damage to electricity power lines or substations call the SP Networks national Freephone number 105. More information on what to do during a storm can also be found on SP Energy Website. 

During a power cut firefighters can be called to fires started by candles or portable heaters. For advice on how to stay safe during a power cut visit Scottish Fire and Rescue Website.  

BBC ALBA AIRS NEW DOCUMENTARY ON STRUGGLES WITH ADDICTION

The latest episode of BBC ALBA’s award-winning Eòrpa current affairs programme sees journalist Ruairidh Maciver marking 10 years of sobriety. In a powerful, personal, and thought-provoking programme, Ruairidh takes us from his childhood in the village of Brue in the west coast of Lewis, into adulthood, and a series of struggles with addiction to alcohol and drugs.

The report contains reflections from friends and family who have known him during this time, as well as those who he met along the way and were instrumental in his journey to recovery.

Since sobriety, addiction dealt another cruel blow to Ruairidh and his family, with the tragic and untimely death of his brother Alasdair in 2022 due to alcohol and drugs. Ruairidh reflects on this painful time and meets one of Alasdair’s closest friends, to remember his brother’s life.

Eòrpa: Recovery also brings together expert testimony from the world of science, academia, and outreach organisations who strive to minimise the effects, and understand the nature of drug and alcohol use in Scotland’s communities. With the festive season approaching, and with it a temptation to consume more alcohol, this is a time of year when worries about problem drinking can grow.

Ruairidh has known his friend Joanne Havinden since childhood.

Reflecting on Ruairidh’s addiction in his teens, she told him: “My memory of you when we were wee – you were so happy.

“And, you know, you were so good at word games and jokes and puns and making up stupid songs and all that kind of thing. 

“And you stopped doing that sort of stuff and you were unhappy. You were really sad. You know, it was just like watching an out-of-control train and we didn’t know what to do to help.”

Kenny Trainer is the Project Manager at the Bluevale Community Club in Haghill and Dennistoun. It started off as a boxing club, but has expanded, with volunteers now helping with a variety of social issues nearby.

Asked if things had moved on since a joint visit in 2021 by then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and then Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross, Kenny told Ruairidh: “To be honest with you, probably not.

“I think that, politics as politics go, they want to point fingers at each other and blame each other and say that one is better than the other, when realistically a lot of the time they are the exact same while nothing really changes and they’ve got the power to make it change.”

This is the first time Ruairidh has spoken publicly about his past issues with alcohol and drugs, and of his journey through recovery.

Reflecting on making this special edition of Eòrpa, Ruairidh said: “It’s vital that we have an open, compassionate and non-judgemental conversation about where things stand with alcohol and drugs in Scotland today.

“Addiction is something that could affect any person and any family. The reason I wanted to make this programme is that I’ve reached a stage in my recovery where I feel ready to add to that conversation and share some of my own experience.

“My journey brought me into contact with many individuals and organisations who helped me and it was a privilege to be able to go back and speak to some of them. Everything I have in my life today is rooted in the sobriety that they helped me to achieve.

“If this programme can offer hope to anyone struggling with addiction, or encourage them to seek support, it will have been worthwhile.”

Eòrpa is BBC ALBA’s flagship current affairs programme, covering a variety of domestic and European stories.

Eòrpa: Recovery will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC ALBA at 9.00pm on Wednesday 27 November (in Gaelic with English subtitles). Watch live or on demand: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006mvwb/eorpa

Views sought on Bill which would give people with addictions the right to receive treatment in law

HOLYROOD’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee is seeking views on a Bill which would enshrine the rights of persons addicted to drugs or alcohol to receive treatment for their addiction.

The Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 15 May 2024 by Douglas Ross MSP.

The Bill would provide people who have been diagnosed by a health professional as addicted to either alcohol or drugs, or both, to be provided with treatment. Those diagnosed would have a say in what treatment they receive and the treatment would be made available to them within three weeks of treatment diagnosis.

If a health professional decided no treatment is appropriate, or that the treatment which the person wants is not appropriate, then they must inform the individual in writing why this is the case.

Individuals could seek a second opinion from a different health professional if they did not agree with the original decision.

Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, said: “The tragic impact of alcohol and drug addiction is clear and is an issue this Committee takes extremely seriously.

“We’re keen to hear views on whether people agree with the purpose and extent of the Bill and whether it will help those facing drug and alcohol addiction.  We want to know what the key advantages and/or disadvantages are of placing this right to receive treatment, for people with drug and alcohol addiction, in law.

“We also want to hear views on the proposed procedure for determining treatment, and timescales for providing treatment.

“We want to hear from individuals, charities and support groups who work in this area, health organisations, local and national government, the legal sector and academics. We look forward to hearing your views.”

The call for views closes on 20 December.

More funding to support residential rehabilitation placements

New initiatives to increase access to residential rehabilitation across Scotland which will be able to support more than 100 residential rehab placements have been introduced.

Local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) that are experiencing high demand will be able to access extra funding from the new £2 million Scottish Government Residential Rehabilitation Additional Placement Fund (APF).

In addition, a national online service directory will also provide an up-to-date nationwide list of residential rehabilitation providers for the first time.

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Christina McKelvie said: “A recent PHS publication found we are on track to meet our commitment of 1,000 people receiving public funding for residential rehab but we want to do more and we are working hard to remove potential barriers to people accessing it.

“Those working in ADPs have helped design this approach, which complements a range of other residential rehabilitation projects supported by the Scottish Government.

“This demand-led fund will allow ADPs that need the greatest number of placements to draw down on additional funding for these when they need it – helping ensure funding is targeted at those areas which face the biggest challenges in meeting demand and where help is needed the most.

“The online directory of providers will also make it easier for people to access placements. It will help professionals in the sector as well as empowering individuals and their loved ones to access quality residential rehabilitation and identify the service best placed to support them.”

The rehab.scot site contains an up-to-date list of accredited participating residential rehabilitation providers across the country, as well as associated support services, guidance on accessing rehab and a section on lived-experience rehab journeys.

The fund will be delivered by third-sector partners Scotland Excel.

LEAP-Edinburgh-Pathway-v-0.5Download

Corra grant awarded to develop new Women’s Recovery House

Cyrenians, NHS Lothians LEAP, and Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership have been successful in a recent Corra Foundation grant bid to develop and implement a Women’s Recovery House in Edinburgh.

The House, for patients moving on from residential recovery in the LEAP program, offers women who do not have a safe home to return to the opportunity to continue their recovery supported by their peers.

The first of its kind in Edinburgh, the house creates a level playing field for women, who until this point have had limited options available upon completing the 12 week LEAP programme.

Amy Hutton, Director of Services at Cyrenians said, “This is a fantastic step forward in supporting the recovery community, particularly women who have been underserved in this area for quite some time.

‘We know, from experience, that highly traumatised women don’t fare well in standard service delivery environments, so to be able to offer a bespoke, safe home, truly is groundbreaking.

‘Men in Edinburgh completing the LEAP programme have benefited from a similar model for many years, so this new Women’s House really levels the playing field and helps us continue providing peer support to women who otherwise would be isolated in their recovery.”

This new funding not only allows the partnership to provide accommodation beyond the LEAP programme, but will also support the development of a Wellbeing Coordinator, providing assistance to patients throughout the LEAP programme and during their stay at the Recovery House.

Viki Fox, LEAP Manager for Cyrenians added: “The number of women attending our LEAP programme has been increasing year on year. To have this move on option available for those who would otherwise be discharged into an unsafe home, or indeed, homelessness, is a fantastic step forward to improving their quality of life and ability to stay in recovery.

‘By providing additional support through our wellbeing coordinator we will be able to offer practical and emotional support that will help build self-esteem and independence.

‘Recovery is only the first step – learning to live again beyond addiction takes time, and without support can feel overwhelming and thankless. The support from Corra Foundation allows us to address this need directly, and ultimately will provide women in Edinburgh the chance to rebuild their lives on their own terms.”

Wishaw woman lays out “miracle recovery” after stroke at 70

Veronica Murphy, 70, from Wishaw in North Lanarkshire, is calling for every stroke survivor to get the chance of recovery that she did. Veronica received life-changing rehabilitation treatment after a serious brain haemorrhage in December last year.

Veronica’s call for action comes as the Stroke Association’s ‘Thriving after stroke’ report, published today, urges Health Boards to urgently deliver on government plans to enhance recovery after stroke.

Veronica said: “It was my birthday party on the day I had my stroke. My daughter noticed that there was something wrong with my speech so dialled 999, whereupon I was taken to the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Glasgow.

“At this point, I couldn’t swallow or move the right side of my body. I was very poorly, and don’t remember much. The doctors couldn’t say what kind of recovery I was going to make, and it must have been hard for my family.”

Veronica was transferred to University Hospital Wishaw, where she was put on a clinical trial and spent 10 weeks undergoing intensive physiotherapy. 

She continued: “At first my family couldn’t see any improvement. But then one of my fingers moved, and it gave them a glimmer of hope.

“From then on there was no stopping me. I learnt how to stand, took my first step then gradually more with the support of a rail. My physios were amazing and put so much work into helping me.  

“On leaving hospital I was given a plan detailing my goals for returning home. I was assigned a community nurse who checked up on me, noted my progress, and left her phone number asking me to call with any questions, at any time. I continued to get regular home visits from the physiotherapist and occupational therapist, and have achieved my goals of climbing the stairs, making a meal, and walking outside with help from my physio if needed.”

John Watson, Associate Director for Scotland the Stroke Association said: “Life after stroke support is a crucial, but under-provided, part of a stroke survivor’s recovery, helping them to regain independence, communicate, return to work, and deal with the emotional trauma that comes from stroke. 

“Core rehabilitation therapies, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, are complemented by other forms of support to address longer-term practical, social and emotional needs that many stroke survivors have. 

“Veronica’s experience shows how access to good stroke rehabilitation can be life changing. Unfortunately, we hear too many stories of stroke survivors leaving hospital not knowing what happens next, or where to turn. 

Stroke is a leading cause of disability in Scotland, and there are over 130,000 stroke survivors living with the effects of stroke, many with ongoing support needs. 

John continued: “Crucially this investment in people’s recovery saves money by helping stroke survivors regain their independence and reducing ongoing support needs.

“It has never been more important than now, to get life after stroke support right.”

The Stroke Association want to ensure every stroke survivor should:

  1. Leave hospital with a personalised rehabilitation plan. 
  • To maximise the benefit of post-hospital support, every stroke survivor should have their own rehabilitation plan. This should be agreed with the patient and their family or carers and issued before leaving hospital.   
  1. Have contact information for ongoing support from stroke services. 
  • Every stroke survivor should have continuity of contact for their recovery from an experienced stroke professional who is familiar with them.
  1. Receive a review of their progress and needs six months after their stroke. 
  • Almost two thirds of stroke survivors leave hospital with a disability, with their needs evolving throughout their recovery. It is therefore vital they receive post-stroke reviews to identify these changes and plan further support or intervention. 

Scotland’s Stroke Improvement Plan (2023) points to key pillars of holistic rehabilitation incorporating life after stroke support, including:  

  • Personalised care and support  
  • Patients and practitioners work jointly towards agreed goals      
  • Support to overcome communication and other difficulties affecting patient capacity for decision-making    
  • Psychological and emotional support     
  • Six-month reviews carried out by a healthcare professional knowledgeable and experienced in stroke and familiar with the patient        
  • Consideration of those with caring responsibilities. 

Dr Matt Lambert, National Clinical Lead for Stroke and Specialty Advisor to the Chief Medical Officer: “What distinguishes stroke from other neurological conditions is the capacity for recovery. We know that getting the right support, in the right amounts, for as long as it is needed, makes all the difference.

“I want to see every stroke survivor resume their life with enhanced capacity, and with reduced need for ongoing support.

“This clearly benefits those who have had a stroke but also reduces their longer-term dependency on relatives, carers and health and social care services which benefits society more widely.”   

Veronica concluded:“More recently, I am thrilled to report that I am now able to walk and pick up my four-year-old grandson, Nathan, from nursery!

“My family means everything to me. Without their support, and the specialist support from NHS Lanarkshire, I don’t know if I would be as well as I am today.

“If there was more investment in stroke rehabilitation, there would be less people requiring support, enabling them to work and be part of their community. It’s a win-win situation. I hope health boards can get on with meeting the commitments in the stroke plan and look forward to seeing Scotland leading in this area.”

NHS Lothian’s LEAP programme hires ‘peer bridgers’ to ease access to rehab services

The Lothians & Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP) has become the first rehabilitation service in Scotland to hire people with lived experience to bridge the gap between community treatment and rehab.

LEAP, run by NHS Lothian and partners, is the only therapeutic community rehabilitation for alcohol and other drug dependencies offered by the NHS in Scotland.

Before the launch of this programme, the service was supported by volunteers with addiction and recovery experience but now officially employees six Peer Bridgers.

Peer Bridgers are people with lived experience of addiction and recovery whose role is to support others through rehabilitation and help improve outcomes. 

Recruitment began earlier this year, with the most recent bridger joining in June 2023.

Phil Hayes (above, right) is one of the new Peer Bridgers now employed by LEAP.

Phil suffered from substance misuse issues earlier in his life but, thanks to a community programme, moved into recovery over 20 years ago.

Since then, he spent several years learning about the behaviours that led to his own issues around addiction.

Phil said: “I think society in general views recovery as either unattainable or a continual hard slog of fighting your inner demons day in, day out. I want to be able to show people that isn’t the case.

“With the right support and guidance, as well as some honest hard work, anyone can move completely into recovery and be both happy and of value within their wider community.

“The peer bridging project allows me, and the rest of the team, to engage with people from the moment they decide to change their lives.

“We can provide continuity of support and guidance for them to build a life for themselves outside of addiction.”

Recently published research has shown that residential rehabilitation programmes, like LEAP, are effective in reducing the use of substances and have a positive impact on the overall health and quality of life of those with substance use issues.

Research also shows that positive changes in behaviour after residential rehabilitation can be maintained over time.

David McCartney, Clinical Lead for LEAP, said: “Tackling Scotland’s drug and alcohol-related deaths and improving outcomes from substance misuse treatments, including residential rehabilitation, is a national priority.

“LEAP is a unique programme in Scotland. In other areas, the road to rehab can be much more complicated so we’re very lucky in Lothian to have this service.

“There are few people in Scotland whose lives are untouched by the harms of addiction, whether experienced by individuals, their families, friends or colleagues – addiction affects us all.

“We support our service- users through medical and psychosocial interventions within a therapeutic community setting, giving individuals an opportunity to heal from trauma and addiction and continuing to support them after treatment.”

LEAP is part of the services provided by the Addiction Treatment and Recovery Care Directorate in NHS Lothian and is delivered in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, the Cyrenians, Encompass and Alcohol and Drug Partnerships.

The service is funded thanks to both Scottish Government as well as the Alcohol and Drug Partnerships.

New measures to boost hospitality and town centre recovery

Hospitality businesses will be able to place tables and chairs on the pavement outside their premises without submitting a planning application under measures expected to come into force at the end of next month.

Strong support was expressed in a public consultation for the extension of permitted development rights to enable more cafés, bars and restaurants to offer outdoor eating and drinking. Regulations to implement the measures were laid in the Scottish Parliament on Friday 10 February for approval by MSPs.

Councils will, however, retain powers to prevent and deal with obstructions that make it difficult for people to access pavements safely and effectively, for example people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments, or families with children in pushchairs.

The 12-week consultation also backed the relaxation of planning rules for the conversion of certain premises into cafes, restaurants, or small-scale offices, as well as the installation of larger electric vehicle charging equipment in car parks. If approved by Parliament, all these measures would be allowed under certain circumstances without the need for a planning application.

Planning Minister Tom Arthur said: “These measures will support Scotland’s town and city centre businesses to thrive.

“More flexible use of outdoor space can help the hospitality industry recover from the pandemic and cost crisis, while making city and town centres more attractive and welcoming.

“The important safeguards for councils seek to ensure that no one should be prevented from using pavements and visiting town and city centres safely. A more streamlined approach to changes of use can help businesses respond more rapidly to shifting circumstances, support reuse of vacant premises and encourage the return of workers and shoppers to our town and city centres.

“Simplifying planning rules for electric vehicle chargers will support the roll-out of infrastructure across Scotland as part of our commitment to tackling climate change and making Scotland a Net Zero nation.

“These measures will help deliver our ambition to create a fairer, greener and wealthier Scotland, by making places more attractive for people to live, work and visit.”

Flood recovery underway

A clean-up operation is underway following heavy rainfall and flooding across parts of Scotland over the weekend.

Several severe weather warnings were issued for the North East by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) on Friday, with a month’s rain falling in some areas and record high river flows.

These were downgraded on Saturday as the situation improved; however, several flood warnings remain with a yellow weather warning in place for a large part of eastern Scotland.

People who lost power during the flooding events have had it restored and a normal rail service has resumed. Local resilience partners on the ground continue to support communities.

Over the weekend, Network Rail has continued to check routes to get them back to normal. Advice remains to check with your operator to see if your service is affected. Some roads remain impacted by flooding and drivers should pay attention to the conditions at hand.  Traffic Scotland provides regular updates on the trunk road network and Police Scotland continues to warn of possible disruption.

The Scottish Government’s resilience arrangements remain activated to ensure appropriate measures are in place.

Justice Secretary and lead Minister for resilience Keith Brown said: “This was a serious flood event similar in magnitude to 2016’s Storm Frank, causing significant disruption in some parts of the country.

“As the clean-up gets underway, I want to thank local resilience partners and the emergency services for their ongoing work to ensure those communities most affected are kept safe, and urgently get the support they need.

“We still have flood warnings in place so please take extra care if you are out and about and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water. The conditions continue to cause some disruption to the transport network – so it’s important people plan their journeys before they set off – particularly if they are looking to use the trunk roads or travel by rail.

“We remain in close contact with resilience partners, local authorities and the emergency services to ensure people in the affected areas receive the latest information, advice and support where needed.”

Vincent Fitzsimons, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said: “Across Sunday and into next week we’ll see intermittent showers as the clear-up continues.  Recent days have shown real resilience from families, communities, businesses and partners across the country with how they responded. 

“Localised surface water flooding of land and transport routes remains possible.  Take extra care, sign up for SEPA’s free Floodline service and don’t attempt to walk or drive through flood water.”

SEPA issues flood alerts and warnings for Scotland. View the latest updates on its website.

Updates on ScotRail services and road conditions are available online.

Advice on preparing for severe weather can be found on the Ready Scotland website.