Gusts of 82mph were recorded at Kirkwall on Orkney and at South Uist in the Outer Hebrides.

Virgin Media O2 has installed a communications mast on South Uist as part of a £1bn UK project.

Repairs to MV Caledonian Isles could take another 10 days, and a new ferry being built in Turkey has also been delayed.

MV Hebridean Isles will join the busy service, but redeployments will have a knock-on effect on South Uist.

Western Isles Council is to phase in the change which will see lights go off at 22:00.

Ministers are considering a direct award to the Scottish government-owned operator without a competitive tendering process.

The prickly creatures, which pose a threat to nesting birds, first appeared in the isles 50 years ago.

High salaries are on offer to bring doctors and teachers to Scotland's most beautiful remote communities.