Storm Éowyn forces school closures across Scotland after red weather warning issued - see full list
The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for Scotland with Storm Éowyn set to hammer the country tomorrow. An Atlantic jet stream is pushing the "dangerous" weatherfront to the UK's shores in the early hours of Friday, January 24.
The national forecaster has put a number of weather alerts in place over the coming days, with the entire UK covered by at least one warning. The red weather warning is the most extreme that can be issued, as the Met Office predicts it has a high likelihood and will have a high impact.
Storm Éowyn's galeforce blasts are expected to reach up to 100mph in some areas and cause "very dangerous conditions and significant disruption". The red alert is in place from 10am on Friday, January 24, until 5pm that day.
READ MORE: Storm Éowyn in Scotland LIVE as trains cancelled and schools set to close amid red weather warning
READ MORE: ScotRail cancels ALL trains in Scotland as Storm Éowyn set to batter country
The warning area stretches from Eyemouth on the east coast to the Isle of Mull off the west coast and down to the southwestern tip of the country past Stranraer. The majority of the Central Belt is within the danger zone, including Glasgow and Edinburgh.
This means millions of Scots have to brace themselves for the "danger to life" that Storm Éowyn will bring. And as the extreme alert is in place for most of the middle of the day, several councils have taken action and announce their schools will be closed on Friday.
Earlier this morning, East Ayrshire Council confirmed all their schools and early learning centres would be shut. In a statement, the local authority said: "This is a difficult decision to take and the Council understands the impact on parents and carers, however the safety of children and young people is paramount."
This was followed by East Lothian, with Head of Education at the council, Nicola McDowell, writing to parents and carers to inform them of the decision, which was made on "essential safety grounds". And Glasgow City Council then confirmed all schools and nurseries in the country's biggest local authority would also be closed.
Other councils have since followed suit. Read below to see which councils have decided to close their doors.
Full list of school closures in Scotland on Friday, January 24
Aberdeenshire Council
On the council website, the following schools are listed as closed to everyone:
Aberchirder Primary School, Aboyne Academy, Alehousewells School, Alford Academy, Alford Primary School, Anna Ritchie School, Arduthie School, Arnage School, Auchenblae School, Auchterless School,
Ballater School, Ballogie School, Banchory Academy, Banchory Primary School, Banff Academy, Banff Primary School, Barthol Chapel Schoolc, Brevie School, Boddam School, Bracoden School, Braemar School, Buchanhaven Primary School, Burnhaven School
Carronhill School, Catterline School, Clerkhill School, Craigievar School, Crathie School, Crimond School, Crossroads Nursery - Durris, Crudie School, Cultercullen School
Dales Park School, Drumlade School, Drumoak School, Dunnottar School, Durris School
Echt School, Ellon Academy, Ellon Primary School
Fettercairn School, Fintry School - Turriff, Finzean School, Fordyce School, Foveran School, Fraserburgh Academy (North and South Park closed), Fyvie School
Glenbervie School, Gordan Primary School, Gourdon School Greenacres Nursey
Hill of Banchory School
Inverallochy School, Inverurie Academy
Kellands School, Kemnay Academy, Kincardine O'Neil School, King Edward School
Lairhillock School, Laurencekirk School, Lochpots School, Logie Coldstone School, Longside School, Lumphanan School, Lumsden School, Luthermuir School
Macduff Primary School, Mackie Academy, Marykirk School, Maud School, Meethill School, Meldrum Academy, Meldrum School, Methlick School, Midmar School, Mill O'Forest School, Mintlaw Academy, Monquhitter School
New Macher School, New Pitsligo and St John's School, Newtonhall School,
Old Rayne School, Ordiquhill School,
Peterhead Academy, Peterhead Central School, Pitfour School, Port Elphinstone School, Portlethen Academy, Portsoy School,
Redmyre School, Rosehearty School, Rothienorman School,
Sandhaven School, St Andrew's School - Inverurie, St Andrew's School - Fraserburgh, St Combs School, St Cyrus School, St Fergus School, Strathburn School, Strathdon School, Strichen School
Tarland School, Tarves School, Tipperty School, Torphines School,Towie School, Turriff Academy, Turriff Primary School, Tyrie School
Udny Green School, Uryside School
Westfield School, Whitehills School.
The following schools are closed to pupils only: Mearns Academy.
Changes to transport have been issued for Gordon schools and Westhill Academy. More information can be found here.
Angus Council
A statement from Neil Lowden, Acting Director of Education and Lifelong Learning, and Cllr Lynne Devine, Convener of Family, Education and Justice Committeeread, read: "Angus is covered by several Met Office weather warnings on Friday, January 24. Widespread and significant disruption is expected tomorrow across Scotland:
“Storm Éowyn will move across the northwest of the UK on Friday, clearing to the northeast on Friday night and through Saturday morning. Met Office forecasts show the potential for gusts in excess of 80mph in many parts of Angus.
"To ensure the safety of our children and young people, their families, our employees and our key partners, we have taken the decision to close all Angus Schools and Early Learning and Childcare settings on Friday, January 24. We appreciate the impact of school closures and are making this decision now to provide clarity for parents/carers.
"There will be no school transport running. This includes all ASN contracts and College contracts. Schools will contact families directly with information about learning which is to be undertaken at home. A direct payment will be made to children and young people who are eligible for free school meals based on financial criteria. Existing bookings for school meals will be automatically cancelled via ParentPay."
Argyll and Bute Council
Posting on social media, the authority wrote: "In light of the Met Office's red weather warning, all schools and early years settings in Argyll and Bute will close tomorrow, Friday, January 24, to ensure the safety of pupils and staff. Online learning will be provided. Schools will be in touch with with further information."
City of Edinburgh Council
A statement on the council website reads: "All Council schools, nurseries and early years settings will be closed on Friday 24 January. Schools will communicate directly with parents."
Clackmannanshire Council
A post on the council website reads: "All schools and ELCs will be closed on Friday, January 24. All council buildings will be closed."
Dumfries and Galloway Council
On social media, the council has wrote: "All non-essential council buildings, including schools, will be closed tomorrow due to Storm Éowyn and the subsequent Red and Amber weather warnings."
On the website they have added: "The Red weather warning is in place from 10am on Friday 24 January, but the Amber weather warning is in place from 6am. With these warnings in mind, and following Police Scotland advice, please do not travel unless it is an emergency.
"All our council-run schools and early learning settings will be closed, as well as our leisure and culture facilities."
Dundee Council
A statement on their website reads: "All local authority nursery, primary, secondary, and special schools will be closed to all staff and pupils on Friday 24 January 2025. There will be no out-of-school care and Leisure and Culture facilities run out of any local authority educational establishments.
"This decision has been taken to ensure the safety of our young people and staff, particularly as they could be travelling home at the peak of the storm at the end of the school day. Families of school age children will be contacted directly by their school about home learning for Friday."
They added: "Arrangements are being made for free school meal payments to be made directly to qualifying households."
East Ayrshire Council
A statement from EAC reads: "The Council has taken the decision to close all schools and Early Childhood Centres, and SL33 and SL66 on Friday, January 24.
"This is a difficult decision to take and the Council understands the impact on parents and carers, however the safety of children and young people is paramount. Updates on any further impact to service provision will be provided throughout the day."
East Dunbartonshire Council
A statement on the council website reads: "The Met Office has issued a Red Weather Warning for dangerous winds during Storm Éowyn which include the East Dunbartonshire Council area from 10am to 5pm tomorrow, Friday, January 24. First Minister John Swinney has told Parliament this morning that Police Scotland will shortly issue a formal 'do not travel' advisory notice.
"As a result, all East Dunbartonshire Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and our ASN school Woodland View will be closed on Friday, January 24. All East Dunbartonshire Early Years Centres will also be closed.
"Those in receipt of free school meals will receive tomorrow’s payment as soon as possible and all school transport has been stood down. Officers are currently finalising further operational arrangements for Friday, January 24,updates will be added to this page and communicated to the public later today."
East Lothian Council
Nicola McDowell's letter to parents and carers reads: "I am writing to advise you that schools will be closed on Friday, January 24, on essential safety grounds. The Met Office has advised us that East Lothian is covered by a red weather warning for wind tomorrow from 10am to 5pm.
"This means that very strong winds associated with Storm Éowyn will cause very dangerous conditions and significant disruption. They advise that people should avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous conditions and stay indoors if they can.
"This decision has been taken with the health and welfare of our children, families and staff in mind. Schools will reopen on Monday, January 27. Your own school will be in touch with you with information on what remote learning will look like for your child tomorrow."
East Renfrewshire Council
A statement on the East Renfrewshire Council website reads: "All schools, nursery classes and family centres will be closed on Friday, January 24, due to the potential impacts of Storm Éowyn. This is a difficult decision to take and we understand the impact on parents and carers, however, the safety of children and young people is paramount.
"Bin collections have also been suspended for the day, so please don't put out your bin. All facilities run by East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure, which includes leisure centres, libraries, and community halls, will also be closed. Our Eastwood HQ and Barrhead offices will be closed, with residents able to contact us via phone or online."
Falkirk Council
A statement on the council website reads: "Due to the potential risk to life, all non-essential council services will be suspended, and all council buildings will be closed.
"Services impacted include: All schools and Early Learning Centres; Recycling centres and waste collection; Burials and cremationsl; Leisure facilities and visitor attractions."
Fife Council
A statement on the council reads: "All Fife schools and nurseries will be closed on Friday. January 24. Schools will be in touch with families directly on what remote learning will be available. Schools will reopen on Monday, January 27."
Glasgow City Council
GCC posted on social media: "Due to Storm Éowyn, all our schools and council nurseries will be closed tomorrow (Friday, January 24). Your school/nursery will provide further updates directly to you. Please take care."
Highland Council
Schools on the council's website that are set to be closed: Dunbeath Primary, Lochaline Primary, Lochaline Primary Nursey and Lybster Primary.
Headteachers are deciding on a individual basis on whether their respective schools will close.
Inverclyde Council
Posting on social media, Inverclyde Council wrote: "In light of the Red weather warning that is in place for tomorrow, Friday, January 24, the decision has been made to close all Schools and Early Learning Centres. Further service updates will be provided throughout the day"
Midlothian Council
Posting on social media, Midlothian Council wrote: "With a Red - danger to life - Met Office weather warning in place for Midlothian between 10am and 5pm on Friday, all schools & local authority nurseries will be closed tomorrow, reopening as normal on Monday. Schools will be in touch directly with families about remote learning."
North Ayrshire Council
A social media post from North Ayrshire Council reads: "Following the Met Office decision to upgrade the weather warning for Storm Éowyn from AMBER to RED tomorrow, covering large parts of Scotland, including North Ayrshire, a decision has been taken to close all schools and early learning and childcare settings tomorrow.
"An emergency communication will be issued centrally to all staff and parents/carers via Groupcall to confirm and communication about any home learning arrangements will be issued by individual establishments."
North Lanarkshire Council
A statement on the council website reads: "The Council has taken the decision to close all schools and education establishments including early learning facilities on Friday, January 24. We understand the impact this may have on parents and carers, however the safety of people is paramount. No school transport or breakfast clubs will run."
Perth and Kinross Council
A statement on the council website states: "All Perth and Kinross schools and Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings will be closed on Friday 24 January 2025 as a precaution because of Storm Eowyn. We understand the impact this will have on parents and carers but the safety of our children and young people is our priority.
"UHI Perth will also be closing its campus, which means pupils will be unable to attend placements there on Friday. Remote learning will be provided for pupils."
Renfrewshire Council
A statement on the council website reads: "Due to severe weather, all schools and council-run nurseries will be closed on Friday, January 24. They will continue to run as normal on Thursday, January 23. Schools will contact parents and carers directly with any school specific information for your child.
"Out-of-school care that operates in a school building will not be able to take place. If you normally receive a free school meal payment during the holiday periods, you will receive a payment for Friday, January 24, as part of the next payment.
"Schools and nurseries will re-open as normal on Monday, January 27. Several other local councils have told parents to watch their social media accounts throughout the day for any updates on school closures."
Scottish Borders Council
A statement on the council's website says: "A red weather warning for wind has been issued for much of the Scottish Borders on Friday. This highlights very dangerous conditions, including danger to life and significant disruption. The warning runs from 10am to 5pm on Friday. Peak gusts of 80-90mph are expected widely.
"All our schools and early learning and childcare facilities are closed on Friday."
South Ayrshire Council
Posting on social media, the council wrote: "All South Ayrshire schools will be closed on Friday, January 24. This includes all early years’ centres, primary, secondary and special schools. All breakfast clubs, after school care and Council Lets in school buildings will also be cancelled.
"It is expected that all schools and early years centres will be open on Monday, January 27, as normal. More information about other Council services affected will be available soon."
South Lanarkshire Council
Posting on social media, the council wrote: "Due to the Red weather warning issued for much of Scotland, including South Lanarkshire, the decision has been taken to close all our schools and nurseries tomorrow, Friday, January 24.
"Due to severe weather, all schools and council-run nurseries will be closed on Friday, January 24. They will continue to run as normal on Thursday, January 23. Schools will contact parents and carers directly with any school specific information for your child. Out-of-school care that operates in a school building will not be able to take place.
"If you normally receive a free school meal payment during the holiday periods, you will receive a payment for Friday, January 24, as part of the next payment. Schools and nurseries will re-open as normal on Monday, January 27."
Stirling Council
Stirling Council posted on social media: "All schools and nurseries will be closed. Families will also be contacted directly about this and any specific learning arrangements."
West Dunbartonshire Council
Posting on social media, the council wrote: "Due to the Red Weather warning in place for West Dunbartonshire tomorrow, all Primary and Secondary Schools and Early Learning and Childcare Centres will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 24.
"All schools and centres will re-open on Monday, January 27, at the normal times. We sorry for any inconvenience this closure may cause but the health and safety of children, young people and employees is paramount."
Western Isles council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar)
A statement on their website says: "All Western Isles Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Nurseries will be closed to pupils and staff on Friday 24 January. The Comhairle asks family, neighbours and friends living nearby to assist and support elderly and vulnerable people."
West Lothian Council
A statement on the council website reads: "All West Lothian Council schools and Early Learning Centres will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 24, in response to the red weather warning issued.
"Individual Schools will provide information to all parents/carers directly on remote learning arrangements and any alterations required to school timetables and events. Schools are planned to reopen as normal on Monday, January 27, unless otherwise advised."
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