Friday, March 29, 2024
NewsScottish NewsBBC cabin exploded in hurricane-force winds

BBC cabin exploded in hurricane-force winds

THE BBC’s Winterwatch studio exploded as a result of the hurricane-force winds that struck Scotland.

The wooden structure in the Cairngorms, used for observing wildlife, was destroyed by the 113mph gusts that swept through on Thursday night.

It is believed that wind got into the building, pressurised the cabin and it exploded from the inside out during the “worst storm in years”.

The studio is believed to have "exploded from the inside"
The studio is believed to have “exploded from the inside”

 

The roof of the building in Mar Lodge Estate collapsed and the base was destroyed beyond repair, meaning that the cabin is no longer an option for the program.

An unnamed worker at the estate revealed the structure had just been built ready for the new season of the programme, which stars Bill Oddie.

The worker wrote on Facebook: “Don’t fear! All is not lost – we plan to rebuild the cabin. And the BBC springwatch team will move the studio set inside the main building.”

Trees were uprooted by the strong gusts
Trees were uprooted by the strong gusts

 

It was just one scene of devastation caused by the strong winds which blasted through the country.

Residents on Lewis living on the Bràighe coastal road just outside Stornoway woke up to the bizarre sight of an Arnold Clark van on the beach.

It was blasted over a rocky outcrop onto the shore from car park on the side of road several meters away.

The van managed to stay upright and appears undamaged.

Hurricane-force winds overturned a static caravan
Hurricane-force winds overturned a static caravan

 

Other pictures of the havoc include greenhouses smashed to pieces, caravans torn apart and trees ripped from the ground.

Concerned Scots were quick to share their photos to social media.

One photograph shows an overturned static caravan in Embo in the Highlands. The vehicle was completely flipped on its head by the incredibly strong winds.

Two caravans were ripped to shreds
Two caravans were ripped to shreds

 

Another photograph shows two caravans on the Isle of Lewis which were ripped apart by the strong gusts.

Pieces of plastic, wood and metal can be seen scattered across the campsite in the aftermath of the storm.

Another shows a greenhouse smashed to pieces with wreckage strewn all over the garden.

This greenhouse was completely destroyed
This greenhouse was completely destroyed

 

Katy Boothy, 33, who runs the Silver Darlings guesthouse in Ullapool said: “The greenhouse was the main casualty. Myself and my husband are fine but we didn’t sleep between 1:30-3:30am.

“Our pet spaniel Isla was scared and hid under the bed for a while. We managed to coax her out and she hid under the duvet until daylight.”

Other snaps show huge trees lying across roads and others completely uprooted.

Scots took to social media to share photos of the devastation
Scots took to social media to share photos of the devastation

 

One picture even shows what appears to be a piece of metal completely embedded in the windscreen of a car.

More than 80,000 homes were left without power and rail services were suspended “for safety reasons” after winds battered the country on Thursday night.

The Forth Road Bridge was temporarily closed after a van blew over just after 1am. Ferry services were subject to cancellations and many schools were closed.

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