RESIDENTS are being reminded that the tail end of Hurricane Ophelia will bring misery to Scotland with the Met Office warning that power cuts could occur.

There will likely be rail and bus disruption, too, as high winds and heavy rain take control with the storm hitting the country.

Gusts of up to 80mph could hit the Central belt and west coast on Monday, followed by 60mph winds on Tuesday.

The worst of the weather in Scotland is expected between 12pm on Monday until Tuesday morning.

Met Office chief forecaster said: “Very strong winds are forecast to affect most western and some central parts of the UK during Monday.

“These strong winds are forecast in association with the northward track of ex-Ophelia across or near to the west of the British Isles. Southerly winds are most likely to gust between 55 and 65 mph across much of the warning area with the potential for gusts of 80 mph in coastal areas, particularly on the eastern side of Northern Ireland.

“The very strong winds will probably extend to parts of northern England along with some southern and central parts of Scotland in the evening as winds veer more south-westerly across the whole warning area.

“Heavy rain is also possible in association with this system in parts of Scotland.”

Flood warnings have been issued for West Central Scotland - including Glasgow - Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Arran, and Dumfries and Galloway, where the most severe flooding may occur.

Scotland is likely to escape the brunt of the storm, however, with 90mph gusts forecast in Ireland.

Irish schools have been shut as the weather moves in exactly 30 years since the Great Storm of 1987, which claimed 18 lives.