Flash flooding engulfs centre of Inverness

Flash floods cut off Inverness yesterday when a freak rainstorm left much of the low-lying city submerged under four feet of water.

Roads and rail routes into Inverness were closed after the floods overwhelmed the drains in what was described as a "disaster" for the city.

With more rain forecast last night, police warned visitors to stay away, and Grampian fire brigade pumped out water from dozens of homes and businesses.

At the high point of the flood, water was five feet deep around the Thistle Hotel in the centre of the city, and about 13 guests, including a couple on honeymoon, were rescued by coastguards. The hotel was evacuated last night while staff tried to find guests other accommodation and assessed the damage.

David Munro, a local councillor, said the floods were a disaster. "I've never seen anything like the ferocity of the rain. It has been like a fireman's hose on full pelt. Roads have been washed away, cars have been floating down on the current and communities are cut off."

Mr Munro added that several homes in his street had been flooded. "My own house isn't too bad but my garden is totally gone, my wall's been knocked down and my shed's been destroyed.

"The neighbours have been knocking down fences to help the water drain away. People at the bottom of the road have been worst affected. There are about 10 houses that were under water."

The torrential rain came a day after floods hit other communities in the north of Scotland, including the Banff, Macduff and Portsoy areas of Aberdeenshire. About 20 roads around Airdrie and on the Ayrshire coast were closed by flash floods. Severe localised flooding was also reported in the Shettleston area of Glasgow last night, where water was said to be up to three feet deep.

Emergency services began to get calls at about 2am yesterday as torrential rain woke people in the affected areas. Police said the drains had simply been unable to cope with the volume of water.

"It is localised in the Inverness area. Ten miles down the road there's nothing," said a spokesman for Northern Constabulary. "The roads leading into the city centre are flooded. If you don't have to go, don't go at the moment."

Main routes into the city were closed, including the A82 from Fort William and the A96 from Aberdeen. The A9 from Perth was described by police as "just passable". Part of the railway line was washed away at Milton of Culloden, blocking services between Inverness and Aviemore. ScotRail said services were unlikely to return to normal for at least 48 hours. Inverness airport was not affected.

Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, whose constituency includes Inverness, said: "These floods are hugely disruptive for everyone and highly distressing for those who have suffered damage to property.

"The emergency services are responding magnificently and deserve our gratitude at this difficult period."