Travel latest as 'danger to life' warning issued by forecasters

Argyll and Bute, parts of the north west and coastal line, as well as the Highlands, are expected to be worst hit by heavy downpours, with a Met Office amber alert running until 5pm.

The Scottish Government’s minister for resilience Angela Constance said it was "imperative" people in affected areas did not take unnecessary risks.

Further yellow weather warnings for rain, wind and snow are also in place for large parts of the country, which last night led to Edinburgh’s outdoor Hogmanay celebrations being scrapped.

Heavy downpours of rain are expected to burst riverbanks in Aviemore in parts of the Highlands. SEPA previously issued three severe flood warnings in the area, though these were downgraded earlier this morning.

The environmental body said overnight rainfall had not been as intense as expected but urged people to stay alert around flood waters.

Cordelia Menmuir, SEPA’s duty flood manager, said the agency was still expecting significant spells of rainfall.

She said: "We are hopeful that people should not be expecting those severe levels we were expecting yesterday.

"As with any event there is always a danger to life where flood water is involved and if people go near to the rivers there is a danger to life. There will be water in areas we would not normally expect to find it in.

"We would urge people to listen to the emergency services that are on the ground, to seek assistance if they believe they are in danger, to phone 999 but the best thing they can do is be prepared."

Currently there are 10 flood alerts and 31 flood warnings from SEPA in effect.