Sunday 4 July

Happy 4th July to all in the United States. It is now 234 years since the Declaration of Independence, so a big bash will be on the cards for 2026. Please be careful with barbeques and fireworks.

Here in the Western Isles, this morning's rain has moved away to be replaced by high winds. At the moment, it is blowing force 6 to 7, with gales approaching from the southwest. Many ferry services are disrupted up and down the west coast of Scotland - our ferry appears to be on schedule to depart at 2.30pm.


This picture shows the rescue that took place in Stornoway in the morning of 2 July, when a fishing trawler lost power and was nearly blown into the ferry linkspan. The RNLI lifeboat came to its aid.