A 17,000-tonne oil rig has run aground during high winds and stormy weather across Scotland.

The semi-submersible Transocean Winner came loose from the tug Alp Forward in the early hours of Monday and ran aground near Carloway on Lewis.

No one was on board the rig and there is no risk to life, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said.

However, the rig has around 300,000 litres of diesel aboard and the MCA’s counter-pollution team is monitoring the situation. They have said the risk of pollution is “low.”

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The incident came after weather warnings were issued much of Scotland over the weekend and into Monday as the country was hit by winds of up to 70mph.

A spokesman said: “At 4.20am the master of Alp Forward reported that the tow line had parted and, due to the severe weather conditions, was unable to reconnect the tow line and the rig grounded on the west side of the Isle of Lewis near Carloway.

“The tug Alp Forward remains on scene to visually monitor the rig.”

The MCA later warned those who live nearby to stay away from the scene to allow access for emergency services.

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Mark Rodaway UK Coastguard Commander said: “We understand that this incident is of interest to people living in the area, but we’re really asking them to stay away to ensure easy access for emergency services and salvors.

“Also the last thing we want is for people to be injured or worse trying to get a closer look on remote cliff paths.”

The north and northwest of Scotland were hit by the highest winds, but strong gusts were also seen around hills in the southeast.

A speed restriction has been placed on traffic going over the Forth Road Bridge as a result of the weather and the Tay Bridge is open to cars only.

The warning remains in place throughout Monday for the Highlands and Northern Isles, with gusts of up to 65mph possible.

On Saturday afternoon one person was injured when a historic fishing vessel, Reaper, was blown on to its side while in harbour in Johnshaven, Aberdeenshire.

Trains between Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh were delayed during Sunday afternoon after a tree fell down and blocked the line. Another fallen tree blocked the line between Inverness and Wick.

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CalMac have reported that ferry services have been disrupted due to the high winds, with some services on Monday also being cancelled.

In a Glasgow, a concert at the Kelvingrove Bandstand was postponed due to the weather. Homes in Broughty Ferry and Dingwall were affected by power cuts.

A wind speed of 68mph was recorded at Loch Glascarnoch, near Garve in the Highlands on Sunday, with speeds of up to 61mph in Tain, Kinloss and Lerwick.