Bridges and roads were closed, causing huge tailbacks, after gusts of up to 80mph tore through southern, western and central areas.

As the 12-hour storm took hold, numerous roads were blocked by fallen trees, roofs flew off buildings, and some schools were forced to close.

Fire crews rescued a man whose car had gone into the sea and a train driver had a lucky escape when a tree branch smashed through his windscreen.

Efforts by energy companies to re-connect those who suffered power cuts were initially hampered by the continuing high winds.

At the peak of the storm, around 22,000 homes across the country were without power.

Scottish and Southern Energy said around 9,000 customers had been affected in Argyll and 3,000 in Tayside. By lunchtime engineers had re-connected around 5,000.

Scottish Power said the severe weather had affected around 10,000 of its customers. A spokesman said 6,000 still had to be re-connected.

There was severe traffic disruption after the Forth Road Bridge was closed to all traffic. The Erskine Bridge and Tay Road Bridge were also closed and the Friarton Bridge in Perth was shut to high-sided vehicles.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service said it had attended nearly 150 weather-related incidents since 10pm on Tuesday night.