An iconic Scots tree has fallen foul of Storm Eowyn, collapsing under the strong winds. The ancient tree the Darnley Sycamore fell just after noon today.
As winds hit 90-miles-per-hour in Glasgow, the tree, which sits just off Nitshill Road, in the city’s Darnley area, collapsed. It was planted by Lord Darnley and has stood tall for what is believed to be more than 400 years.
The tree is also linked to Mary Queen of Scots, Glasgow Live reports. According to legend, Henry Stewart (Lord Darnley) and his cousin Mary Queen of Scots sat under the tree while she nursed him back to health following an illness.
The pair stayed at Crookston Castle, his family seat, before marrying on July 29, 1565, when she was aged 23. A plaque stands at the now fallen tree commemorating the ancient story.
One local resident described the tree falling as “devastating”. They told Glasgow Live: “ It’s been there for decades, ever since I was a kid and is a memorable part of Darnley and our history.
“It’s absolutely devastating to see.” According to the Woodland Trust, the tree had a girth of 4.2m at a height of 1.5m. Glasgow is currently battling its way through a rare “danger to life” red weather warning, with gusts predicted to reach nearly 90mph.
In Paisley, multiple homes are without electricity, with Scottish Power hoping to have it restored by around 10pm. All ScotRail trains are cancelled and a van has overturned on the Kingston Bridge due to the winds.
Dozens of flights have been cancelled, delayed or diverted due to the strong winds, with the red weather warning in place until 5pm. Follow our Storm Eowyn live blog here.
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