Scots who have been without power for four days after Storm Éowyn devastated the country on Friday are expected to be finally reconnected by Monday evening.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Works (SSEN) said hundreds of engineers are on the network to reconnect 1,700 who are still without power, with work going on late into this evening to restore further supplies, in a final push.
The communities still affected are mainly in Argyll and Bute, which was covered by the Red Met Office wind warning.
As of 5pm on Monday, more than 90,000 customers of SSEN have now been reconnected since the storm first hit.
Gusts hit 100mph north of the border as high winds claimed one life and caused widespread damage, disrupting travel and damaging property.
It comes as the First Ministe r said reconnecting power in Scotland following Storm Eowyn had been a “colossal” task and the impact is a “warning that climate change is with us”.
Speaking at an event in Edinburgh, John Swinney said: “It’s a warning to us that climate change is with us and the ferocity (of it).”
Addressing the power cuts, he said: “The scale of the challenge has been colossal, utterly colossal.
“I have been engaged with the resilience community and the power companies all weekend and I’m satisfied that there has been a huge mobilisation of resource to try to address this issue.”
A large welfare operation has been underway in affected communities, with cafés serving free hot meals and drinks to households, and mobile vans providing food too.
SSEN says it has provided 2,000 meals, and some outlets will be serving meals this evening. Locations will be open in Rothesay, at three hotels and one food van in Campbeltown, and in Tayinloan.
Andy Smith, SSEN’s Director of Customer Operations for the north of Scotland says: “This storm has been the most destructive for parts of our network in many years, and rebuilding damaged overhead lines has been a huge task. While we’ve done this, we’ve done all we can to be there for our customers, whether it’s been at the end of the phone, or through the extensive welfare provision we’ve put in place in communities.
“I’m grateful to customers for their patience and understanding while we work to reconnect the last remaining homes, and I’d like to draw their attention to the hot food provision that’s in place, and the compensation they can apply for.”
As part of SSEN’s support package, customers without power for more than 12 hours are entitled to £30 per person for every day without power, to cover the cost of food and drink. People should keep hold of their receipts and claim costs back at www.ssen.co.uk/stormclaim.
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