7 September 2010 Last updated at 07:59 ET

High winds sink boats amid Scottish weather problems

High winds and heavy seas caused problems at Aberdeen Harbour

Two small boats have sunk in a Fife harbour after the east coast was hit by severe winds overnight.

Fire crews managed to save two other vessels from sinking at St Monans after a combination of gale force winds and high tides swamped the harbour.

Officials said no-one was on board when the fishing vessels sank.

St Monans harbour master Norman Hall said the winds had changed direction and water was driven over the sea wall and along the pier.

He continued: "The spray was going 40ft to 50ft into the air, it was too dangerous at that point to go down to the harbour.

"There was a similar storm the night before but the wind was moving in a different direction so there was no damage.

"It just went crazy last night, the harbour is full of seaweed."

Ferry problems

Meanwhile, heavy rains were also affecting areas of Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders, the central belt and Argyll.

The weather was causing ferry and supply boat problems off Aberdeen.

Flash flooding hit parts of Dundee, with firefighters called to a number of properties in Seagate to pump out cellars.

In Orkney, an operation was under way to rescue a yacht which had gone aground off South Ronaldsay.

The vessel was spotted by her owner at first light in Widewall Bay. No-one was on board.

There were wind warnings for high-sided vehicles on the Kessock, Skye, Friarton, Forth Road and Erskine bridges.

The Tay Road Bridge was closed to double deckers and had a 30mph speed limit.

Central Scotland Police said extreme care was needed on roads in the area, after poor weather conditions left lots of debris.