Man who died after being hit by falling tree in Storm Boelo is named

Tributes have been paid to a man who died after being struck by a falling tree during Storm Boelo.

Richard Baines, 60, was fatally injured in the Castle Douglas area of Dumfries and Galloway on Sunday.

Mr Baines was the curator of Logan Botanic Garden, a regional garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE).

David Knott, director of horticulture at RGBE, said Mr Baines was hit while walking near his home.

Paying tribute, Mr Knott said of Mr Baines: "He was primarily responsible for a number of significant developments and initiatives at Logan including the first 'all green' public conservatory powered by green energy in the UK.

"During his tenure, Logan also successfully gained a number of accolades including being voted the 'best garden in the UK' by Which in 2021."

Mr Knott said Logan was also the first garden in Scotland to gain a gold Green Business Tourism award and install electric vehicle charging points, culminating in it being awarded five-star status as a visitor attraction by VisitScotland.

He added: "It will, however, be for his passion and enthusiasm for plants that he will be remembered through significantly increasing and expanding the plant collection at Logan, participating and leading fieldwork in China, Canary Islands and Vietnam from which seven plant species are currently being published that are new to science.

"Richard's contribution as an enthusiastic plantsman and curator at Logan and to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's wider work and culture has been immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed by many."

Check the weather where you are

Storm Boelo pummelled parts of the UK, bringing 84mph gusts and a third of a month's rain to pockets of Scotland.

A man in his 20s was also killed in Finchley, north London, by a falling tree.

Two women were also taken to hospital after they were struck by another falling tree in Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross.

A fresh yellow warning for wind kicks in at 6pm on Monday and will be in place until 3am Tuesday.

The alert stretches along the west of the UK, covering parts of North West England, Northern Ireland, South West England, Strathclyde, South West Scotland and Wales.

The Met Office forecasts gusts of 45-50mph inland and 60-65mph along exposed coasts and over high ground.

The strong winds will be accompanied by heavy rain at times, and there could be some disruption, the forecaster added.

A further yellow warning for wind covering much of Scotland will then be in place between 3am and 9pm on Tuesday.

The Met Office said gusts of 50-60mph are "possible quite widely" and coastal or exposed areas in the northwest and far north of the country "could see gusts of 70mph or more".

On Monday morning, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said around 25,000 customers remained without power, while around 70,000 had been reconnected.

In Aberdeenshire, 13 primary schools without power were shut, while Ellon Academy was closed because of storm damage.

Ten primary schools were shut in the Highlands.

Western Isles Council said that all schools in the Western Isles will be closed to pupils on Tuesday - as high winds are forecast at the time of the school commute.

ScotRail has warned customers to expect disruption on Tuesday as some routes will operate with speed restrictions.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued an amber risk of flooding in the Western Isles, Caithness and Sutherland and the Northern Isles due to the likelihood of high tides and large waves.

The Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGoRR) met on Monday to discuss the situation.

Scotland's Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, who chaired the meeting, said: "More high winds, rain and coastal flooding is forecast today and into tomorrow, and it is important to note that buildings and trees that were weakened over the weekend will be particularly vulnerable.

"I would urge the public to continue to check their local weather forecast and follow the advice of the Met Office, SEPA and the police to ensure they stay safe."

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