(Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)
Storm-hit communities across Scotland are asking "serious questions" as politicians say "significant lessons" must be learned from the devastation left by Storm Boelo.
As floodwater recedes and businesses begin the long process of counting the cost, a common theme is emerging from Scotland's battered west coast.
From Renfrew on the banks of the River Clyde to Saltcoats and Largs, communities left reeling by Storm Boelo are asking not only how the damage became so severe, but whether more could have been done to prevent it.
In Renfrew, businesses and residents were stunned to learn that a multi-million-pound flood prevention barrier was not activated as water from the Clyde spilled into streets and properties.
Businesses including gyms, bars and restaurants were left submerged as floodwater swept along Ferry Road and surrounding areas. Staff at Foundry Gym described the aftermath to our sister title The Gazette as "devastating", saying the premises had suffered extensive flooding and disruption. A spokesperson said: “Seeing the gym we've worked so hard to build in this condition has been absolutely heart-breaking.”
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The owners of McGregor's Bar said there were “serious questions needing answered” about why flood defences were not deployed. Renfrewshire Council said forecast data did not meet the threshold required for activating the barrier but acknowledged procedures would now be reviewed in light of what happened.
Further down the coast in Irvine, residents have been left surveying damage to the town's beachfront after the storm battered the shoreline.
The community group Irvine Clean Up Crew was forced to cancel a planned clean-up as strong winds continued to lash the coast, while damage was reported to public facilities and the town's well-known fisherman's statue. A spokesperson told the Irvine Times : “It is really sad to see all the storm damage down the beach. Especially after all the work that has just finished in the beach park.”
The strongest frustration, however, is perhaps being felt in North Ayrshire, where traders in both Saltcoats and Largs are questioning whether local authorities moved quickly enough to protect vulnerable businesses.
In Saltcoats, shopkeepers spent Monday clearing mud, debris and floodwater from premises after streets in the town centre were inundated. Some business owners estimated damage could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. Staff at Max Spielmann alone estimated losses of around £50,000 after water destroyed electrical equipment.
One employee told the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald : “The council came out with sandbags on Sunday. What was the point of that? We were flooded already. They knew the storm was coming.”
North Ayrshire and Arran MP Irene Campbell, whose own constituency office was flooded, echoed concerns over the timing of support, saying: “A lot of people were upset that the sandbags came a day late.”
Similar concerns have been voiced in Largs, where traders described one of the worst flooding events in decades.
Toni Dawson, owner of Geraldo's, told the Largs and Millport Weekly News : “This level of flooding was the worst I've seen in my time here, and that's now four times I've been flooded in three years.”
She added: “All us business owners were just watching at 11pm at night, helpless as our shops were flooded. There was not a single soul from any service or local authority to assist us.”
At nearby restaurant Tha Tien Thai, owner Supachok Chamnina said floodwater had damaged fridges and cooking equipment, adding: “We have to do something to protect it.”
Businesses' concerns have now reached the highest levels of government.
During a visit to storm-damaged premises in Largs on Monday, Stephen Flynn, Scotland's Transport Secretary, met traders still pumping water from their businesses and acknowledged that lessons may need to be learned from the storm.
Recovery from Storm Boelo is continuing in communities across Scotland. Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn visited businesses and communities in Largs impacted by flooding. More at: https://t.co/1qSc7cGLfy https://t.co/NqM6RjxXSX
— Scottish Government (@scotgov) October 26, 2026
“I've spoken with business owners who have been here for a long time and said to me they haven't seen anything like this before,” Flynn said.
“The sandbags issue is something that's been mentioned by a number of people and I'll be taking that away.
“It's potentially the case that significant lessons need to be learned in that regard and we'll make sure that they are.”
The cabinet secretary also suggested authorities would need to consider whether communities vulnerable to future flooding need additional defences.
“We need to look at the modelling for years to come and see what defences need to be put in place,” he said.
The A78 between Largs and Skelmorlie remains closed after waves overtopped coastal defences, breached sections of the sea wall, and left parts of the carriageway cracked and damaged.
Amey, which manages the route on behalf of Transport Scotland, described the weather as unprecedented and warned the road would remain shut until engineers could fully assess the damage.
The communities could face further disruption in the coming days as fresh weather warnings have been issued, with strong winds and heavy rain on the way after two storms battered the country, while disruption has already started due to the next wave of weather.
The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning from Tuesday, October 27, covering the majority of Scotland and warning that strong west to south-westerly winds could affect road, rail, air, and ferry services.