The iconic Darnley Sycamore tree in Glasgow has succumbed to the powerful winds of Storm Eowyn, causing chaos across the city. The ancient tree, located just off Nitshill Road in Darnley, fell today shortly after midday, with winds reaching up to 90mph at the time. Believed to be over 400 years old, the tree was planted by Lord Darnley and is linked to Mary Queen of Scots.
Legend has it that 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. Before their marriage on July 29, 1565, when she was 23, the pair resided at Crookston Castle, his family seat.
A plaque commemorating this ancient tale stands at the site of the now fallen tree, reports Mirror affiliate Glasgow Live. A local resident described the tree's fall as "devastating", saying: " 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 width of 4.2m at a height of 1.5m. Glasgow is currently grappling with a rare "danger to life" red weather warning, with gusts predicted to reach nearly 90mph. In Paisley, numerous households are currently without power, with Scottish Power aiming to restore electricity by approximately 10pm.
All ScotRail trains have been cancelled and a van has flipped over on the Kingston Bridge due to the high winds. A multitude of flights have been cancelled, delayed or rerouted as a result of the powerful winds, with the red weather warning set to remain in place until 5pm.
