Graham Easterling wrote:

Strongest gust recorded at low level (according to MetO) was 118mph at
Gwennap Head near Land's End (where the RIB turned round Alan!) on 15th
Dec 1979.

That's the English record. The UK record is 123 knots (approx 142 mph)
at Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, 13 February 1989. I believe Kirkwall held
the record prior to that, with 136 mph. I'm looking forward to Orkney
getting the record back again. Or maybe I'm not...
--
Steve Loft
Sanday, Orkney. 5m ASL
http://sanday.org.uk/weather