Regards the highest windspeed, 177mph see below..
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/s/saxa_vord/
There were further gusts in the same area of 160 mph recorded in 1991 (I think) on New Years Eve. A couple of birdwatchers who wanted to be the first names in the vistors book for the New Year were killed when the bird watching chalet they were sleeping in was subsequently blown over a cliff edge......
Perhaps 'civilised' is pushing it a bit here...