Highland rail line closed after tracks flooded

Train services on a Highland rail line have been cancelled after the tracks were submerged by flood water.

Silt was washed onto the line at Achanalt, east of Achnasheen in Wester Ross, during heavy rainfall overnight.

ScotRail said all services between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh had been suspended.

Replacement bus services have been arranged and train tickets are being accepted on Stagecoach North bus services between Inverness and Dingwall and CityLink buses between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh.

The tracks at Achanalt station were submerged when heavy rain caused flooding on Monday

There was also flooding reported at Garve, on the same line.

Met Office weather warnings for rain were in force across the region on Monday and overnight until 06:00.

Engineers arrived at Achanalt on Tuesday morning to carry out inspections.

Network Rail said they had a team on site to clear the debris and inspect the track and level crossing.

"Floodwater has subsided, but the debris it's brought with it is blocking the track and the station area," it said in a statement.

ScotRail said they would provide an update on Wednesday's service later.

The rail company also closed part of the train line between Inverness and Aberdeen while repairs, which are now complete, were carried out on the track between Inverness Airport and Nairn.

Replacement buses were provided to take passengers from Aberdeen to Inverness and train tickets were accepted on Stagecoach buses while rail services were disrupted.