Wester Ross school pupils to take train after road closure

The first landslide on the A890 happened on 22 December

About 60 pupils in Wester Ross are expected to travel by train on Monday because their normal route by road continues to be at risk of landslides.

The youngsters from the Lochcarron and Applecross areas will not arrive at Plockton High School until after 11:16 because of the train timetable.

However, the school day will be extended. The high school reopens this week after the holidays.

The section of A890 Lochcarron to Kyle road at Stromeferry remains closed.

More than 100 tonnes of rock came down on 22 December.

There was a further landslide a few days later.

Until the area is deemed safe, driving between Lochcarron and Kyle involves a 140 mile (225km) diversion via Inverness and then the A82 to Invermoriston.

The nearby railway was not affected.

The 60 pupils would travel by train from Strathcarron and Kyle to Plockton.

Last week, Highland Council said it was also hoping to hire two ferries to help ease travel in the area.

The local authority has proposed bringing in a 61-passenger ferry to operate between North Strome, near Lochcarron, and Plockton from the middle of this week.

Before its introduction the slipways to be used will be checked and floodlighting will be installed.

A six-car ferry could also operate between North and South Strome.

The council said travel would be restricted to vehicles under 10 tonnes and priority would be given to emergency vehicles and local traffic.