Tain bus passengers face delays and cancellations as bus and rail services in north Highlands hit by heavy snow

Heavy snow is causing significant disruption for bus and train travellers in the north Highlands.

Early this morning, a fallen tree on the Far North Line forced ScotRail to start the 06.26 Lairg to Inverness service starting at Ardgay instead of Lairg.

On the roads, bus passengers were also experiencing delays and cancellations.

Stagecoach Highland first warned that services operating out of its Tain depot "are suspended at present" in an update it posted at 6.30am, but has since said some services are resuming

Services affected earlier included the 6.05am Tain to Inverness bus and the same vehicle's return trip at 8.05am.

The 6.35am 23C from Tain to Inverness via the Seaboard villages and return from Inverness to Invergordon at 8.45am is also not running.

The B9176 Struie road is also closed due to the adverse weather. Motorists are asked to seek alternative routes.

Services operating in the Inverness area meanwhile are operating but it was warning that due to the icy conditions "many services across the Inverness area are currently experiencing delays".

Buses out of its Aviemore depot were also running, and the timetable for the day was underway, but the firm added that "however with adverse weather conditions services may be subject to some delays throughout the morning."

A fallen tree also halted train services between Inverness and Aberdeen.

Services between the two cities are likely to be cancelled or disrupted until at least 10.30 am with the line blocked between Huntly and Keith.

Teams are on their way to clear the track, but the heavy snow is also hampering Network Rail’s response to the incident.

A Network Rail spokeswoman said: “We're responding to a report of a fallen tree blocking the railway between Keith and Huntly, on the Aberdeen-Inverness line.

“Our team is on their way, but heavy snow in the area is delaying their response. We'll share an update soon.”

A ScotRail spokesman said: “Because of a tree blocking the railway between Keith and Huntly, all lines are blocked.

“Train services running through these stations will be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected to last until around 10:30 today (20 November).

“Staff are being arranged to make way to site to remove the tree and as soon as we have more information we will let you know.”

The 0454 Inverness to Edinburgh (via Aberdeen) returned to Keith, while the 05:49 Inverness to Aberdeen, due 08:05, will terminate at Elgin, no longer calling at Keith, Huntly, Insch, Inverurie, Kintore, Dyce and Aberdeen.

The 06:59 Inverness to Aberdeen due 09:36 was cancelled.

The ScotRail spokesman added: “You can use your ticket or SMART card for travel on Stagecoach North buses at no extra cost on the following routes:

No 10 service between Inverness and Aberdeen

No 11 service between Inverness and Nairn

No 35 service between Aberdeen and Dyce

No 37 service between Aberdeen and Inverurie

“You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.”

The 06.47 Kingussie to Inverness train was also cancelled due to staff shortages.

Meanwhile, ferry sailings between Ullapool and Stornoway were running to the timetable, but CalMac was warning passengers that "due to weather forecast and predicted swell" services on Wednesday and Thursday were liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice.

It urged people travelling to check their crossing is running before starting their journey.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.