Confirmed Highland road closures and other flooding hit spots
The number of flooding-affected routes in the Highlands continues to grow amid heavy and persistent rain across much of the region.
At the time of writing numerous routes were affected - from major trunk routes, to local A roads and small unclassified routes.
Among the busiest roads affected was the A9, which was closed in Easter Ross at Tomich due to flooding and a broken down vehicle.
And there were reports of mud and debris on the road on the A82 at Lochend, although Bear Scotland was advising motorists that this section was still passable with care.
However, that was not the case on a number of other routes.
Highland Council has confirmed the closure of the following roads.
• Sutherland - C1003 from A837 Lochinver via Inverkirkaig and Inverpolly to C1047 at Badnagyle Road, Lochinver due to river flooding. Diversion via A835 and A837.
• Sutherland - A838 between Merkland and Overskaig due to snow conditions. Road has reopened but drivers still warned to use caution.
• Black Isle - A832 closed between Avoch and Fortrose due to landslide.
#Inverness
— Stagecoach Highland (@StagecoachHLand) December 31, 2024
Good morning
Due to a landslide between Avoch and Fortrose the road is currently closed, all service 26s are currently under review, update to follow.
Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause pic.twitter.com/AJYnxyTuyk
• Black Isle - Fallen tree blocking the B9163 between the village of Jemmimaville and the B9160 junction. Operatives on route, expect delayed journey time this morning.
• Inverness-shire - B851 closed at Flichity Bridge due to flooding.
• Easter Ross - B817 from Skiach Junction to Westford roundabout. Known locally as the Balnacraggan straight.
• Easter Ross - B817 from the junction at Invergordon High Street to Cromarty Port Authority.
• Badenoch & Strathspey - B9152 near Dunachton, south of Kincraig closed due to flooding.
Flash flooding and standing water was also causing issues at numerous locations, such as Tore, and also at the likes of the Rose Street multi-storey car park in Inverness, with water pooling on the lowest floor on Tuesday morning.
Away from the roads, popular walking spots like the Ness Islands in Inverness are also closed to the public due to flooding. Confirming the news in a tweet at 8.45am, Highland Council warned that owing to the forecast, the islands were likely to remain shut to the public until at least January 3.
📆 Tuesday, 31 December 2024
— The Highland Council (@HighlandCouncil) December 31, 2024
⌚ 9:45am
⚠️ The Ness Islands #Inverness have been closed due to high flood risk. The public will be notified when the situation changes, however, this closure is likely to remain in place until Friday, 3 Jan due to current weather forecasts.
Other modes of transport have also not been immune to the weather, with major disruption on rail and ferry routes, with the Highland mainline still closed at Kingussie, and ScotRail announcing the closure of the Far North Line and Kyle Line on Hogmanay morning due to flooding between Dingwall and Inverness.
CalMac sailings in the Minch were also heavily impacted by the rough weather.
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