Engineers have started carrying out checks to the railway line between Fort William and Mallaig following a landslip early on Monday, 22 January.

Tonnes of stone and mud were deposited overnight onto the track after the mountainside gave way above the railway.

Work to clear the debris will only begin once engineers have completed checks, including aerial inspections, to ensure the slope above the railway is stable. Recovery works are expected to get underway today, 23 January.

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David Dickson, ScotRail Alliance infrastructure director, said: "Our engineers are on-site assessing the damage and working to put plans in place repair to the line.

"We will reopen the railway as soon as possible, but significant work is required to clear the line and stabilise the slope above.

"We are grateful to customers for their patience during the disruption and buses are running between Fort William and Mallaig to help keep people on the move."

Trains between Glasgow Queen Street and Mallaig are terminating at, and starting from, Fort William. A replacement bus service is in operation to keep passengers on the move between Fort William and Mallaig.

Network Rail said customers delayed by 30 minutes or more can claim a refund under ScotRail’s Delay Repay compensation scheme. Anyone wishing to claim should keep hold of their ticket and visit the ScotRail website.

(LM/MH)