The remote Slochd summit on the A9 is to be included in the latest ground investigation contract for the A9 Dualling programme, the government has announced.

The second highest point on the A9 at over 1,300 feet above sea level is part of the challenging 15 mile Dalraddy to Slochd stretch of the route.

Raeburn Drilling and Geotechnical Ltd will undertake the contract totaling over £5 million with work due to get underway next month and last until March 2019.

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity said: "The A9 Dualling programme between Perth and Inverness is one of the largest and most challenging infrastructure projects in Scotland's history and we will be starting the latest of a series of ground investigations on the route.

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"Having published draft Orders for the Dalraddy to Slochd scheme at the end of August, we are now carrying out further ground investigations starting next month to help inform the design work for the section of the route which includes the dramatic rock face at Slochd."

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "Some of this work will take place on or near the live carriageway and in order to ensure the safety of both road workers and road users we will need to introduce traffic management arrangements.

"Road users and local communities will be kept informed of our plans and we will endeavour to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum."