The West Highland Line, one of Scotland's most celebrated rail routes, will close for nine days in November as Network Rail undertakes £13m of improvements to enhance safety and reliability.

Linking Highland communities with the Central Belt and serving thousands of visitors each year, the route is a vital lifeline. The investment is designed to keep everyday, business and leisure journeys dependable well into the future.

Engineering teams will work at sites between Helensburgh, Fort William and Mallaig to renew track, upgrade drainage and maintain key structures. The programme targets general wear and tear, bolsters resilience to severe weather and aims to cut infrastructure-related delays and restrictions.

More than 4km of worn track will be replaced at locations between Helensburgh and Mallaig, including near Arisaig and Corrour, within the Loch nan Uamh and Beasdale tunnels, at Arrochar & Tarbet station and on the Gleann Mama Viaduct.

Drainage will be improved and culverts renewed, including between Glen Douglas and Arrochar & Tarbet, to help guard against flooding and extreme weather. Structural works include refurbishing Fassfern Bridge near Spean Bridge and removing a redundant bridge near Loch Eil, while vegetation will be cleared between Fort William and Arisaig to reduce the risk of disruption.

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To enable the work to be completed safely and efficiently, buses will replace trains between Crianlarich and Fort William/Mallaig from Monday 9 to Tuesday 17 November. Network Rail and train operators are working together to support local communities and passengers during the closure.

Gerry McQuade, capital delivery director at Network Rail Scotland, said: "The West Highland Line is one that people really depend on, whether they're travelling to work, visiting family or exploring some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery. This work is about making sure the route continues to provide a dependable service for the communities and visitors who use it every day.

"We know closing the line isn't ideal at any time, but it gives us the opportunity to carry out a large amount of work in one go, rather than causing repeated disruption over a longer period. We'd like to thank passengers and local communities for their patience while this takes place and look forward to reopening the line when these improvements are completed."

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: "The West Highland Line is an important lifeline for the communities it serves and one of the most iconic railway routes in Scotland, so this significant investment by Network Rail is very welcome.

"We know improvement works can cause disruption to journeys, and we're sorry for any inconvenience this essential work will cause.

"We'll be working closely with Network Rail to keep people informed and provide alternative travel arrangements so customers can continue to travel with confidence while the improvements are made. We're encouraging anyone planning to travel during the works to check their journey in advance and allow extra time for travel.

"The investment will help improve the resilience and reliability of the railway, supporting the communities, businesses and visitors who depend on the West Highland Line for many years to come."