A programme of essential upgrades on the West Highland Line will begin in a month, with Network Rail preparing works to bolster the dependability of one of Scotland's best-known routes.

The line links communities in the Highlands with the Central Belt and carries thousands of visitors to leading tourist destinations.

The package is designed to keep day-to-day, business and leisure journeys running reliably well into the future.

From next month, engineers will deliver track renewals, drainage enhancements and key maintenance across the route between Helensburgh, Fort William and Mallaig to improve performance and resilience during severe weather.

The planned activity includes:

- Renewing more than 4km of worn track at locations between Helensburgh and Mallaig, including near Arisaig and Corrour, in the Loch nan Uamh and Beasdale tunnels, at Arrochar & Tarbet station, and on Gleann Mama Viaduct, to cut the risk of delays.

- Upgrading drainage and renewing culverts, including between Glen Douglas and Arrochar & Tarbet, to protect the line from flooding and extreme weather.

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- Refurbishing Fassfern Bridge near Spean Bridge and removing a redundant bridge near Loch Eil to maintain structures along the route.

- Clearing vegetation between Fort William and Arisaig to reduce disruption.

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

Gerry McQuade, capital delivery director at Network Rail Scotland, said: "In just a month's time, we'll get started on a major programme of improvements across the West Highland Line.

"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: "We know these works will mean changes to journeys for customers travelling on the West Highland Line, and we want to thank everyone for their patience while this important investment takes place.

"The improvements being delivered by Network Rail will help make the railway more reliable and resilient, helping to protect this vital route for the communities, businesses, and visitors who depend on it.

"We'll be doing everything we can to keep people moving during the works with a robust rail replacement plan in place. This includes buses replacing trains between Crianlarich and Fort William and Mallaig from Monday, 9 November until Tuesday, 17 November. Customers should plan ahead and check their journey before travelling."