Highland Mainline closed as heavy rain causes flooding and dangerous conditions

A major railway line in the Highlands has been closed after heavy downpours caused flooding and dangerous conditions.

Services between Inverness and Perth have been canceled due to dangerous water levels on the railway.

Network Rail said the Highland Mainline had been closed at Kingussie due to dangerous water levels at the Gynack Burn and Balavil Burn, leaving it “well above” safe limits for train operation.

An amber weather warning for heavy rain and flooding is in force for Moray and the Highlands until 5pm on Tuesday.

Network Rail is also dealing with 15 incidents of flooding on the Far North line, which has been closed at Dunrobin Castle due to debris washed onto the tracks, a landslide near Brora and is monitoring the Dalguise Viaduct over the Tay.

ScotRail said ticket acceptance is in place with Stagecoach buses between Inverness and Dingwall/Wick while cancellations continue.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued multiple flood warnings and said Scotland will see “significant flooding impacts” in the coming days as more persistent and heavy rain arrives.

Yellow weather warnings for rain, wind and snow are in force for almost all of Scotland on Tuesday, prompting the cancellation of Edinburgh’s outdoor Hogmanay celebrations.

STV meteorologist Sean Batty said the Northern Islands will face “particularly” challenging conditions, with heavy rain turning to snow as colder air arrives.

“Heavy rain here will turn to snow as colder air begins to dig south and could lead to blizzard conditions due to strong winds,” he said.

He added that the whole country will also experience strong winds, with gales in the north and west and further spells of heavy rain, especially in the Highlands.

“Later in the day, rain will become heavier for most, although rain in the north will easily turn to snow at night,” he said.

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