Transport

Thurso residents are now busy picking up the pieces after flooding issues on the back of Storm Gerrit. What is the root cause of the problem?

Far North Line train services to and from Inverness remain cancelled today with Network Rail beginning mass safety checks on rail tracks.

Fergus Ewing has contacted transport minister Fiona Hyslop in response to a number of questions Highlanders have raised over the emergency's handling.

A landslide that closed the A9 overnight at Scrabster has been cleared in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says the backlog cost of road repairs needed in the Highlands has soared to more than £200 million.

The A9 will remain closed overnight at Scrabster after a landslide spread across the road leading to the ferry terminal and harbour.

The A9 has re-opened at Drumochter after a day of misery for drivers

A Highland MSP has successfully persuaded the Scottish Government to treat the A9's closure as a national emergency amid concern for those trapped.

SSEN reported five unplanned power outages across Caithness at 3pm today as Storm Gerrit brought chaos to the county.

Holyrood Notebook by Edward Mountain

The Met Office says that the likelihood of impacts from Storm Gerrit has been increased, particularly across Caithness.

Train travellers in the Highlands face another spate of cancelled services today as Storm Gerrit brings snow, heavy rain and winds of up to 70 mph.

Gales force winds up to 80mph are set to batter parts of the Highlands after the Met Office issued a yellow alert ahead of Storm Gerrit.

The Met Office warns of heavy rain and hill snow moving across parts of Caithness on Wednesday, December 27.

Ferry fares on the NorthLink Ferries service to Orkney and Shetland will increase by 8.7 per cent from April.

With wintry conditions prevailing throughout Caithness today, Far North MP Jamie Stone commented on the closure of the snow gates at the Ord.

The Inverness to Wick and Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh services have resumed.

The Met Office warns of strong winds bringing the potential for some disruption across Caithness on Sunday.

The Inverness to Wick and Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh services are suspended pending further updates.

Speed restrictions will be in force on all Highland lines until 9am on Christmas Eve amid ongoing Met Office weather warnings.