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Landslip leaves Skye drivers facing 40-mile diversion

The landslip was captured on CCTV from a nearby house

Drivers on Skye are facing a 40-mile diversion after a landslide led to a road closure.

The ground fell away from the side of the A855 north of Uig onto a local access road on Friday afternoon and an inspection later confirmed it would have to stay shut over the weekend.

The A855 road encircles the Trotternish peninsula in the north of the island and a diversion route is now in place.

No-one was injured by the landslip - which was caught on CCTV from a nearby house - but a group of visiting schoolchildren found themselves temporarily separated from their packed lunches until a local woman volunteered to retrieve them by bike.

The road could have to remain closed into next week as "detailed surveying" works continue, according to local councillor Chrissie Gillies.

Highland Council A bare area of soil after a landslip from the side of a higher road onto a smaller road belowHighland Council
Soil and rocks fell from the side A855 towards a smaller access road below
Jon Preedy A large amount of soil, grass and rocks blocking a roadJon Preedy
The local road was left completely blocked

An update from Highland Council on Saturday said: "Following this morning's inspection, the A855 at Idrigill Bend will remain closed over the weekend.

"Our roads team are working to remove the slipped material from the road while an assessment takes place for the necessary repair works."