Skye road to remain closed with 40-mile diversion after landslip

A road on the Isle of Skye will remain closed until further notice after it was blocked by a landslip on Friday.

The ground fell away from the side of the A855 north of Uig onto a local access road, but there were no injuries.

The A855 road encircles the Trotternish peninsula in the north of the island, and a diversion via the A87 and A855 Staffin Road is in place.

Highland Council says remedial work is under way with road teams working to clear the debris.

The C1225 Quiraing Road is also open as a temporary alternative route for road users, but it requires significant improvement work and is not suitable for a high volumes of traffic.

Drivers have been asked to use the A855 diversion if possible, especially if they are travelling in larger vehicles.

The distance varies depending on the destination, but it could add 40 miles (64km) onto some journeys.

The council will continue to clear the area by stacking rock armour to stabilise the bank, which is being transported from Sconser on the other side of the island.

It said the area had experienced significant rainfall in recent weeks, and all the circumstances which contributed to the landslide were being investigated.

A spokesperson added: "The full focus of our roads team is to stabilise the bank and get the road open again.

"While the road remains closed, we are also taking the opportunity to carry out drainage works within the affected section, alongside the wider stabilisation and remedial works."

The landslip was caught on CCTV from a nearby house and saw the local road left completely blocked.

It meant a group of visiting schoolchildren were temporarily separated from their packed lunches until a local woman volunteered to retrieve them by bike.

The road may need to remain closed for days to come as "detailed surveying" works continue, according to local councillor Chrissie Gillies.