Snow in Scotland: The main Highland train line has been closed due to 'deep' snowdrifts

ScotRail has announced that the Highland Main Line has been closed at Dalwhinnie, due to snowdrifts with up to two feet of snow recorded on sections of the line as weather warnings come into place across Scotland.

Snowy conditions affecting the train lines in Scotland (Photo: ScotRail and Network Rail).

Heavy snowfall on the rail track between Carrbridge to Blair Atholl is also disrupting train services between Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness.

The Dalwhinnie closure is a result of ‘deep, drifting snow’, according to ScotRail.

Network Rail Scotland have said they have recorded up to two feet of snow on sections of the line due to heavy drifts coming in off surrounding land.

Conditions Network Rail are dealing with in Tomatin, further north on the Highland Mainline (Photo: Network Rail).

The rail service have arranged a track team to attend to initially assess the depth of the snow and are working ready their ploughs at the section of the track at Dalwhinnie to clear the snowdrift.

Despite plans to resolve the issue, disruption's are expected until at least lunchtime.

The Glasgow and Edinburgh to Inverness services will terminate and start back from Perth while the line north is closed.

A Network Rail Scotland spokesperson said: “We’re working to clear the line and fully reopen the railway as quickly as possible.”

If people are able to postpone their journey, ScotRail is asking them to do so.

There is an option to travel via Aberdeen if needed, however, the train service is urging people to be aware that this will add a significant amount of time to their journey.

Customers can use valid ScotRail tickets and Smartcards on Citylink coaches M90 and G90 between Perth and Inverness.

The Met Office has issued various weather warnings across Scotland and the rest of the UK, with an amber warning of heavy snowfalls coming into effect from midnight tonight across much of the Highlands.

A yellow warning will come into effect in many areas in Scotland today (Thursday, February 4) at 6pm.

Transport Scotland is urging people to remember to travel only when their journey is ‘absolutely necessary’ particularly if they are in an amber warning affected area.

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