Rest and be Thankful road reopens after seven landslides

The landslide-hit A83 road in Argyll has reopened four days after heavy rain forced its closure.

Bear Scotland said about 12,000 tonnes of mud and rocks had been removed from the road near the Rest and Be Thankful which was hit by seven landslips.

The road management operator said it was now clear of debris and safe for motorists.

The area around the A83 near Inveraray saw a month's worth of rainfall, about 160mm, over 36 hours.

Heavy and persistent rainfall on Friday evening and Saturday caused major disruption on the trunk and local roads networks.

A Met Office yellow warning for rain in Argyll, Glasgow, Falkirk, Perth and Kinross, Stirling and the West Highlands was in place until 21:00 on Tuesday.

Ten people had to be airlifted from their vehicles on the A83 on Saturday. A HM Coastguard helicopter was used to take them to safety.

No injuries were reported.

Of the seven landslides reported in the area, Bear Scotland described two, at the A815 junction with Dunoon, as "very substantial".

The closure of the junction left village communities such as Lochgoilhead, Strachur and Cairndow temporality shut-off and forced those travelling to make lengthy diversions via ferries for normally short journeys.

Other landslides were reported on the Rest and be Thankful and at Glen Kinglas.

Argyll and Bute Council have also confirmed the A815 will reopen, but the B828 road to Lochgoilhead will remain closed due to flood damage.