Police have named a teenage girl who died after being hit by a car on a notoriously dangerous road.

Hollie Mackay, 15, was struck on the A9 at Invergordon in the Highlands yesterday.

The girl, who lived locally, was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness with serious injuries and later died.

The accident happened north of the Shandwick Inn at Kildary at about 5.30pm.

The road was closed in both directions while officers investigated the scene. Police have appealed for any witnesses to contact them on 101.

The death is the latest in a spate of accidents on the road in recent years.

In July, a crash involving two cars killed three people near Kingussie in the Highlands.

The Scottish Government has pledged to upgrade the A9 - which is the main road to the Highlands - to a dual carriageway by 2025, with a £3 billion project to convert 80 miles of the road.

Plans to install average speed cameras along the road from Dunblane to Inverness, at a cost of £2.5 million, have also been announced and they are expected to be fully operational by next summer.

The acting headteacher of Invergordon Academy paid tribute to the "popular and talented" Secondary 4 pupil who was returning home after taking part in an after-school drama session when she was hit by a car.

Alison Drew said: "Hollie was a popular and thoughtful member of our close-knit school community.

"She was a talented musician, a keen skier and drama was one of her real passions.

"She was a key player in the Invergordon Youth Theatre and also attended drama activities at Eden Court.

"Hollie represented the school in plays, musical performances, sports and other events.

"She had taken part in an after-school drama session immediately before the accident.

"She was an outstanding pupil, who was popular with her friends and highly regarded by school staff.

"She will be greatly missed by all of us. Our thoughts are with her family and friends."

Special assemblies were held this morning and rooms were set aside for pupils to receive counselling and support.

The school said that staff and volunteers are available to support pupils.