A VITAL road is due to reopen this morning two days after it was closed by landslides, leaving travellers with a detour of more than 130 miles.

The closure of the A890 Stromeferry bypass this week has meant that pupils from Lochcarron and Applecross who attend Plockton High School have not been at their desks since Monday.

Meanwhile, a decision will be taken today on whether to reopen the A83 in Argyll later today, which was closed by the biggest landslide yet at the Rest and Be Thankful after days of heavy rain. The Old Military Road diversion route remains operational.

Last night Highland ­Council said the A890 would open at 7am this morning under traffic management, but would close again this evening. It is expected further work will be required in the coming days and this may necessitate further temporary closures.

Engineers have been clearing more than 2,000 tonnes of debris as they tried to reopen the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful. Contractor Bear Scotland said about 1,500 tonnes had so far been removed. A spokesman said: "This is the largest recorded landslide in the area, the previous worst was in September 2009 when around 1,000 tonnes of material came down the slope."