Police Scotland has launched a major investigation following an apparent act of sabotage on the country's rail network. Critical signalling equipment was deliberately tampered with near Inverness, causing significant disruption to services across the Highlands.
The incident, described by authorities as 'malicious interference', occurred on the Highland Main Line between Perth and Inverness. Network Rail engineers discovered cables had been intentionally damaged at a remote location near Tomatin, about 15 miles south of Inverness.
Widespread Travel Chaos
The sabotage caused hours of delays and cancellations across ScotRail's network, affecting thousands of passengers. Services between Inverness and Edinburgh/Glasgow were particularly impacted, with some routes suspended entirely during peak travel times.
Chief Inspector Brian Shaw of Police Scotland confirmed: "This was a deliberate act targeting critical rail infrastructure. We're treating this with the utmost seriousness and have dedicated significant resources to the investigation."
Safety Concerns Raised
Rail industry experts have expressed alarm at the incident, noting that tampering with signalling equipment could have had catastrophic consequences. "This wasn't just vandalism - it was an attack that could have endangered lives," said one Network Rail source speaking anonymously.
The British Transport Police has joined the investigation, with officers conducting forensic examinations at the scene and reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas.
Ongoing Disruption
While repairs were completed by late afternoon, residual delays continued throughout the evening. Passengers are advised to check with ScotRail before travelling, as some services may still be affected.
Authorities are appealing to the public for information, particularly from anyone who may have noticed suspicious activity in the Tomatin area between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
