Inverness Rail Passengers Face Disruption After Train Incident, Edinburgh 2026

Key Points

• The LNER service from Inverness to Edinburgh has been cancelled due to an event that saw someone get run over by a train.
• The event took place between Aviemore and Inverness and it is believed to have happened at Carrbridge.
• The emergency crews got there but all the tracks between Aviemore and Inverness have been closed due to the situation.
• LNER indicated that the morning train service from Inverness will run with a rail replacement bus service as the train will leave from Edinburgh.
• Services from Perth to Inverness were likely to be canceled, rescheduled or delayed by up to 60 minutes.
• It is likely to continue disrupting services throughout the day.
• The passengers affected were advised to seek information at the departure board or talk to the station officers.
• Further comment had been sought from Police Scotland.
• LNER also pointed the affected individuals to the Samaritans.

Edinburgh Live Traffic & Travel  (Edinburgh Daily) August 13, 2026 – LNER service between Inverness and Edinburgh cancelled today after a person was hit by a train between Aviemore and Inverness, with emergency services attending the incident. The Inverness Courier reported that the disruption was affecting the railway line between the two stations, while the exact circumstances remained unconfirmed.

The incident is understood to have occurred in or near the Carrbridge area. No further details about the person involved, the train or the circumstances leading up to the incident had been confirmed in the available reporting.

LNER said an emergency response was under way. While emergency services dealt with the incident and carried out their work, the railway lines between Aviemore and Inverness were closed.

The closure affected services operating between Perth and Inverness, including trains travelling towards Edinburgh and those heading north towards Inverness. LNER warned that services could be cancelled, revised or delayed by up to 60 minutes.

Why has the LNER service been cancelled?

The cancellation follows the closure of the railway line after a person was hit by a train. The emergency response required the lines between Aviemore and Inverness to remain closed while the relevant services dealt with the incident.

In a disruption notice reported by the Inverness Courier, LNER said:

“Disruption between Perth and Inverness expected until the end of the day.”

The company added: “Further information: A person has been hit by a train between Aviemore and Inverness.”

LNER also stated: “Whilst the emergency response to this incident and carry out their work all lines between these stations will be closed.”

The wording in the disruption notice indicated that the closure was not expected to be limited to a short period. Instead, passengers were warned that disruption could continue until the end of the day, with services subject to cancellation, alteration or delays.

The Inverness Courier reported that the 17.33 LNER service from Edinburgh, which was due to arrive in Inverness at 21.23, appeared to be held at Aviemore. ScotRail and LNER services were also reported to have been cancelled.

What replacement travel is available for passengers?

LNER’s morning service from Inverness has a bus replacement in place, according to the travel information provided for the affected route. The replacement arrangement means passengers travelling from Inverness towards Edinburgh are being directed to rail-replacement transport.

The train service will then depart from Edinburgh. Passengers using the replacement service have been advised to check the latest information before travelling, as the timing and availability of onward connections may change while the disruption continues.

LNER said:

“We are sorry for the inconvenience to your journey today. Customers travelling from station between Inverness and Edinburgh will be provided with rail replacement.”

The company also advised passengers:

“Please consult station departure boards or speak to station staff.”

For passengers arriving in Edinburgh, LNER said:

“On arrival into Edinburgh please join the next available LNER service towards your destination.”

Passengers should therefore allow additional time for their journey and expect the replacement bus to take longer than a normal direct train journey. Those travelling to connect with another service should also check whether their onward train is operating before leaving for the station.

Which services are affected by the disruption?

The disruption affects the route between Perth and Inverness, including the section between Aviemore and Inverness where the incident occurred.

LNER stated that services between Perth and Inverness would be cancelled, revised or delayed by up to 60 minutes. The company expected the disruption to continue until the end of the day.

The Inverness Courier reported that the disruption was affecting both LNER and ScotRail services. The impact could therefore extend beyond passengers booked on the specific train involved in the incident.

Passengers travelling between Inverness, Aviemore, Perth and Edinburgh may experience changes to their scheduled services. Trains may terminate earlier than planned, depart at different times or be replaced by road transport.

The railway operator’s advice was for passengers to consult station departure boards or speak directly to station staff. This is particularly important because the position may change as emergency services complete their work and railway operators assess when the line can safely reopen.

What has LNER said to passengers?

LNER apologised for the effect of the disruption on passengers’ journeys.

Its statement said:

“We are sorry for the inconvenience to your journey today.”

The operator confirmed that passengers travelling between Inverness and Edinburgh would be provided with rail-replacement transport. It also said that passengers arriving in Edinburgh should use the next available LNER service towards their destination.

LNER’s wider disruption notice said: “As a result, services between Perth and Inverness will be cancelled, revised or delayed up to 60 minutes. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.”

The company also provided support information for anyone affected by what happened on the railway. It said:

“If you’ve been affected by what happened on the network today, there is always someone to talk to. You can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 from any phone for a confidential chat.”

The Samaritans number is available for confidential emotional support. LNER did not provide further confirmed details about the person involved in the incident.

What is known about the emergency response?

Emergency services attended after the report that a person had been hit by a train between Aviemore and Inverness.

The railway lines between the two stations were closed while the emergency response was under way. The closure was also required to allow the relevant services to carry out their work safely.

At the time of the available report, there were no confirmed details about the person’s condition or identity. There was also no confirmed account of how the incident happened.

Police Scotland had been asked for comment. No police statement was included in the available report, so further information about the circumstances, any investigation and the reopening of the line remained outstanding.

How should passengers check for updates?

Passengers should check the latest information before travelling. LNER advised customers to use station departure boards or speak to station staff for updates about replacement buses, cancellations and revised departure times.

Travellers should also check the status of their full journey rather than only the first train. A replacement bus from Inverness may connect with a train departing from Edinburgh, but onward services could be affected by delays or timetable changes.

Passengers who are already at a station should follow announcements and instructions from railway staff. Those who have not yet started their journey may wish to confirm whether their train is operating before travelling to the station.

The available information did not confirm the exact time when the railway line would reopen. LNER’s notice said disruption was expected until the end of the day, meaning passengers should not assume that normal services will resume immediately.

What should passengers do if their journey is disrupted?

Passengers affected by the cancellation should retain their tickets and check the operator’s latest travel advice. They should speak to LNER or station staff if they need clarification about replacement transport or onward travel.

Travellers should allow extra time because a rail-replacement bus may use roads affected by normal traffic conditions. They should also avoid relying on the original train timetable until the route has returned to normal operation.

Anyone making an important connection from Edinburgh should check the availability of the next LNER service towards their destination. LNER’s guidance was that passengers arriving in Edinburgh should join the next available service.

The incident also means that passengers may face crowding on replacement buses or later trains. The operators’ advice to check departure boards and speak to staff is therefore the most reliable way to obtain information at the time of travel.

What is the background to the development?

The disruption follows a report that a person was hit by a train on the railway line between Aviemore and Inverness. The Inverness Courier reported that emergency services attended and that all lines between the two stations were closed while the response continued.

The incident affected the wider Perth-to-Inverness route, with LNER warning of cancellations, revised services and delays of up to 60 minutes. The closure also affected ScotRail and LNER operations, according to the available report.

The exact location was described as being between Aviemore and Inverness, with the incident understood to have taken place in the Carrbridge area. However, the available reporting did not confirm the identity or condition of the person involved.

Police Scotland had been approached for further information. Until an official update is issued, details about the circumstances of the incident should be treated as unconfirmed.

How could the disruption affect passengers?

Passengers travelling between Inverness and Edinburgh are likely to face longer journeys, changes to their planned route and possible missed connections while the railway line remains closed.

The most immediate effect is the replacement of the Inverness morning service by bus transport. Passengers may then need to board the next available LNER service from Edinburgh, rather than continuing on their original train.

The disruption could also affect passengers using stations between Perth and Inverness, because LNER warned that services in that section could be cancelled, revised or delayed by up to 60 minutes. Travellers should check current information shortly before departure and allow additional time.

The extent of the impact will depend on how quickly the emergency response is completed and when railway operators can safely reopen the line. Until that happens, passengers should rely on official station information and updates from LNER and National Rail rather than the original timetable.