UPDATE: The A9 has now reopened in both directions following a road traffic collision and subsequent investigation. However, Traffic Scotland warned that the alternative routes "remain incredibly busy with traffic backed up".
THE A9 has been closed in both directions, causing chaos as drivers have been forced onto smaller roads to avoid the closure.
The main trunk road, which connects Inverness and the far north to the Central Belt through Perth, is completely closed north of Dunkeld after a road traffic collision. The closure remained in place for a "collision investigation" until around 4.30pm, after which police confirmed there had been a fatality.
Traffic Scotland warned that diversion routes are "heavily congested".
The agency urged drivers to use an alternative route, although no suitable diversion was initially in place for drivers heading southbound. A 37-mile diversion is now in place, while there is a 26-mile diversion for northbound traffic.
These recommended diversion routes are:
- Northbound: Take off slip onto the A822 Signposted A822 Crieff/Crìanlarich (A85) – turn right onto A826 Signposted Aberfeldy – turn right onto A827 – continue on A827 signposted Ballinluig – rejoin A9. Distance: 26.2 miles
- Southbound: Take the off slip onto the A924 Signposted Pitlochry – Turn left onto the A924 Signposted Pitlochry and continue on Atholl Road to the junction of W Moulin Road and Atholl Road – Turn left onto W Moulin Road Signposted Moulin, Blairgowrie A93 and continue on the A924 through Kirkmichael to Bridge of Cally – At T-junction at Bridge of Cally turn right onto the A93 Signposted Perth – At crossroads turn right onto Boat Brae – A93 Signposted Town Centre Perth – At traffic signals continue straight over onto Wellmeadow and follow the road to the junction of Gas Brae and Reform Street – Take the second exit and enter Reform Street – Turn left onto Reform Street and continue to the junction of Dunkeld Street and Perth Street – Turn right onto the A923 Signposted Dunkeld – Follow the A923 to the junction with the A9. Distance: 36.6 miles.
Traffic Scotland said at 3.35pm that there was a 30-minute delay southbound, and 45-minute delays northbound.
Police Scotland said: “The A9 is closed in both directions at Dunkeld following a report of a crash around 10.25am on Monday, 17 August, 2026.
“Emergency services are at the scene and diversions are being put in place.
“Motorists are advised to take an alternative route.”
On Facebook, users reported seeing an Air Ambulance attend the site of the incident.
Others shared clips of traffic at a standstill on small country roads. “A924 Pitlochry to Blairgowrie Road at a standstill,” one user said of a road on the southbound diversion. “Buses and wood lorries don’t mix well. Roads far too narrow for these big vehicles.”
Further north, the A9 was also closed in both directions following a crash at Alness earlier on Monday, but reopened around 9am.
Elsewhere, the A82 – another key trunk road connecting the Central Belt to the Highlands and west coast – was also closed in both directions for several hours on Monday.
The A82 road was closed at Tyndrum at around 11.30am after a collision. It reopened just before 2pm, with Traffic Scotland reporting: “All lanes are now running in both directions following the earlier road traffic collision. Traffic in the area remains heavy however should begin to revert back to normal levels shortly.”
