Police have named a motorcyclist who died after a two-vehicle collision on the A835 road to Ullapool.
James Stead from Evanton was involved in the incident with a burgundy Ford Fiesta just half a mile north of the Corrieshalloch Gorge junction at about 2.30pm yesterday.
Emergency services treated the 50-year-old after coming off his Triumph motorbike.
A spokesman said: “Police can confirm the identity of the man who died on the A835 at the Braemore Junction on Thursday, July 19.
“He was James Stead, 50, from the Evanton area.
“Nobody else was injured in the collision.
“Enquiries are ongoing into the incident and anybody with information who has not yet spoken to an officer is asked to the Road Policing Unit in Dingwall on 101, quoting reference NE4748/18.”
Motorists were being advised to avoid the area as officers confirmed the road would remain closed for several hours as an investigation got under way.
Traffic was being diverted through Lairg as emergency services remained at the scene.
A police spokesman described it as a “serious” accident.
Police Scotland can confirm that one male has sadly died following a two vehicle collision on the A835 earlier today (Thursday 19th July, 2018).
The collision involving a motorcycle and motor car was reported to Police at 2:35pm and happened nearhttps://t.co/mOGTCebJyW
— NorthernPolice (@northernPolice) July 19, 2018
Councillor Derek MacLeod for Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh said he was not aware of the motorists involved.
He said: “I don’t know if it’s a local or a tourist but regardless of that, it’s tragic for all the people involved.”
Police said they were aware that a number of motorists delayed on the road were due to travel on a CalMac ferry to the Western Isles.
Due to the diversion, the ferry operator confirmed the 5pm Ullapool to Stornoway service would leave at a later time so motorists to make their way to the terminal.
In an announcement published online, Calmac Ferries stated: “Due to a serious accident on the A835 outside Ullapool, the road is closed and traffic is being diverted via Lairg, which will add one-and-a-half hours to the journey.
“Ullapool port intend to hold the MV Loch Seaforth until 7pm to allow diverted traffic to get to the terminal.”
Police also advised that they had spoken to the ferry operators and arrangements had been put in place to allow passengers who missed the crossing to travel on the freight ferry at 3am this morning instead.
Transport Scotland also published advice to drivers on its website stating that the A835 road was closed in both directions at Corrieshalloch Gorge.