Traill Street in Thurso was closed due to safety concerns due to a partial building collapse.
Emergency services were called to the town centre at about 5am today after large chunks of masonry fell to the ground.
Police closed the road, which forms part of the A9, just before 6am with traffic and pedestrians urged to avoid the area during the closure.
The masonry fell from the former Clydesdale Bank branch in the town, which is now home to a studio and workshop for artist Lindsey Gallacher and a studio for Tracey Inkson Photography.
It is understood the standstone formed an overhang from the roof, which gave way during the night.
No high winds were forecast overnight in the Thurso area.
Social media posts from concerned locals speculated about the disastrous consequences that could have unfolded had the stones fallen later in the morning.
Ms Gallacher told the P&J she had not been allowed to visit the building this morning to assess the damage.
Ms Inkson has also been unable to return to the building.
Former Thurso bank is listed building
The Traill Street structure in Thurso is a B-listed building after it inspired other buildings locally.
Built in 1866, Historic Environment Scotland says its success led to the redesign of the Town Hall just four years later.
It was formerly the Aberdeen Town and County Bank and was recently a Clydesdale Bank branch, until it closed in 2017.
Traffic disruption due to Traill Street closure
The building then failed to sell at auction in 2019 before being converted into a home for local businesses.
Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner posted on social media that Highland Council was made aware of the damage between 4am and 5am by police.
A police spokesman said: “Around 3.35am on Monday, 1 May, we were called to reports of damage to a building in Traill Street, Thurso.”
The road remained closed for around 16 hours before eventually reopening at around 10pm.
CLEAR✅ ⌚22:05#A9 Thurso
All lanes now running in both directions at Traill Street following an earlier partially collapsed building #TakeCare@NWTrunkRoads
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) May 1, 2023
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