Commuters have been warned to expect traffic chaos outside a city school this week because a roadworks project has overrun.
Highland Council has issued guidelines to pupils and parents at Inverness Royal Academy in Culduthel Road.
The route is heavily used by drivers heading to the south side of the city centre.
With the school scheduled to open for the new term tomorrow, the area for pupils to be dropped off is currently a mass of earth and digging machinery.
Outside the school, several hundred yards of pavement is out of use, with a deep fenced-off ditch running alongside the road instead.
The walkway to the building’s main entrance is also dotted with large craters and fenced-off, which will force pupils to filter along a narrower passage to get in.
The council has said the problems will persists until September, and has apologised to parents and pupils.
A spokeswoman said: “Parents and carers are being advised that works for the drop-off and car park area at Inverness Royal Academy will not be completed for the start of term when the school reopens to pupils on Tuesday.
“All visitors to the school and people dropping off pupils are urged to take care and use the alternative parking arrangements that have been put in place at nearby Rollerbowl.
“The council apologises for any inconvenience which has been caused by delays to the planned programme of works due to last-minute technical issues.
“Car parking at the front of the school will be used for bus and taxi drop-offs and staff parking only. It should be entered from Culduthel Road and the exit is on to Culduthel Avenue, the same as usual. Parents and visitors should use Rollerbowl to drop off and pick up.”
All pedestrians visiting the school, including pupils, staff and visitors will be directed along the temporary walkways, which will be signposted, while cyclists can use the bike compound.