A bus was almost completely destroyed after catching fire while travelling on the A9 on the outskirts of Inverness.
The driver was praised last night after all passengers were believed to have escaped safely from the blaze.
However, many of those on board the coach were said to have been given a “big fright” by the incident.
Firefighters rushed to the scene when smoke started billowing from the bus just after 1.30pm on Saturday, as it was heading southbound on the Inverness to Perth road.
The driver pulled into a layby, just south of Daviot and ensured all passengers evacuated the vehicle immediately.
Two fire brigade crews from Inverness battled the fire using specialist hose equipment and breathing apparatus.
A spokeswoman for the service said yesterday that the bus had been 80% destroyed during the blaze.
The brigade could not comment on the cause of the fire last night, but the spokeswoman said that everyone on board the bus had been taken off the vehicle and safely cleared from the area, before being picked up.
The blaze was brought under control at 2.23pm, about 50 minutes after it was reported.
Traffic was restricted on the A9 in both directions for about 45 minutes because of the hazardous conditions caused by the smoke.
Jillian Scullion’s partner was the driver of the bus. She said: “He had a well-earned stiff drink last night when he got home. So glad to just get him home safe.
“The outcome could have been very different.”
On the Press and Journal’s social media page, Shirley MacLean said: “Well done to the driver for getting all persons off safely. I spoke to him later on in the day.
“I think everyone got a big fright.”
