Walkers will have to follow the River Coe westwards for 700m to the Coire nan Lochan bridge

Walkers and climbers heading for a Highland valley will have to contend with a bridge closure and diversion for longer than expected.

Repair work on the Coire Gabhail bridge in Glencoe was due to take eight weeks but is overrunning, meaning a 1km diversion to reach the main car park used by visitors heading for the Lost Valley.

The work began on 19 June but 12 weeks later the bridge, near the Meeting of Three Waters, has still not been replaced.

The National Trust for Scotland, which owns the land, said the delay is due to unforeseen circumstances.

The trust apologised for the inconvenience to walkers and mountaineers heading to the Coire Gabhail from Allt-na-Ruidh. The nearest crossing of the River Coe is 700m to the West on the path leading to Coire nan Lochan.

That bridge is at NN 167 567. The NTS said it is not safe to cross the river at the point where the Coire Gabhail bridge was.

The gate leading to the Coire Gabhail bridge will remain padlocked

Walkers are asked to respect the closure.

The alternative route follows a line south of the River Coe. There is no maintained path until the route into Coire nan Lochan is met.

Work on the Coire Gabhail bridge includes replacing steps on the northern side, new decking and hand rails for the bridge and the installation of a metal rope on the south side.