A Kingussie youth sped along a potholed dirt track at 75 mph before overturning his father’s car on to a railway line.
The teenager and his passenger escaped relatively unscathed from the early morning crash last May.
But Inverness Sheriff Court heard that the 17-year-old was almost four times the drink driving limit, and did not have a driving licence or insurance.
The youth, who cannot be named, appeared before Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood to admit the three offences and one of dangerous driving.
Fiscal Roderick Urquhart said: “He returned from work around 10.30pm when he told his mother that he was going out, stating that he would not be late.
“He then met up with three other young men aged 15, 16 and 17 and he and the 16-year-old consumed a quantity of alcohol.
“After a while he told the others he would take them for a drive – although he had been drinking and was not old enough to drive. He also he had not had any driving lessons and was not permitted to use the family car.”
Mr Urquhart said two of his friends were concerned at his driving and got out of the car after a short time.
“He then lost control of the car which left the road, collided with a fence before overturning and coming to rest on its roof on the railway line.” Mr Urquhart went on.
The car lay on its roof on the northbound line about 1.50 a.m. on Monday 18 May. The next train was not expected until around 7am.
Police were called and the car was traced to the youngster’s parents address.
Mr Urquhart added: “During the journey to Aviemore police station he kept apologizing to officers.”
In addition to the damage caused to the car, the cost of repair to Network Rail equipment and boundary fence was estimated at between £5,000 and £10,000, Mr Urquhart said.
The teenager will be sentenced on May 10.
