A man was killed when his car smashed into a lamppost after veering off the A9.
The 68-year-old’s vehicle went out of control and mounted the verge before hitting the street light.
The accident happened on the Inverness-Thurso stretch of the notorious road at the Tain bypass.
The driver was travelling alone in his silver Renault Megane estate and died at the scene. No other vehicle was involved.
The accident happened about 180 yards south of the junction with Knockbreck Road, not far from an Asda supermarket.
An air ambulance was called but was stood down and the fire service was not asked to go to the scene.
The dead man had not been named by police last night, although a spokeswoman confirmed that he was local to the Highlands.
The front of the car was left badly crumpled and the lamppost – which was snapped in the impact – was left lying on the verge.
The estate car had been heading south and carrying lengths of wood, which could be seen hanging out of the back of the vehicle and resting in the middle of the road.
Parts of the car’s bonnet were strewn across the grass verge and engine oil had spilled from the car on to the carriageway
Sergeant Donnie MacKinnon, of the road policing unit in Dingwall, said: “It was just one vehicle that was involved.
“The investigation officers are working to find out how it happened by scanning the locus and they will be speaking to witnesses as well. It is certainly at a very early stage.”
The road was closed for about three-and-a-half hours after the crash, which happened around 11.30am.
Diversions were put in place via Muir of Hilton.
South bound traffic was diverted via Knockbreck Road and the Inver-Portmahomack junction then back to the A9.
Northbound traffic shared the route, creating some difficulties for lorries and larger vehicles getting past each other on the single track road.
A recovery vehicle arrived around 2pm to remove the car and debris from the road.
Tain and Easter councillor Alasdair Rhind said: “It is a very sad day for the family concerned and I am sure that the thoughts and sympathies of the community will be with them at this very difficult time.”