0:00:02 > 0:00:05The A9, the spine of Scotland,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08the gateway to the Highlands,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11the road we love to hate.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15It's bumpy, it's lumpy, it's just, it's done.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20It's a road that has acquired legendary status
0:00:20 > 0:00:22in the Scottish psyche.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26'There has been an accident on the A9.'
0:00:26 > 0:00:28'The A9 remains closed southbound.'
0:00:28 > 0:00:30'An overturned lorry is causing delays.'
0:00:30 > 0:00:34With the last major upgrade completed 30 years ago,
0:00:34 > 0:00:38this road is now reaching its capacity...
0:00:39 > 0:00:44- This is nose to tail now. - Snaking off into the distance.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48Folks, can I ask you to go back onto your own side of the road?
0:00:48 > 0:00:49..with a deadly reputation.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55The first thing we're going to do this morning, is remember
0:00:55 > 0:00:58and remember actually the danger that your excitement brings.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01'It's moving well on the southbound A9 Kessock Bridge as you
0:01:01 > 0:01:05'head towards Inverness. Building up towards the south...'
0:01:05 > 0:01:07For one year, our cameras followed the men
0:01:07 > 0:01:11and women who keep Scotland's most notorious road running.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14You don't ever say quiet.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16You feel like you cause it.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21The people who travel it on a daily basis...
0:01:21 > 0:01:25Why is that car overtaking a car there, overtaking a truck?
0:01:25 > 0:01:28What is going through their head that is making them do that?
0:01:28 > 0:01:34- ..the communities who rely on the road...- It is an absolute lifeline.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Absolute lifeline to the area.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39In the winter, if the roads are blocked we're cut off.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44..and those driving it for the very first time.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Somehow I don't expect to see cars zooming by
0:01:47 > 0:01:49to squeeze in on the right, you know?
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Killer road, I wouldn't class it as that.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57It's the people that travel it
0:01:57 > 0:02:00that ultimately can cause the problems one way or another.
0:02:08 > 0:02:14At 273 miles, the A9 is Scotland's longest road
0:02:14 > 0:02:16stretching from Scrabster Harbour
0:02:16 > 0:02:19in the north to the Forth Valley in the South.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24It's Scotland's most iconic road,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27running like a spine down the centre of the country.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Following an extensive upgrade in the 1970s...
0:02:32 > 0:02:37I think that this road could be quite unique in Scotland.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42..the A9 emerged as a crucial artery carrying
0:02:42 > 0:02:46increasing numbers of goods and people to and from the Highlands.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Today, 36,000 vehicles travel the road daily.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Cars carrying commuters,
0:02:55 > 0:03:02motorbikes and caravans carrying day trippers and tourists...
0:03:04 > 0:03:08..and HGVs transporting goods worth just over £1 billion
0:03:08 > 0:03:10to the Scottish economy.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17In Scrabster Harbour, at the road's most northerly point,
0:03:17 > 0:03:21haulage company D Steven & Son has a fleet of 35 HGVs.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32The A9 is the artery for the whole thing coming down the way -
0:03:32 > 0:03:34be it fishing, be it whisky, be it timber.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Whatever it is, it is all coming down this one road.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40There is just one way in and one way out, that's it.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46Alex Stewart has been driving on the A9 for the past 39 years.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52We have a great name now for all the foodstuffs, you know, the world over.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55Scottish beef, Aberdeen Angus, the shellfish thing,
0:03:55 > 0:04:01everything has got a great name. But it has still got to be taken by road.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06The old cow, she's not walking from Caithness to Glasgow Airport,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08she's got to be taken down there.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10You know?
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Today, Alex is transporting salmon south on the A9,
0:04:15 > 0:04:19travelling the full length of the road, bound for Glasgow airport.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26At any one time, there are at least five Police Scotland road traffic units
0:04:26 > 0:04:29out on patrol travelling north and south, keeping
0:04:29 > 0:04:33an eye on the A9 in their efforts to keep road users safe.
0:04:35 > 0:04:40PC Fraser Cameron has been patrolling the road for the past five years.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Your friends told you to go quickly, yes? Not 90mph quickly.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49You are not obliged to say anything
0:04:49 > 0:04:52but anything you do say will be noted and may be used in evidence.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I have been here for about an hour.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- BLEEP- scumbag.- Please don't swear at me.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00If you obstruct me, you are getting the jail.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06I think a lot of people that use the A9 on a daily basis
0:05:06 > 0:05:08probably become used to it.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10The scenery on it,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13they probably don't realise what is in front of them.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16They just want to get from A to B.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Having an office like this, absolutely fantastic.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30Today, Fraser and his colleague, PC Morgan McDonald,
0:05:30 > 0:05:34are patrolling the dual carriageway section of the road south of Perth.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38We are en route to what has come out as a one-vehicle
0:05:38 > 0:05:45road traffic accident on the A9 round about Gleneagles.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49The car is believed to have overturned and there are four occupants who I believe are injured.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52On this dualled section of the road,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55there are 52 crossing-over points
0:05:55 > 0:05:59allowing local access to villages, farms and railway stations.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03We'll see if we can sweep it up and get an outside lane going.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08Of the 122 accidents on the A9 last year,
0:06:08 > 0:06:1127 involved this dual carriageway stretch south of Perth.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Can you just go over to the side, folks?
0:06:13 > 0:06:15- Did you see what happened? - No, no, no.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20- It happened ages before we arrived. - No problem. Just go into the side, thank you.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23'There has been an accident on the A9.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26'A car is on its roof on the southbound carriageway
0:06:26 > 0:06:28'which has now been closed at Gleneagles Station.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31'There are three-mile tailbacks there.'
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Update regarding this RTC at Gleneagles.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36We have a 39-year-old female,
0:06:36 > 0:06:38it looks like she has got a fractured ankle.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42There is a 37-year-old male who has chest injuries
0:06:42 > 0:06:47and is suffering breathing problems at the moment.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50All we are doing is going to protect the road at the other side
0:06:50 > 0:06:53with the car that is on the central reserve.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- The damage's square on the back.- Yes.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07It is mainly front end damage there.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13The A9's reputation as Scotland's most dangerous road
0:07:13 > 0:07:15is linked to a number of factors -
0:07:15 > 0:07:17confusing road layout,
0:07:17 > 0:07:22long stretches of single carriageway
0:07:22 > 0:07:24and motorists stuck behind high volumes
0:07:24 > 0:07:26of slower moving heavy goods vehicles
0:07:26 > 0:07:29can lead to driver frustration and dangerous overtakes.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35In his 39 years of driving,
0:07:35 > 0:07:39truck driver Alex has seen his fair share of accidents.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46For some reason, the accidents seem to be down towards Gleneagles
0:07:46 > 0:07:49and Blackford and places like that which you would
0:07:49 > 0:07:51think were perfectly safe roads.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53But there does seem to be issues,
0:07:53 > 0:07:58but the issues often relate to these junctions that cross over.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03At the end of the day, you can pinpoint one thing about it
0:08:03 > 0:08:06and say
0:08:06 > 0:08:11that's what's happened there, but, you know, it's just
0:08:11 > 0:08:18a combination of traffic, people, things, situation, everything.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22There are very few months that someone does not lose
0:08:22 > 0:08:25a life on this road. Yeah.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30This time, luckily,
0:08:30 > 0:08:33the collision has not resulted in any loss of life.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38With seven fatalities in the last year, it is
0:08:38 > 0:08:41an all too common occurrence for Morgan and Fraser.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48Unfortunately, I have attended a number of fatalities
0:08:48 > 0:08:52on the A9 now and I would rather we got by
0:08:52 > 0:08:56without having to attend these things,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59but unfortunately they do happen.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02The only thing that really goes through my head is that
0:09:02 > 0:09:05I hope it is not a fatality.
0:09:08 > 0:09:14I always just hope that it is no more than a ten-a-penny bump.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22In the summer, 40% more traffic travels
0:09:22 > 0:09:24up and down the A9 every day.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27One of the events that puts pressure on the road,
0:09:27 > 0:09:31during this busy time, is RockNess -
0:09:31 > 0:09:36an annual music festival held at Dores on the banks of Loch Ness.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40The good weather is bringing bumper crowds
0:09:40 > 0:09:43and with 35,000 people expected to attend,
0:09:43 > 0:09:48this is one of the busiest weekends of the year for the A9.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Good morning, problems southbound if you're heading from Stirling
0:09:51 > 0:09:54towards the M73, an overturned lorry causing delays.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57At the Traffic Scotland National Control Centre,
0:09:57 > 0:10:02shift leader Nick and his team are using over 400 CCTV cameras
0:10:02 > 0:10:05to monitor Scotland's trunk roads.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08The Kessock bridge is currently showing 15 minutes' delay southbound,
0:10:08 > 0:10:12so we're just updating the signs to reflect that.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16And with double the usual volume of traffic expected to use
0:10:16 > 0:10:21the A9 this weekend, everyone is on high alert.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23As it gets near to the peak,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26we'll get the normal traffic going home from work,
0:10:26 > 0:10:31which will obviously include people that are going
0:10:31 > 0:10:32to RockNess as well,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35so we may get some pretty long delays later on.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Kincardine and Clackmannanshire bridges are congestion free,
0:10:38 > 0:10:39likewise in Falkirk.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43Over 30,000 people are expected at RockNess,
0:10:43 > 0:10:47so obviously they won't all travel today, but, yeah,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50the majority of congestion we would expect,
0:10:50 > 0:10:54from past years, to be this afternoon.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Hello, 520 Sierra.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00We've not had any issues this morning,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03but again, that makes me nervous, to say that.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11You don't ever say quiet. As soon as you say quiet, that's when...
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Notice I don't say it!
0:11:13 > 0:11:15It's weird. It does, it's just...
0:11:17 > 0:11:19You feel like you cause it.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27At Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow,
0:11:27 > 0:11:31hundreds of festivalgoers are preparing for the journey north.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Over 100 buses are expected to make their way
0:11:36 > 0:11:39to RockNess from the central belt,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42and for most party has started early.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- A can of Red Stripe, Jamaica lager beer.- Cheers.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Another big thing on the A9 now is the buses.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53They're under the same constraints as us, so a wee bit more speed.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57The bus drivers have got the same issues as what truck drivers have.
0:11:57 > 0:11:58Worse for them in a lot of ways,
0:11:58 > 0:12:03because they've got 58 or 48 absolute expert drivers
0:12:03 > 0:12:07sitting behind them, who know everything about bus driving.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10On the byway, on the A9!
0:12:11 > 0:12:13What more could you want?
0:12:18 > 0:12:23Father and son, Colin and Andrew, are also travelling north on the A9.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28First speed camera. It wasnae me, boss.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32Seasoned festivalgoer Colin has taken his trusty camper van,
0:12:32 > 0:12:36Oona, to RockNess, for the past five years.
0:12:36 > 0:12:3869 miles an hour.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39Well done, Oona. Woo hoo!
0:12:39 > 0:12:41A veteran of the A9,
0:12:41 > 0:12:47Colin is keen to educate Andrew in the ways of the road.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Road's got a bad reputation.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52A road has never caused an accident in its life.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55It's the people that are on it. There's a big lorry in front of us.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57There's six cars behind him.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00One of them will risk it, try to overtake that lorry.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01He'll get impatient.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04You get there eventually...
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Don't we, darling?
0:13:07 > 0:13:10You'll find driver impatience wherever you travel,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13especially when you start to get into long lines of queues.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15Going from Perth to Inverness,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18if they drive in the fashion of trying to squeeze by vehicles
0:13:18 > 0:13:22in front or getting overtakes in where it's not really suitable,
0:13:22 > 0:13:28what are they saving - 10 minutes, 15 minutes over a long journey, if that?
0:13:30 > 0:13:33It just puts folks' stress levels up, driving like that.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39This gentleman, he's flashing his lights, coming towards us.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44That tells us there's a police car in the corner with his speed camera.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46The boy that flashed his lights,
0:13:46 > 0:13:48he can get arrested for it.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Yeah.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56I've been told it was only like three hours or something.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00I thought it'd be quite quick, but it's arduous now. It's painful.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01Not going to lie.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10- Kessock delays. Is there any at the moment?- No.- No?
0:14:10 > 0:14:14When RockNess is on, it can be quite tense.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18If anything happens between three and six,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21especially on the A9,
0:14:21 > 0:14:25then yeah, it can be very tense.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30It's just starting to look slow.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32The combination of that Kessock traffic
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- and people going to RockNess as well.- Yep.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39The top two middle cameras are the A9.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43The first one here on the left is the A9 at Kingussie.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46You can see that's not looking too bad at all just now.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50Not going to stay quiet but you can see that.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57Just kind of fairly near to where the incident was last year, actually.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- NEWSREADER:- Police say that a bus bound for the RockNess Festival
0:15:00 > 0:15:04collided with a van around 3.30 this afternoon.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07And it was towards the end of the day, actually,
0:15:07 > 0:15:11around about four o'clock. Two fatalities in that one.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15So obviously that means that the road is going to be closed
0:15:15 > 0:15:17for quite some time.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21I think from memory it was several hours.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24I can't remember if it actually opened that night. I think it did.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26But it's obviously a challenge.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31We're now within a couple of miles.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Yo, yo, yo!
0:15:33 > 0:15:35SHE CHEERS
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Well, that's us, bro.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- See you later on, mate. - Good journey.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41If there isn't any incidents,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45then we'd hope that everybody is at the festival by five.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49When there's a big event and we've dealt with it
0:15:49 > 0:15:51and we've had no problems,
0:15:51 > 0:15:53then that feels good,
0:15:53 > 0:15:55that you've done your job and everybody's safe.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02RockNess marks the beginning of a busy summer for the road.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Record temperatures across the country bring
0:16:05 > 0:16:10up to 15,000 more vehicles every day.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13With the marked increase in traffic, there's rarely a moment's rest
0:16:13 > 0:16:16for Fraser and the rest of the road traffic patrol team.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20There's a car coming up behind us.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23You wouldn't mind to check it, would you, please?
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- Two young lads. Just a thought. - Just coming past us?- Aye.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28See if it is, who it is that's driving it.
0:16:28 > 0:16:34The car behind, there's two young lads in it.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36I just want to check out that
0:16:36 > 0:16:40it's the person that's on the insurance,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43or the registered keeper that's driving the car.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- Is it your car, is it?- It is. - Where are you heading to?
0:16:46 > 0:16:48- Up to near Elgin. - What's your name?- It's Callum.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52OK, Callum, we're just doing routine checks up and down the road today.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Look at this. When your tyre gets worn that much,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57the possibility that tyre fails on you,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00because you write down into the carcass of the tyre, OK?
0:17:00 > 0:17:02It needs to be changed,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06but I need to have a word with you today also regarding this, right?
0:17:08 > 0:17:13Callum's day is about to get a lot worse, as the control room
0:17:13 > 0:17:14gives Fraser some information
0:17:14 > 0:17:17which prompts him to ask further questions.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21Anything you shouldn't have, Callum?
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- Smoke a bit of weed, anything like that? Eh...- At nights and stuff.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29- Right. Sure you've nothing on you? Nothing in the car?- No.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- You'll no mind us having a wee look, then? No?- No.- That's good.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37How you doing? Is it Nathan, is it?
0:17:37 > 0:17:42Yeah. Anything on you you shouldn't have? No?
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- Do you smoke much of it?- Aye.- Aye?
0:17:48 > 0:17:50And you've nothing on you at all?
0:17:50 > 0:17:54Is that what you buy it in, bags like that? Huh? Aye.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58You can see where I'm coming from. You told me you smoke it quite a bit,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00so I'm surprised you haven't got some on you.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03It would save me a lot of hassle going through all these bags
0:18:03 > 0:18:05if you have. Eh? You don't?
0:18:05 > 0:18:07You've got all the gear, man.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- Whose is this bag? This yours, Callum?- Aye.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14Anything in it shouldn't be in it? Hey? No?
0:18:17 > 0:18:19- What's that?- Cannabis.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- Whose is it?- It's mine.- Right, OK.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24We'll go back, we'll have a wee seat in the car.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- Anything else in there, mate, save me some time?- Aye.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- What else is in that?- Some more. - Some more of that? OK, where abouts?
0:18:29 > 0:18:32In the bag. In this day and age...
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- At the end of the day, we don't make the rules.- I know.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37It's illegal to have it.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47With an average journey time of just over three hours from Inverness
0:18:47 > 0:18:49to the central belt,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52the A9 provides the quickest and most direct route
0:18:52 > 0:18:56to and from the Highlands for all sorts of traffic.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58But it wasn't always like this.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03The old A9 was a narrow, twisty road
0:19:03 > 0:19:06linking Perthshire and Highland villages,
0:19:06 > 0:19:11where the average journey time often exceeded nine hours.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15The much-needed upgrade in the '70s took 10 years to complete.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18It involved impressive feats of engineering,
0:19:18 > 0:19:23averting the River Tay just north of Dunkeld,
0:19:23 > 0:19:28bypassing 18 towns and villages and building 12 bridges.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34The improvements brought a quicker road which opened up
0:19:34 > 0:19:39the Highlands for tourists from the UK and beyond.
0:19:39 > 0:19:4330 years on, the tourist industry in the Highlands
0:19:43 > 0:19:46is worth £548 million,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49and the road is reaching its capacity once again.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53This is nose to tail now.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55- Just sneaking off into the distance. - Mm-hm.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02A lot of these people here will be going home or it will be, yeah,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05visitors, tourists, to the area that have packed up
0:20:05 > 0:20:08and they're moving on somewhere else.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10It's not unexpected.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14This is what you see and you can end up with maybe a couple of miles
0:20:14 > 0:20:17or more of just traffic trundling along like this.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28In a campsite in Inverness, two well travelled tourists are preparing
0:20:28 > 0:20:32to make their maiden journey southbound on the A9.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- I'm Les.- And I'm Patty Sontag.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38We live in Illinois, the centre of the country.
0:20:38 > 0:20:44We live in a very rural community, but we love rural.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47We love the kind of countryside that we've seen in Scotland so far.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49So this makes it very nice.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52We're getting to the point where we're thinking bucket list,
0:20:52 > 0:20:56and this is a place we really wanted to come before we were
0:20:56 > 0:20:58not able to travel any longer,
0:20:58 > 0:21:00so we're excited about it.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02It's just beautiful country.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05But you do have to pay attention to the roads,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08because wrong side driving, and narrow.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- For us, the wrong side. - Yeah, yeah!
0:21:21 > 0:21:24I still don't know what that sign means.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Well, I think it means what we thought it meant originally.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30It's a speed camera, honey, rather than a...
0:21:32 > 0:21:35You know, "Here's a nice view," kind of camera.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40When there's tourists here in the summertime,
0:21:40 > 0:21:43they're absolutely mesmerised by the countryside.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50- Oh, isn't that impressive?- Yeah. - Look at that valley.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54"Look at that view there. Look at that hills."
0:21:54 > 0:21:57They'll tend to slow down, speed up, slow down, speed up,
0:21:57 > 0:21:59maybe take a wee wander.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- How fast are you driving?- Well, faster than I realised.- Too fast.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11You've got to watch them. You've really got to watch them.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14That's the second time I've seen someone with...
0:22:14 > 0:22:17What's Arnold Clark?
0:22:17 > 0:22:21- I have no idea.- Who is Arnold Clark? - I have no idea.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23A politician running for office?
0:22:25 > 0:22:29One business that's benefited from the increase in tourist traffic
0:22:29 > 0:22:31is The House of Bruar.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Robert Day is the general manager.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38He does a walk-round every morning.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43I'm walking around, really, just checking the shop floor,
0:22:43 > 0:22:47making sure everything looks in place.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Hopefully, I get a good impression
0:22:50 > 0:22:54and that'll be what I want the customers to get.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58The business was founded 20 years ago
0:22:58 > 0:23:01by owners Mark and Linda Birkbeck.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03And everybody scatters.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08The 11-acre site has now grown to house a 10,000 square foot
0:23:08 > 0:23:10country living hall,
0:23:10 > 0:23:14and the largest cashmere department in Britain.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16This is the main hall.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Everything from evening items to jeans, blouses,
0:23:20 > 0:23:22and, I guess, fashion wear,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24as opposed to country wear.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26An estimated 1.2 million visitors
0:23:26 > 0:23:29stop by The House of Bruar every year.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34We will polish the brass every day,
0:23:34 > 0:23:36much like a top hotel would do.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43The food hall, which is very much the backbone of the business.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46It's the one thing that people will always remember,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49coming in here, have a lovely nice steak pie.
0:23:51 > 0:23:56People don't have to come in and use the restaurant.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59We're quite happy with that. It's about coming out, relaxing.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01We're very humbled by the fact
0:24:01 > 0:24:05that people will travel for long distance to come and visit us.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14As the business has grown, so has its customer base.
0:24:15 > 0:24:21Managing director Patrick Birkbeck is overseeing the photo shoot
0:24:21 > 0:24:23for the mail order catalogue.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Right hand...
0:24:26 > 0:24:32The A9 brings countless numbers of sportsmen,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35fishermen and shooting parties
0:24:35 > 0:24:37and stalking parties.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Without the A9, we wouldn't have any customers.
0:24:46 > 0:24:4815 miles south,
0:24:48 > 0:24:52there's another business that relies heavily on the A9.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58The Ballinluig Motorgrill was set up by owner Clive 30 years ago.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02We're not the style of place where we expect you to come in
0:25:02 > 0:25:05and linger for three or four hours.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09Most people, when they come in here, get their fuel, get their food,
0:25:09 > 0:25:13go to the toilet and go.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18Table 11. Two haddock, two bread and butter and two mugs of tea, yeah?
0:25:18 > 0:25:19The menu hasn't changed.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23We maybe change the odd thing. We try a new thing.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26But it's what we've had on this menu for years that people want,
0:25:26 > 0:25:28like sausage, egg and chips,
0:25:28 > 0:25:30bacon, egg and chips, have breakfast.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34For trucker Alex, the Motorgrill is a regular stop off.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36He has his breakfast here every Sunday.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Morning, girls.
0:25:38 > 0:25:43How are you today? Fine.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45What are you having today, Alex?
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- I'll have breakfast today.- OK.- No fried bread or mushrooms.- Excellent.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- Black coffee. Two toast, one of each, yeah?- OK, that's great.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54She probably didn't have to write it down, either,
0:25:54 > 0:25:56because it never changes.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58The breakfast won a truckers' award a few years ago.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02- Do you want some sauces for that? - No, thank you anyway. Cheers.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04There is black pudding, sausage,
0:26:04 > 0:26:07bacon, egg, fried bread and beans.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11That will be £6. Thank you, Alex.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13One driver's breakfast.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- It'll keep you going for a few more miles, Alex.- £4 change.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18£1 to the girls, £3 to me.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21- He doesn't normally do that. - I do!
0:26:21 > 0:26:23I'm only joking. See you next week.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Another group who appreciate the menu on offer
0:26:29 > 0:26:31at the Motorgrill are bikers.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Today, an estimated 6,000 of them
0:26:35 > 0:26:39are travelling north on the way to Thunder In The Glens,
0:26:39 > 0:26:43an annual Harley Davidson festival in Aviemore.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46When Thunder In The Glen is on,
0:26:46 > 0:26:49we're very busy with bikers. They are all friendly.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51They bring lots of stuff in with them.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Their leather jackets and helmets. We've got to trip over them.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57No, yes, they're all very friendly.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Best bit of the day, breakfast. Again.
0:27:00 > 0:27:06I've been travelling the A9 for God knows how many years now.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11It's not particularly a good road for bikes. It's too straight.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13But a means to an end.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16We need to get to the valley and it's a direct route there,
0:27:16 > 0:27:21so you can get there quick and hopefully safely.
0:27:24 > 0:27:29On a day where 6,000 motorbikes are expected to be travelling north
0:27:29 > 0:27:32on the A9, the police are being extra vigilant.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38The volume of bikes has gone up there now.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43This is all your Harley enthusiasts.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46- Definitely.- All really in good nick.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51- Have a look at that one, though.- Hm.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53The gentleman up there,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56he looks as if he's just got a wee pair of cat boots on,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59and while it is not mandatory, certainly in this country,
0:27:59 > 0:28:01to have protective clothing,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04certainly when you're out on main roads like this,
0:28:04 > 0:28:06I would say it's best practice.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09If we catch up with this chap, we'll just check
0:28:09 > 0:28:12and see what kind of clothing he has on and have a wee word with him.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16- Doesn't look too... - Steady.- Steady on his wheels.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18We'll go and have a wee word.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20How you doing?
0:28:22 > 0:28:26We're just checking various bikes up and down the road today, that's all.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30- Thunder in the Glen, by any chance? - No, I live in Grantown on Spey.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Oh, well, there you go.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Your tyre's not in the best nick, is it?
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Roger, what's the date of first registration, please?
0:28:38 > 0:28:41I don't think you've got any brake pads left on the front.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45You got a friction pad on this side, you've nothing on the other side.
0:28:45 > 0:28:51- The wheel should spin freely. - Yeah.- It's binding.
0:28:52 > 0:28:53The MOT expired in July this year.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56The MOT has expired.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58I thought they went down at the same time as the insurance?
0:28:58 > 0:29:00Obviously not.
0:29:02 > 0:29:07I appreciate I'm a biker myself. Do many, many miles on them.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09My concern here today is, as we've shown you,
0:29:09 > 0:29:13that brake is starting to heat up, yeah?
0:29:13 > 0:29:14It's binding on it already.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16You can hear the noise it's making.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19You spin the wheel, it's not turning freely.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23The last I want is to let you away from here riding that bike,
0:29:23 > 0:29:27you go up that road and the brake just seizes on you
0:29:27 > 0:29:29and you go right over those bars.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32A safety point of view, I'm sorry, it's not going anywhere,
0:29:32 > 0:29:35I'm putting an immediate prohibition on it.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42What you been carrying?
0:29:44 > 0:29:49- Ian, have you got enough stuff, mate?- It's not like camping.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52You've got to have your working gear and you're going to get soaked.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55You need changes of clothes, you know?
0:30:00 > 0:30:04The journey north has stopped short for Ian, but for those heading to
0:30:04 > 0:30:09Thunder in the Glens, the majority of riders are safely in Aviemore.
0:30:12 > 0:30:17The thing is, we got here in one piece. That's the main thing.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23Thunder in the Glens is really all about fun.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27The guys, bikers here from all over the world, coming together
0:30:27 > 0:30:30to enjoy the friendship and fun that the event brings.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32And you can see around you
0:30:32 > 0:30:362,000 bikes plus all just here having a great, fantastic time.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41But this time last year, it was a different story,
0:30:41 > 0:30:46as two riders lost their lives in an accident on the A9.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50The first thing we're going to do this morning is remember,
0:30:50 > 0:30:55and remember, actually, the danger that your excitement brings,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58because we want to remember in particular
0:30:58 > 0:31:02Robert and Valerie Macdonald, who were here last year
0:31:02 > 0:31:05and died on their way home from this event.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08BAGPIPES PLAY
0:31:09 > 0:31:12And every one of us, when we take to the road,
0:31:12 > 0:31:18whether it is by car, push-bike or motorbike, we know we take a risk.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21And we judge the risk worth taking or we would stay at home
0:31:21 > 0:31:23and do nothing all our lives.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27Yeah, we all love riding bikes. It's our passion, it's what we do.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30We are aware of the dangers, but when we lose someone,
0:31:30 > 0:31:32it still impacts on us.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36And whether or not we know them personally, we take it personally.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38BAGPIPES CONTINUE
0:31:38 > 0:31:40BIKE HORNS BLAST
0:31:42 > 0:31:46Motorbikes are six times more likely to be involved in a serious
0:31:46 > 0:31:50road traffic collision than any other vehicle on Scotland's roads.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56And just two days after Thunder in the Glens,
0:31:56 > 0:31:59the road traffic patrol team is called to another accident.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05SIREN BLARES So that's a two-vehicle injury RTA, by the looks of it.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09Two people on a motorcycle.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13Apparently, at the moment, they are lying on the road unconscious,
0:32:13 > 0:32:16unresponsive, but they are breathing.
0:32:16 > 0:32:21- POLICE RADIO:- 'I have just phoned an ambulance, ETA is 53 minutes.'
0:32:21 > 0:32:23- What?- 58?!- 58, what?
0:32:23 > 0:32:25POLICE RADIO: 'That's not good enough.'
0:32:25 > 0:32:28We just overheard there it looks as if there isn't an ambulance
0:32:28 > 0:32:30that's relatively close.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34Yeah, Lewis, can you just make sure that you keep his spine in line,
0:32:34 > 0:32:36please, if he has come off a motorcycle.
0:32:38 > 0:32:43Callum has recently qualified as a paramedic.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46It's certainly our interest now to make a bit more progress,
0:32:46 > 0:32:50because he might be able to assist the casualties.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53That's us right at the tailback now.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59The road, A9, north and south, is closed.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03Two ambulances in attendance along with the air ambulance and a BASICS doctor.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07The doctor and two paramedics, air ambulance, are working on the male.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09However, at the moment,
0:33:09 > 0:33:11they are treating it as a life-threatening injury.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13So we react accordingly.
0:33:13 > 0:33:18Right, they're away to escort the trauma team up the southbound carriageway.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22- OK.- They're specifically requesting to get right up to him.- OK.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24He has a fractured femur, along with chest injuries.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28He's also got bleeding from the ears, might have a closed skull fracture.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31One of the other traffic units is further down the road.
0:33:31 > 0:33:36They're going to wait and bring the trauma team up the wrong side of the dual carriageway.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39Obviously, we have a full double lane block.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42They can bring them up along with a police escort
0:33:42 > 0:33:44and then pass the helicopter.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Obviously, in this case, they are needed quite desperately.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54Just going to lift you at the hip, sorry.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57'The A9 Dalwhinnie to Pitlochry road remains closed in both
0:33:57 > 0:34:01'directions following an accident at the Killiecrankie cut-off.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03'Long delays both ways here.'
0:34:03 > 0:34:05I've had a word with the pilot of the helicopter.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08We're going to start running the northbound vehicles
0:34:08 > 0:34:09in lane one only.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12Folks, can I ask you to go back onto your own side of the road?
0:34:14 > 0:34:17We're going to move the northbound just now, yeah.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23Come on, no need to be going slow. Come on!
0:34:25 > 0:34:31The nature of the injuries to the rider, the male rider, they
0:34:31 > 0:34:35are quite serious at the moment, so we have got to close the road,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38get full crash investigation in, so that could take a number of hours.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42And these vehicles here, we're going to get them turned round
0:34:42 > 0:34:44and they can use some other roads to get on their way.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48If you go up to the Blair Atholl junction,
0:34:48 > 0:34:50there's an officer up there.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58I run down and then go along the line of traffic here and see
0:34:58 > 0:35:01if there is any folk in their cars that want to turn about.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04Unfortunately, this is the nature of the A9.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06You can look down the valley there.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08The roads are really narrow
0:35:08 > 0:35:10and it's not suitable for a load of HGVs to go through.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Unfortunately, the HGVs will just need to stack
0:35:12 > 0:35:14and wait until the road's open again.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Sorry, you'll just need to sit just now, I'm afraid.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21LORRY DRIVER RESPONDS INAUDIBLY
0:35:21 > 0:35:22I don't know, I don't know.
0:35:24 > 0:35:25Just need to sit just now.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30You can see now, we have got masses of lorries here.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32This gives you an indication, actually,
0:35:32 > 0:35:35how many HGVs are using this road on a daily basis.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Turn round about, please.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Unfortunately, people have seen it all too often, you know,
0:35:41 > 0:35:44the ones that travel this road regular.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47There's a lot of people that use this on a daily basis
0:35:47 > 0:35:50because it's your main link to the Highlands and Inverness.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52And, yeah, it's not the first time they'll have come across it.
0:35:52 > 0:35:57I'd like to think it's the last one, but being realistic about it,
0:35:57 > 0:35:58no, it's not going to be.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05Last year, there were 54 road closures on the A9 involving
0:36:05 > 0:36:08road traffic collisions or extreme weather conditions,
0:36:08 > 0:36:11resulting in lengthy delays for drivers.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15Saw the last fatality a few weeks ago. I was caught up in it.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19Police were super that night. They came and told us what was happening.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22People were that frustrated that night -
0:36:22 > 0:36:25you won't believe this, this is no word of a lie -
0:36:25 > 0:36:28three people with cars took a section of barrier out
0:36:28 > 0:36:32and drove through it to get back southbound.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35That's how, you know, frustrated people become and...
0:36:37 > 0:36:40..the human being, they just start doing silly things. Yeah.
0:36:42 > 0:36:47'The A9 Blair Atholl to Pitlochry road remains closed southbound
0:36:47 > 0:36:48'following an accident
0:36:48 > 0:36:51'and police are asking drivers to avoid this route.'
0:36:51 > 0:36:55For Fraser, the accident brings back memories of his own collision
0:36:55 > 0:36:57three years ago.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01I've already found myself in the intensive care unit.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03I was only a quarter of a mile from the house,
0:37:03 > 0:37:07the bike hadn't even warmed up, beautiful May morning.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Not a cloud in the sky. And, eh...
0:37:10 > 0:37:12just going along the road - doof! - next thing...
0:37:12 > 0:37:15It was like the vegetation we've got here at the side.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Thick, thick bushes and trees,
0:37:18 > 0:37:21and Bambi decides to come out right in front of my bike.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23I had absolutely no chance.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Never even got a chance to put the brake on.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27I went over the bars, down the road,
0:37:27 > 0:37:32and ended up with a broken shoulder, erm...
0:37:34 > 0:37:38..fractured ribs, broken thumb. Aye.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46Last year, there were around 200 deer strikes on the A9.
0:37:47 > 0:37:52For forestry ranger Malcolm, keeping numbers down is a year-round job.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54It's not a bad office to work in, right enough.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58It's fine on days like this when it's a bright, crisp morning,
0:37:58 > 0:38:02but when it's pouring with rain or driving snow, it's not so nice.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Sometimes I wish I had an office job, then.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06GUN FIRES
0:38:06 > 0:38:09The danger is they get hit by the cars.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12Well, it is a danger to the deer, but a big danger to the cars.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15They're big, solid animals, and if you hit a deer on the road,
0:38:15 > 0:38:16if you're doing 60, 70mph,
0:38:16 > 0:38:19good chance the car's going to get written off.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21Good chance of people getting injured or worse.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24There's a lot of crashes happen on the A9 there with people either
0:38:24 > 0:38:27hitting the deer or swerving to avoid a deer
0:38:27 > 0:38:30and hitting another car and going off the road.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33If we're killing these deer here, then that's deer that aren't going to
0:38:33 > 0:38:37be getting hit on the road or getting killed by cars and causing accidents.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44I don't think the road in itself is that bad.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46You see some crazy driving at some times of the year,
0:38:46 > 0:38:51right enough, but I don't know if it's any worse than any other road.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53I, to be honest, quite like the road.
0:38:53 > 0:38:58It's got some bonny spots on it, some great views. I don't see...
0:38:58 > 0:39:02But then you get folks like this overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05But, in general, I think it's OK.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13Nature takes its toll on the road in other ways, too.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19The A9 travels through hundreds of miles of varied
0:39:19 > 0:39:21and challenging terrain.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25With two of the highest road summits in the country
0:39:25 > 0:39:27at Drumochter and Slochd,
0:39:27 > 0:39:31the winter can bring freezing conditions and driving snow.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36The situation just now is that there was an articulated lorry
0:39:36 > 0:39:39which has jack-knifed a few hours ago.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43So the road has been shut near to Dalwhinnie to try
0:39:43 > 0:39:45and get the vehicle recovered.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48But also, we've now got the problem of the drifting snow.
0:39:48 > 0:39:53The winds are still strong as ever and as darkness comes down, it is
0:39:53 > 0:39:55not going to help the visibility.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58So we've got snow gates shut at Blair Atholl
0:39:58 > 0:40:02and there's another set of gates shut at Trinafour.
0:40:02 > 0:40:08The potential is that the A9 will be closed right through the night.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10For the police and snowplough teams,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13it is a constant battle to keep the road open.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18We've got cars there with families in it, young children.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21The last thing we want is for them to be sitting here,
0:40:21 > 0:40:25potentially right through the night. That's not a good situation.
0:40:25 > 0:40:30With 75% of drivers underprepared for winter driving,
0:40:30 > 0:40:34any sudden change in conditions can prove catastrophic.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40You'd be coming up here, maybe ten, 11 o'clock at night,
0:40:40 > 0:40:44and here's someone in a car, you know, fair looking the part.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46They have no winter jacket with them,
0:40:46 > 0:40:49they have no flask, no travel rug, you know?
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Never... There's no preplanning for the scenario here.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55You would hate to think what it would be like sitting up there at -10
0:40:55 > 0:40:57or 12 below, you know,
0:40:57 > 0:41:00in a wee tin box, and there's no heating or nothing happening.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Even in the adverse weather conditions,
0:41:04 > 0:41:08impatient driver behaviour is still in evidence.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12Snowplough driver Billy patrols the highest summit on the road.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17You can guarantee that in your single run,
0:41:17 > 0:41:20you'll probably have four or five near misses,
0:41:20 > 0:41:23that you'll see folk just getting in and no more.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27But we'll never be able to educate them
0:41:27 > 0:41:31and tell them just to wait until there's a space to overtake.
0:41:33 > 0:41:38He's seen round a shorter bend than he did when he had the long
0:41:38 > 0:41:41straight behind him there, and then, as I say, they just...
0:41:43 > 0:41:46They eventually decide to just go for it, hope for the best.
0:41:46 > 0:41:51I think I'd be in as much a rush that I couldn't wait for a safe overtaking place.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58But, unfortunately, most of them are always in a big rush.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05I think I just got the thumbs up that they've got a diversion in place,
0:42:05 > 0:42:07so we're just about to open the gates.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10I've just been speaking with my colleagues from Northern, there.
0:42:10 > 0:42:15They have managed to put a bypass in at Dalwhinnie. So, in effect, what's
0:42:15 > 0:42:18going to happen is they're going to move some of the traffic onto what
0:42:18 > 0:42:21we call the old A9 road and they've put a diversion in for
0:42:21 > 0:42:24northbound traffic onto the wagon road.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26The traffic car that we've got here from Northern,
0:42:26 > 0:42:30they're going to put on what we call a rolling roadblock,
0:42:30 > 0:42:33so they're going to chaperone the traffic north
0:42:33 > 0:42:37just so that everybody's no' going hell for leather up the road.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Wasn't too bad in the end.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45Thankfully, there's not a lot of folk, tourists on the road.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48However, you are getting quite a few folk trying to get
0:42:48 > 0:42:53to the likes of Aviemore for snowboarding, skiing, etc,
0:42:53 > 0:42:58so it's not been too much of a delay for them, thankfully.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01But the job's a good 'un, hopefully,
0:43:01 > 0:43:03and it'll stay like that for the night.
0:43:05 > 0:43:10Someone else regularly patrolling the A9 is amateur weatherman
0:43:10 > 0:43:13Windy Wilson.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16This is the bit of the A9 that I like to patrol,
0:43:16 > 0:43:20so to speak, from the Broxden roundabout in Perth
0:43:20 > 0:43:23through to the Keir roundabout in Dunblane.
0:43:23 > 0:43:28Just keeping everybody up-to-date with the local road conditions.
0:43:28 > 0:43:29I do a wee videocast as well
0:43:29 > 0:43:32and that gets uploaded onto my YouTube channel.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39Oh, ya hoor, sir!
0:43:39 > 0:43:41It's Windy Wilson here.
0:43:41 > 0:43:45It's Wednesday afternoon, 13th February, 2013.
0:43:47 > 0:43:51Still a lot of cars driving about without their lights on.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54Windy says, wipers on, lights on.
0:43:54 > 0:44:00The reason I started the Facebook page for the weather was mainly
0:44:00 > 0:44:02because I am a keen golfer.
0:44:02 > 0:44:06During the summer, I'm on the golf course three or four times a week.
0:44:06 > 0:44:10You need to know when the rain is coming in and when it'll pass.
0:44:10 > 0:44:14So, just from there, I took a keen interest in the weather
0:44:14 > 0:44:18and I started doing local forecasts and that,
0:44:18 > 0:44:21just for the surrounding areas in the villages.
0:44:24 > 0:44:26To put a forecast together,
0:44:26 > 0:44:29you know, what I've got here compared to the Met Office...
0:44:29 > 0:44:33The Met Office has got the £30 million supercomputer.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37This is a pressure chart I was working on for this weekend,
0:44:37 > 0:44:41because we've got a Scandinavian blocking high.
0:44:41 > 0:44:43It's nothing too high tech.
0:44:44 > 0:44:47I've got my YouTube channel here.
0:44:48 > 0:44:50Oh, ya hoor, sir!
0:44:51 > 0:44:57Windy Wilson here, it's Tuesday night, 22nd of January.
0:44:57 > 0:45:01It's basically just a kind of public service.
0:45:01 > 0:45:04Just putting something back into the community, to be honest with you.
0:45:04 > 0:45:08- It's 15, 20mph. Snowing like- BLEEP.
0:45:10 > 0:45:12That's me just about to come to a standstill now.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18'It's moving well southbound on the A9 at Kessock Bridge
0:45:18 > 0:45:19'as you head for Inverness.
0:45:19 > 0:45:22'Mist and fog reported in West Lothian...'
0:45:22 > 0:45:25The years of extreme weather conditions and increasing
0:45:25 > 0:45:29levels of traffic have taken their toll on the condition of the A9.
0:45:31 > 0:45:32Parts of the road surface
0:45:32 > 0:45:35are nearing the end of their working life.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39And in the last year alone, there have been around 500 maintenance
0:45:39 > 0:45:41works along the road's length.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46Well, it's quite a sight, isn't it? What a feat of engineering.
0:45:46 > 0:45:49I wish I'd been on the job in the first place,
0:45:49 > 0:45:51but the next best thing is to fix it.
0:45:51 > 0:45:58The Kessock Bridge was one of the 12 bridges built in the original upgrade 30 years ago.
0:45:58 > 0:46:04It will shorten the journey distance north by some 14 miles.
0:46:04 > 0:46:06It spans the Beauly Firth,
0:46:06 > 0:46:09and together with the Cromarty and Dornoch crossings,
0:46:09 > 0:46:12cut one and a half hours from the old A9 journey time.
0:46:14 > 0:46:20Three decades on, the bridge is undergoing a full resurfacing job.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23The existing surfacing has lasted a lot better than anyone thought,
0:46:23 > 0:46:25which is great news.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29But it has reached the point now where there's
0:46:29 > 0:46:33so many repairs having to be done, it has to be,
0:46:33 > 0:46:36take off the whole lot and put all it back on again,
0:46:36 > 0:46:39or else it would be continual lane closures
0:46:39 > 0:46:41and patch repairs which,
0:46:41 > 0:46:44one, it is annoying for the general public, two, it would end up
0:46:44 > 0:46:48less cost-effective than doing the whole bridge in a oner.
0:46:51 > 0:46:56The northbound carriageway is completely closed, and the team
0:46:56 > 0:46:59must monitor the impact it is having on the morning rush-hour.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03Well, it's earlier, it's much earlier than normal.
0:47:03 > 0:47:06People coming in at nine are probably not getting it too bad.
0:47:06 > 0:47:08So, we'll see how it goes.
0:47:08 > 0:47:13- Who looks after the signs?- Sorry? - The signs for detours are rubbish.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15I think someone has been knocking them down.
0:47:15 > 0:47:17We've had guys back out.
0:47:17 > 0:47:21There's nothing... There's something down here way in the wrong place.
0:47:21 > 0:47:24- Nothing back up here.- We've got guys going round again, checking them.
0:47:24 > 0:47:27- We've just sent guys out 15 minutes ago.- I've had people come past me
0:47:27 > 0:47:30that are going the other way who are really fed up with...
0:47:31 > 0:47:35They've gone the wrong way. It's just a shambles.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39It really is a poor job, you know, to be honest.
0:47:39 > 0:47:41I'm bumping into all these cyclists and people who are going,
0:47:41 > 0:47:45"What the hell is going on? I've had to go all round here. Do you know?"
0:47:45 > 0:47:48So, honestly... Going to lose the goodwill of people.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50We're going to get it done. We're getting signs sorted.
0:47:50 > 0:47:52- Cool, all right, I'll look out for it.- OK.
0:47:54 > 0:47:57It's quite a political body, the cyclists in the area.
0:47:59 > 0:48:03So we're trying to encourage cyclists as much as we can,
0:48:03 > 0:48:07but as I say, there's an awful lot of effort put in to
0:48:07 > 0:48:09trying to keep them happy. And we can't keep them happy with this.
0:48:09 > 0:48:12We've got to send them further to keep them safe.
0:48:12 > 0:48:15The further trip is not always acceptable,
0:48:15 > 0:48:17but safety has got to be paramount.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22Not everyone is having a bad day.
0:48:22 > 0:48:26For engineer Keith, the bridgeworks are an opportunity to appreciate
0:48:26 > 0:48:30Scotland's impressive engineering history.
0:48:30 > 0:48:32Well, when you're as old as I am
0:48:32 > 0:48:37and you've been in this game driving around Scotland, I can never go more
0:48:37 > 0:48:42than about 50 miles without seeing something I have been involved in.
0:48:43 > 0:48:46It's a great feeling, though, being an engineer,
0:48:46 > 0:48:50and being able to drive the country and see you have made
0:48:50 > 0:48:53a contribution to the infrastructure of your country.
0:48:55 > 0:48:59That's probably why I'm still here after all these years.
0:49:01 > 0:49:03Yes, I must say,
0:49:03 > 0:49:07this is probably one of the most scenic locations I've worked in.
0:49:07 > 0:49:11Absolutely beautiful. Proud to be a Scotsman.
0:49:15 > 0:49:18The Kessock Bridge is not the only section of the road
0:49:18 > 0:49:21undergoing a major revamp.
0:49:21 > 0:49:24One of the main problems on the A9 are the long stretches
0:49:24 > 0:49:28of single carriageway and a lack of safe overtaking opportunities.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33Plans are under way to dual an 80-mile section
0:49:33 > 0:49:35from Perth to Inverness.
0:49:35 > 0:49:39At a cost of £3 billion, it is the biggest transport
0:49:39 > 0:49:44project in Scotland's history and is due to complete in 2025.
0:49:44 > 0:49:47Jo Blewett is the project manager.
0:49:47 > 0:49:52What you are looking at here is the first section of the A9.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56So this is Perth here, the existing road is here.
0:49:56 > 0:50:00And what these plans are starting to pick up are settlements, rivers.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03As we move further through, you'll start to pick up
0:50:03 > 0:50:06some of the environmental constraints in the corridor as well.
0:50:06 > 0:50:08And it just gives us a picture of the jigsaw
0:50:08 > 0:50:11that we have to fit together to get the dualling into the corridor.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18I really think the A9 is at the stage now where it has got
0:50:18 > 0:50:21to be dual carriageway. This road is really, really busy.
0:50:21 > 0:50:25It has taken a tremendous amount of money into Aviemore and Glenshee and everything.
0:50:25 > 0:50:29People have paid for the roads, they are surely entitled to a safe,
0:50:29 > 0:50:34decent road. And it is none of the two just now.
0:50:34 > 0:50:36It's bumpy, it's lumpy...
0:50:36 > 0:50:39It's just... It's done.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42Are we getting very close, working to the railway?
0:50:42 > 0:50:45Yes, it does get much closer to the railway as we move further south.
0:50:45 > 0:50:49I can understand the public wanting us to go faster.
0:50:49 > 0:50:52You know, there's a huge desire for this road to be brought up to
0:50:52 > 0:50:55a suitable, modern and safe standard.
0:50:55 > 0:50:58At the local level, people do understand the challenges there.
0:50:58 > 0:51:02We think some of those challenges will come out more publicly
0:51:02 > 0:51:06and people will start to understand just how challenging and difficult this is.
0:51:09 > 0:51:13There are parts of the A9 that have remained largely unchanged
0:51:13 > 0:51:18over the years and are unlikely to change any time soon.
0:51:19 > 0:51:23The single carriageway road north of Inverness is the main route
0:51:23 > 0:51:26south for a population of just over 90,000.
0:51:28 > 0:51:32And the road reaches Land's End just outside restaurant owner
0:51:32 > 0:51:34Jim Cowie's front door.
0:51:35 > 0:51:39Well, we feel quite annoyed in the North here at times
0:51:39 > 0:51:44when we hear all the talk of dualling the A9,
0:51:44 > 0:51:48as if it starts in Perth and finishes in Inverness.
0:51:48 > 0:51:52But...it just doesn't happen that way.
0:51:52 > 0:51:56It's so important to Caithness.
0:51:56 > 0:52:00And it's still the A9 north of Inverness. It's still the A9.
0:52:00 > 0:52:07The way I see it, everybody coming from the ferry, going south,
0:52:07 > 0:52:09right outside our door here is the start.
0:52:11 > 0:52:18People coming from the south to go to Orkney or beyond, or the area,
0:52:18 > 0:52:20it's the end.
0:52:23 > 0:52:27One of the most asked questions we get here in the restaurant is,
0:52:27 > 0:52:30"How do you survive so remote?"
0:52:32 > 0:52:34No, no, this is not remote.
0:52:34 > 0:52:38If you want the best seafood in the world, this is the centre.
0:52:38 > 0:52:39Absolute centre.
0:52:39 > 0:52:44If you were to cut me in half, it would be like Edinburgh rock.
0:52:44 > 0:52:48You would... Whatever part you cut, it would be Scrabster.
0:52:51 > 0:52:54Jim is a regular commuter on the A9,
0:52:54 > 0:52:57travelling it every day to get to the fish market.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00Right, there's me leaving the Captain's Galley
0:53:00 > 0:53:03on my way to the fish market. On the A9.
0:53:07 > 0:53:12The answer to the question, how long does it take me to the fish market?
0:53:12 > 0:53:15It can take me five minutes, but it has taken me an hour.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20Because it all depends who's there to speak to on the way!
0:53:22 > 0:53:24Here's us at the fish market now.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27You can see, it's not a bad walk, is it?
0:53:27 > 0:53:30How would you like to have to make this walk every day?
0:53:34 > 0:53:38While the road north of Inverness is likely to remain largely
0:53:38 > 0:53:43untouched, further south, an another significant change is on the way.
0:53:43 > 0:53:47Average speed cameras are being introduced on the stretch
0:53:47 > 0:53:50between Dunblane and Inverness.
0:53:51 > 0:53:55HGV in front of us, looks as if it's travelling a good bit
0:53:55 > 0:54:00in excess of the maximum 40mph speed restriction allowed on this road.
0:54:00 > 0:54:05These vehicles, the biggest majority of them, are governed to 56mph.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08So, in effect, when the driver has got his foot
0:54:08 > 0:54:13flat down on the accelerator, that is the maximum speed it should do.
0:54:13 > 0:54:1995% of HGV drivers are travelling the A9 at speeds above their 40mph
0:54:19 > 0:54:23national speed limit, often encouraged to go faster
0:54:23 > 0:54:27by the long lines of traffic building up behind them.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32We initially stopped you for your speed.
0:54:32 > 0:54:34You're clearly aware of the speed limit,
0:54:34 > 0:54:37because you slowed to 40 for the speed camera.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40And after the speed camera, you sped up again.
0:54:41 > 0:54:47- Have you got an idea why I've stopped you?- No.- Speed, I'm afraid.
0:54:47 > 0:54:50Over a distance of roughly about half a mile, we've measured
0:54:50 > 0:54:56your average speed, and I think you were showing 56.2 or something, OK?
0:54:56 > 0:55:00Which is, unfortunately, you're not allowed to do on a 40 limit, OK?
0:55:00 > 0:55:02- It's too fast.- Right.
0:55:03 > 0:55:07And it's calculated an average speed of 58.44mph.
0:55:07 > 0:55:10And you have done that over a distance of 0.494.
0:55:10 > 0:55:11Nearly half a mile.
0:55:13 > 0:55:14Too fast, eh?
0:55:15 > 0:55:21We've had a lot of serious and fatal accidents with heavy goods,
0:55:21 > 0:55:26and until the statistics come down or the law changes...
0:55:26 > 0:55:30- I know it's a hot potato at the moment.- I'm kicking myself, cos I know I shouldn't be doing it.
0:55:30 > 0:55:31I know, this is it.
0:55:35 > 0:55:39Every truck driver will tell you, average speed cameras are going to make this worse.
0:55:40 > 0:55:43So you've got one body of people saying one thing
0:55:43 > 0:55:46and the powers that be saying the other thing.
0:55:46 > 0:55:50So they spend 2.5 million or whatever they do
0:55:50 > 0:55:53putting in average speed cameras from Perth to Inverness.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56Why not spend 2.5 million on improving parts of the road?
0:55:56 > 0:55:59You know, I don't know where the logic of that comes.
0:56:02 > 0:56:06In Kincraig, near Aviemore, the first phase of the dualling
0:56:06 > 0:56:10plans are being shown to the local community.
0:56:10 > 0:56:14But, you see, they are evidently taking over...
0:56:14 > 0:56:17This is where the football and the shinty field is.
0:56:17 > 0:56:19It's vital for us that we come into the communities
0:56:19 > 0:56:23and talk to people to get a local perspective on our ideas.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26There is a lot of support widely for dualling,
0:56:26 > 0:56:29but sometimes there are local impacts that need to be discussed
0:56:29 > 0:56:31and talked about and shared with people.
0:56:34 > 0:56:38With the new arrangement, my quality of life will diminish,
0:56:38 > 0:56:43because the extra noise of lorries going at higher speeds
0:56:43 > 0:56:48than they do now will mean I can't use my back garden.
0:56:49 > 0:56:52'The problem is, you make a bigger road'
0:56:52 > 0:56:56and immediately you get that filled up with more traffic,
0:56:56 > 0:57:00so you can very soon be back in the position you were in before.
0:57:03 > 0:57:05- When it's all dualled, I hope we live to see it.- And I...
0:57:05 > 0:57:07We may not be here any more, so...
0:57:12 > 0:57:14The exhibition today is really important.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17It is a milestone for us, and this is the first of the dualling schemes
0:57:17 > 0:57:20between Perth and Inverness, so it's a real milestone.
0:57:20 > 0:57:24It's significant, and it is a clear statement that we are moving
0:57:24 > 0:57:26this dualling forward as fast as we can.
0:57:27 > 0:57:31'The A9 Blair Atholl to Pitlochry road remains closed southbound.'
0:57:33 > 0:57:34Another day on the A9. Yeah.
0:57:38 > 0:57:41'..Southbound on the A9, the Kessock Bridge...'
0:57:42 > 0:57:45Traffic, huge amount of people using the roads nowadays.
0:57:45 > 0:57:47Traffic is increasing all the time.
0:57:47 > 0:57:50Whether it be we're stopping vehicles to give people
0:57:50 > 0:57:53a bit of advice with regards to the manner of their driving,
0:57:53 > 0:57:56at the other end of it, if we need to, somebody... If it warrants it,
0:57:56 > 0:57:59they are charged for dangerous, careless...
0:57:59 > 0:58:01Detecting drink drivers.
0:58:01 > 0:58:05It's all adding to the big picture of keeping people
0:58:05 > 0:58:06safe on the roads today.
0:58:06 > 0:58:10'The A9 remains closed southbound following an accident.'
0:58:10 > 0:58:12The A9 has its bad reputation
0:58:12 > 0:58:15purely because of the amount of fatal accidents there is on it.
0:58:15 > 0:58:19In my eyes, a lot of it is just down to pure frustration.
0:58:19 > 0:58:21People just being in too big a hurry.
0:58:22 > 0:58:26Really, really in a serious hurry, and that is when it goes wrong
0:58:26 > 0:58:30and goes badly wrong for a lot of people. Yeah.