TRAFFIC returned to a vital rural route near Arrochar this morning after a weekend closure.

The Rest and Be Thankful on the A83 reopened at 11am on Monday after being closed on Friday evening as a precaution.

Traffic was diverted to the Old Military Road over the weekend from 7pm on Friday because of rain forecast.

Hillside movement in mid-September led to various closures in recent weeks and convoy travel at other points.

BEAR Scotland, operators of the route on behalf of Transport Scotland, said they would continue to monitor the road closely.

Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s north west representative, said: “We took the proactive step to divert traffic using the Old Military Road local diversion route over the weekend period in response to the potential for heavy rainfall.

“Monitoring and inspection of the hillside and the improved weather now forecast over the early part of this week has enabled us to return traffic to the A83 under convoy control.

“We continue to monitor conditions closely and note that further wet weather is likely toward the end of this week.

"As such, the Old Military Road is being maintained in a state of readiness such that access along the A83 corridor can be maintained for the travelling public, keeping Argyll very much open for business.”