Lives Shattered by Tragedies on Scotland's Longest Road

A Tragic Journey on Scotland’s A9 Highway

A dream trip to Scotland turned into a nightmare for the family of Chris Strong. His wife, Katie, had traveled from the United States to the Highlands with her brother and mother to explore locations featured in their favorite TV show, Outlander. The family never returned home. All three were tragically killed in a car crash on the infamous A9 in August 2022.

This incident added to the grim legacy of the A9, Scotland's longest trunk road. Over the past decade, 48 people have lost their lives on the 113-mile stretch between Inverness and Perth. The road is known for its unpredictable conditions, switching between single and dual carriageways. Drivers often speed to overtake slower vehicles, and certain junctions require right turns across oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of accidents.

Originally, the project to dual the remaining single-carriageway sections of the A9 was set to be completed by 2025. However, this deadline has been pushed back by a full decade, now scheduled for 2035. The delay has left many concerned about the ongoing safety of the route.

Chris Strong, who lives in Chicago with his wife’s three daughters, has spoken about the lasting impact of the tragedy. He described Katie as “the glue that held all the great elements of our families together.” She was a hardworking, ambitious woman who was always learning and taking care of others. As a photographer, Chris keeps her memory alive by sharing stories of her and her family.

Katie, 46, was driving the car when it collided with a lorry on a single-carriageway section of the A9 south of Aviemore. Her brother, Jared Bastion, and mother, Mary-Lou Mauch, died at the scene. Katie passed away four days later in a hospital in Dundee. The lorry driver was unharmed.

Chris arrived in Scotland shortly after the crash and spent 24 hours with Katie before she passed away. He said, “I was able to get there in time to see her. She was on a ventilator. Then they did tests and determined that she was not going to come back.”

Personal Stories of Loss and Trauma

The A9 has claimed many lives, and those who have experienced its dangers firsthand know the pain it brings. Ronnie Weir, who lives near the road in Dowally, Perthshire, was involved in a head-on collision in April 2017. A car came toward him on the wrong side of the road, resulting in a deadly crash. The other driver suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died at the wheel. Ronnie, who sustained leg injuries, still feels the effects of the accident every day.

Lorry driver Elaine MacKenzie, who frequently travels the A9, says she prays every time she sets out on the road. She believes that the lack of dual carriageways contributes to dangerous situations, especially when drivers attempt to overtake her in unsafe areas. “If the road was dualled all the way from Inverness to Perth, it would be very different,” she said. “Then cars could overtake me if they wanted, and you wouldn’t have to be worried.”

Ongoing Concerns and Delays

According to Scottish government data, 48 people died on the A9 between Inverness and Perth between 2014 and 2024. More than 80% of these deaths occurred on non-dual carriageway sections. Over the same period, 558 people were involved in collisions, with the majority occurring on undualled roads.

The SNP committed to dualing the A9 in 2007, with a target date of 2025. However, in February 2023, ministers admitted that meeting this deadline was “unachievable.” By October 2023, the completion date was delayed by a decade, pushing it to 2035. Despite the setback, the government claims a new rolling program of improvements remains “achievable” and that work will continue without pause.

Only 11 miles of the A9 have been upgraded over the past decade, leaving 77 miles still to be dualled. Campaigner Laura Hansler, who lives near the road in the Cairngorms, emphasized the human cost of each delay. “Every time there is a delay... you're basically going to cause someone else and another family to lose their loved one on this road.”

Government Response and Road Safety Efforts

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop acknowledged the frustrations surrounding the A9 dualling project. She stated that any loss of life on the road is a tragedy and that road safety is a top priority. The government has invested £5 million in interim road safety measures, including short-term improvements to enhance safety while the long-term project continues.

Hyslop also cited external factors such as Brexit and the pandemic as challenges affecting the project. However, she stressed that the government has a plan and is meeting its milestones. “We have a plan, we're meeting our milestones,” she said.

Despite these efforts, the delays continue to raise concerns among residents and campaigners. With the completion date now set for 2035, the hope remains that the A9 will eventually become a safer route for all who travel it.