Loch Lomond shoreline south of Luss pier – geograph.org.uk – 7552504.jpg · Alec MacKinnon · CC BY-SA 2.0 · cropped
McColls has cancelled two evening journeys on its 305 bus service between Alexandria and Luss every night from September 28 to October 16, 2026, because BEAR Scotland is closing the A82 overnight for essential tree felling south of Luss. The operator confirmed the 8:52pm departure from Alexandria to Luss and the 9:23pm return from Luss to Alexandria will not run on any affected night, as the Dumbarton Reporter reported on September 25.
If you ride the 305 in the evening, take an earlier bus or arrange another way home before the closures start on September 28. Travelers planning wider trips around Loch Lomond can use our Scotland itinerary routes to reshape days around the disruption.
BEAR Scotland, working on behalf of Transport Scotland, said the overnight closures at Arnburn, south of Luss, allow crews to remove diseased larch trees under a Statutory Plant Health Notice. Its September 22 notice schedules the work from the evening of Monday, September 28 until the morning of Saturday, October 17, while the McColls announcement sets the bus cancellations from September 28 to October 16 with full service on Sundays.
- Cancelled: McColls 305 journeys at 8:52pm from Alexandria to Luss and 9:23pm from Luss to Alexandria.
- Dates: Nightly from September 28 to October 16, 2026; full Sunday service still operates.
- Cause: BEAR Scotland overnight A82 closures at Arnburn, south of Luss, for diseased larch removal.
- Road hours: Closed from 8pm each working night with hourly amnesties and a 6am reopening.
- Operator advice: McColls apologised and asked affected passengers to make alternative arrangements.
Two Evening 305 Journeys Cancelled for Three Weeks
McColls confirmed that certain 305 services will not run from September 28 to October 16. The two cancelled journeys are the late evening runs in each direction, the 8:52pm departure from Alexandria to Luss and the 9:23pm departure from Luss back to Alexandria. All earlier 305 services continue to run as normal throughout the three week period.
The 305 links Alexandria Rail Station with Balloch and Luss, and it is operated by McColls on behalf of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. For residents and visitors without a car, the route is the direct public transport connection between Alexandria and the west shore of Loch Lomond, so the loss of the last two evening journeys changes the last safe departure home each night.
McColls said it apologises for the inconvenience and advises passengers who normally use these journeys to make alternative travel arrangements. The company confirmed that the only day the full service operates during the works period is Sunday, when no overnight road works take place.
A82 Overnight Closures at Arnburn South of Luss
BEAR Scotland said the closures allow essential landscaping work on the A82 at Arnburn, south of Luss, to remove larch trees infected with Phytophthora ramorum following a Statutory Plant Health Notice issued by Scottish Forestry. Specialist contractor Ayrshire Tree Surgeons will remove the trees mechanically with specialist equipment.
The work runs from the evening of Monday, September 28 until the morning of Saturday, October 17. Crews work from Monday night to Sunday morning each week, with no work planned for Sunday nights. The road closes from 8pm each working night and reopens by 6am.
Drivers passing through during closure nights can use hourly amnesties at 9pm, 10pm, 11pm, midnight, 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am and 5am. A convoy system with a temporary 10mph limit guides road users through the site at those times. Access for emergency services is maintained at all times.
Which Buses Still Run Each Day
Every 305 journey earlier in the day runs normally, including the daytime and early evening departures between Alexandria, Balloch and Luss. Only the 8:52pm outbound and 9:23pm return journeys are withdrawn. Passengers should treat the last running departure before those times as the final bus of the night.
Sunday service is unaffected because BEAR Scotland schedules no works for Sunday nights. Travelers who can shift an evening trip to a Sunday keep the full timetable. On every other day of the week from September 28 to October 16, evening travel after about 8:30pm needs a backup plan.
Scotland is seeing several rounds of autumn transport works. Travelers combining rail and bus legs should also check the Newcastle to Scotland rail closures with replacement buses before locking in connections across the border.
Overnight Alternatives Between Alexandria and Luss
The most reliable alternative is to travel earlier on the 305 itself, since daytime frequency is unchanged. Visitors staying in Luss for dinner should confirm the time of the last running bus before ordering, or book a taxi for the return to Alexandria and Balloch. Drivers can time A82 crossings to the hourly amnesty slots, but should expect convoy delays at 10mph through the works site.
Real time road information is available from Traffic Scotland during the works. Bus passengers should watch for updates from McColls in case the operator adjusts times, and rail passengers connecting at Alexandria should allow extra margin because a missed connection can no longer be rescued by the late buses.
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Ride the 8:52pm bus from Alexandria to Luss | Take an earlier 305 departure before September 28 arrives, or book a taxi for late nights through October 16. |
| Return from Luss after 9pm | Leave on an earlier evening bus, since the 9:23pm return to Alexandria does not run until October 17. |
| Drive the A82 past Luss overnight | Plan around the 8pm closure and use the hourly 9pm to 5am amnesty convoys, or travel outside closure nights. |
| Can shift your trip to Sunday | Travel Sunday for the full normal 305 timetable, as no works take place on Sunday nights. |
September 28 is the first gate. From the evening of Monday, September 28, the two late 305 journeys stop running, so be on an earlier bus or have a taxi arranged.
October 16 is the last affected night. Road works finish by the morning of Saturday, October 17, and normal evening buses resume after the Friday night cancellations.
Sunday nights are the weekly exception. With no works scheduled, Sundays keep full bus service and offer the simplest evening travel all through the works period.
Which McColls 305 buses are cancelled?
The 8:52pm journey from Alexandria to Luss and the 9:23pm journey from Luss to Alexandria are cancelled nightly from September 28 to October 16, 2026.
Why is the A82 closing overnight near Luss?
BEAR Scotland is removing diseased larch trees at Arnburn, south of Luss, under a Statutory Plant Health Notice for Phytophthora ramorum issued by Scottish Forestry.
Can drivers still use the A82 during the works?
Yes, with limits. The road closes at 8pm each working night and offers hourly amnesty convoys at 9pm through 5am with a 10mph limit before reopening by 6am.
Do any buses run on Sundays?
Yes. McColls runs the full 305 service on Sundays because BEAR Scotland schedules no works on Sunday nights.
Where can I check for changes before traveling?
Watch McColls announcements for bus updates and Traffic Scotland for live A82 road information during the September 28 to October 17 works window.
