Humza Yousaf has said the Scottish Government is committed to funding a permanent solution to the long-running problems on the A83 at the Rest And Be Thankful mountain pass.

He and other ministers faced a series of “challenging” questions from members of the public at the first “travelling Cabinet” event since the pandemic in Inveraray. 

Meeting at Inveraray Parish Church, the Cabinet members were quizzed on a number of issues.

Mention of the A83, which has long been plagued by disruption caused by landslides, drew a groan from the audience at the start of the meeting.

In June, a £470 million plan to construct a mile-long road shelter was unveiled.

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John Gurr, chairman of the Rest And Be Thankful campaign, questioned whether this would go ahead in light of the Scottish Government’s tight funding situation for infrastructure.

The First Minister said Argyll and Bute Council had also raised the issue, and there is “absolutely a firm commitment”.

He said: “Does the commitment mean a funding commitment? The answer to that is yes.

“There’s no point making a commitment without the money. The money’s got to be there.”

Net Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan said the Government’s priority was “a permanent solution as soon as possible and reassurance on safety in the meantime”.