This letter appeared in the Press & Journal on 3rd July:

SIR, - Over the years I have read quite a few letters of criticism, usually justified, of ScotRail so I feel I have to redress the balance.

Last Thursday [28th June] I was due to travel home from Glasgow to Keith on the 6:11 p.m. train. Due to the abnormally hot conditions, which were affecting the rails, all trains from Glasgow Queen Street were cancelled or delayed until after 7 p.m. which meant we would miss the connection for Keith at Inverness.

When the train eventually left, some time after 7 p.m., the conductor came round asking for passengers who were travelling on from Inverness. Before arriving there at about 11 p.m. she had collected the numbers affected, contacted Inverness and we were told we would be met at Inverness by station staff and taken to our destinations by taxi.

I was eventually dropped off at Fochabers some time after midnight.

I feel I must congratulate ScotRail staff not only for their efficient organisation but for the trouble they took to keep us up to date on the situation.

Anne G Illingworth, Portknockie