A MAGPIE nest has caused massive rail disruption across West Dunbartonshire.

The nest was on a piece of overhead line equipment which then tripped the power supply at Hyndland station, affecting train services west and east.

ScotRail said it was unclear how long the nest had been there before 9am Tuesday when the lines failed.

Services between Helensburgh, Dumbarton, Balloch, Dalmuir, Milngavie and Edinburgh, Cumbernauld and Airdrie are all affected and likely to be disrupted until 2pm.

A ScotRail Alliance spokesman said: “Due to bird’s nest tripping the power in the overhead lines, services through Hyndland have been disrupted since around 9am.

"We have done everything we can to limit the impact on customers including arranging for valid train tickets to be accepted on the Glasgow Subway and First Bus services along the affected routes.

“Any customers delayed 30 minutes or more should keep hold of their tickets and claim compensation through our Delay Repay scheme.”

Separately, a land slip between Gilshochill and Possilpark and Parkhouse has halted services on the Anniesland to Glasgow Queen Street services via Maryhill. That disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day. ScotRail's website states it affects 52 services.

It has also affected the service to Oban and Fort William.