Man arrested after Inverness evacuations — bbcnews
Police arrested and charged a 61-year-old man after a disturbance in the Hilton area of Inverness that forced nearby homes to be evacuated on Wednesday evening. The road closure and cordon were put in place for safety; residents were allowed to return the following morning.
What happened and when
Officers responded to a report of concern for a person on Mackay Road at about 2: 00 p. m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. A section of the road was closed between the local primary school and Cauldeen Road while emergency crews established a cordon and carried out precautionary evacuations of several nearby properties.
The immediate priority for police and emergency services was to secure the scene and ensure the safety of residents and children attending the nearby school. The closure remained in place overnight and was lifted at about 3: 00 a. m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, when residents were permitted to return to their homes.
Arrest, charge and next steps
By Thursday morning officers had arrested a 61-year-old man in connection with the incident. He has been charged and is scheduled to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Authorities said the decision to evacuate properties was a precaution while the scene was managed.
Investigations remain ongoing and police have indicated that public safety measures taken during the incident were proportionate to the concerns raised. No further details about the charges or the nature of the concern have been released to preserve the integrity of the ongoing process.
Community impact and response
Residents in the cordoned area described a tense few hours but welcomed the timely return to their homes once the situation was cleared. Local schools and services in the immediate vicinity were not reported to have been directly harmed, and officials emphasized that the rapid response helped to prevent escalation.
Neighbourhoods often rely on clear, measured actions from emergency services when incidents arise. In this case, the combination of a contained cordon, targeted evacuations and a swift arrest reassured many in the community that risks had been managed effectively.
Authorities have asked anyone with relevant information or who witnessed the incident to make contact through the usual police channels so investigators can complete inquiries. No further public safety alerts were in place after the road reopened early Thursday morning.
