An Aberdeenshire charity has moved forward with plans to create a mountain bike trail in the area.
The North East Trail Centre Organisation (NETCO) was set up last year with the aim of creating the facility.
The group has now whittled 30 possible locations in the region down to just four – Durris, Blackhall, Pitfechie and Hill of Fare.
A large scale feasibility study will now be carried out into each site before a decision is made.
In the meantime, cyclists are being urged to back the plans by donating towards the project and writing letters of recommendation, which could help with the future planning application.
James Davidson, vice-treasurer at NETCO, said: “We have received significant support to date, from the public and from a wide range of organisations including Aberdeenshire Council, Forestry Commission Scotland and Visit Scotland.
“We see this as a great opportunity for the area.
“Mountain bike trail centres elsewhere in Scotland have proved to be a huge success benefiting local communities in providing jobs, tourist income and a valuable recreation space.
“We’re aiming to provide a facility that will generate year round use and provide a place for young and old to enjoy cycling in a safe, secure but challenging environment.”
Jo Robinson, the regional director of VisitScotland, said similar projects elsewhere in Scotland have produced huge benefits to tourism.
She said: “VisitScotland research shows that domestic visitors to Scotland who take part in mountain biking or cycling stay, on average, a total of over two million nights and spend £109 million each year. Such visitors will often stay at more remote and rural locations, generating income for smaller villages and towns not always visited on the traditional tourist trail.
“This has been demonstrated in other areas of Scotland, where businesses have benefited directly from the opening of the mountain biking trails, including during the traditionally quieter winter months.”
Donations to the project can be made at
https://mydonate.bt.com/events/netcomtb/302853
and letters of recommendation should be sent to netcomtb@gmail.com