Campaigners fighting to retain popular woodland tracks in a Moray forest are hopeful a compromise may have been agreed.
Horse riders who use the Balloch Wood near Keith had concerns they may be prevented from using the trails amid a review of path networks across the country.
The serene location which leads to stunning views across Moray and beyond is also well-used by cyclists and walkers.
But Forest Enterprise, who maintain the trails, insist the proposals were only aimed at combining the routes and not reducing them.
Mary Stelmach, chairwoman of the Balloch Riders’ Access Group, said: “We fully understand they need to maintain their resources within a budget.
“We are encouraged that by working with Forest Enterprise we have moved to a point where a compromise might allow the low-level path to remain.
“The community values the benefit to social, physical and mental health of these open spaces. This is certainly recognised by health professionals, but not necessarily by other organisations.”
The access group comprises riders who have been largely responsible for creating the woodland trails.
There are currently three horse-friendly routes in the forest, including a short loop and a long climb to the summit of Meikle Balloch hill.
Moray MP Douglas Ross has supported the riders in their campaign to keep the forest accessible to multiple users.
He said: “It was good to see the investment that has been made in the past at the Balloch with way-markers offering user-friendly paths for walkers, horse riders and cyclists to enjoy open spaces.
“The benefits to social, physical and mental health that these opportunities offer cannot be overstated.
“I hope discussions between Forest Enterprise and local user groups will result in a compromise where way-markers will be maintained to ensure it continues to be a welcoming place for people to exercise.”
A Forest Enterprise Scotland spokesman said: “Like many organisations we are having to make our limited resources stretch that little bit further and it had been our intention at Balloch Wood to move from five way-marked trails into one trail.
“However, we have listened to the concerns of the local community and have offered to modify one of the original five trails as it is, this would combine 90% of the other four trails into a second way-marked route which will be a low level easier trail.”
