Tree felling is scheduled to take place later this month in Culloden Woods to reduce the risk to railway passengers and nearby homes.
Forestry and Land Scotland will be working alongside Network Rail to carry out targeted felling near the railway line that runs through the popular woodland.
To keep trains running smoothly, the tree work is scheduled for the early mornings of Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July.
Contractors will begin setting up from the evening of Friday 25 July.
Local footpaths through Culloden Woods will be closed while the work is under way, with banksmen on hand to guide walkers safely across the site when possible.
Carol MacKintosh, Area Visitor Services Manager at Forestry and Land Scotland, said it made sense to schedule the work during quieter hours.
“We know how popular and well-used these paths are,” she said.
“So we’re doing the work in the evenings and early mornings when they are much less busy.”
As well as protecting the railway line, the team will also remove a handful of trees close to the boundary of the Woodside of Culloden housing estate.
Some of these trees have been identified as at risk of falling in high winds.
Removing them now will help protect nearby homes and keep walking routes safe.
Carol added that while there would be some noise during felling, it would be limited to a short period and kept to a minimum.
Specialist contractors will use precision chainsaws and winches to control exactly where trees fall and ensure they are removed safely from embankments and tracks.
Signage will be in place throughout the weekend to keep the public informed.
Anyone using the woods is being asked to follow safety instructions and obey all closure notices.
Rachel Long, Regional Asset Manager at Network Rail Scotland, said managing trees and vegetation near railway lines is a vital part of maintaining safety.
“This work is essential to protect passengers, staff and our lineside neighbours,” she said.
“By managing vegetation responsibly, we’re helping to keep the railway safe, reliable and resilient for the communities we serve.”
Felling will only take place if weather conditions are suitable.
If it cannot be completed this weekend, the work will be rescheduled for one of the two weekends that follow.
Forestry and Land Scotland say they hope to finish it all in one go, with as little disruption as possible.
Any questions about the work can be sent to: enquiries.north@forestryandland.gov.scot
