People in Dumfries and Galloway are being warned to stay away from the region’s forests this weekend due to Storm Eowyn.
Gusts of wind of up to 100mph are possible in parts of the region on Friday, with the Met Office issuing amber and red weather warnings.
And Forestry and Land Scotland is now urging people to avoid forests for the next few days until the weather improves.
Director of land management and regions, Graeme Prest, said: “Everyone has seen the impact of past storms and is aware of how much havoc strong winds can do. Storm Éowyn is no different and with a rare red alert has the potential to cause significant damage to some of our forests within its path.
“We would now ask that for the duration of the red storm warning on Friday and also across the weekend people avoid visiting any of our forests in the areas covered by the alert in the interests of their own safety. Even when the wind dies down, it may be unsafe to venture into forests due to unseen damage.
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“Members of the public have been very cooperative in staying out of previously affected forests and we appeal to the public to obey any visitor safety signage they see.”