Talks on new rail stations at Kintore and Dalcross
A plan for opening new stations on the railway line between Aberdeen and Inverness are being discussed by Transport Scotland and Network Rail.
In the Scottish Parliament, Transport Minister Keith Brown said a study by Network Rail had identified the potential for two new sites.
They were Kintore in Aberdeenshire and Dalcross, near Inverness Airport.
Mr Brown said it was appropriate the discussions were held on a "complex and costly" project.
The minister was responding to questions from Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles.
Kintore's original station shut down in the 1960s.