Cairngorm Mountain Funicular Railway Reopens After Four-Year Closure

After a four-year closure, the Cairngorm Mountain Railway has reopened, taking passengers and snowsports enthusiasts up the northern slopes of Cairn Gorm to the Cairngorm Mountain ski resort.

The Cairngorm Mountain Railway has reopened after it was closed due to structural concerns. The total cost of repairs has reached £52m. 

The faults were discovered after the actual costs of building the funicular spiralled from £14.8m to £26.75m.

Taxpayers are having to foot the bill for the extra costs in fixing the structural issues with the Scottish Government agency-owned Cairngorms mountain railway to the tune of £9m.

The total cost of repairs has reached £52m - good value?

The railway, which first opened in 2001, is the highest in the United Kingdom. The two-kilometre long funicular climbs the northern slopes of Cairn Gorm and serves the Cairngorm Mountain ski resort.

On January 26, the railway opened for the first time since it was shut in September 2018, and will now once again transport members of the public to the upper slopes. 

It will also take passengers to The Ptarmigan, the UK's highest restaurant at over 1,065m, which also reopened on January 26 following a full refurbishment.

See our previous posting here

Photo credit Alan Brattey 15/2/23

Parkswatch Scotland have reported difficulties in using the Cairngorm slopes since the opening of the railway due to lack of parking facilities. A minibus has been operating to assist in moving skiers, but the bus is not designed to transport people in ski boots and who will be carrying Skis/Boards/Poles. See the full report here