Cairngorm funicular set to return to service

The Cairngorm funicular is expected to return to service on Thursday (February 27th).

Operators have confirmed the UK's highest railway will be in action again following a series of issues.

It re-opened in January 2023 after four years of essential repairs, costing £25 million.

However, the funicular closed again in August of that year due to snagging issues.

All safety critical matters are now complete, with this being described as a "watershed moment" for the Cairngorm Mountain Resort.

"Critical" importance of funicular highlighted

Estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) say weather conditions permitting, the 2km funicular railway will again run a regular service throughout the day, seven days a week, taking snowsports enthusiasts and sightseers from the base station to the Ptarmigan building at the top of the slopes in around 5 minutes. 

Interim CEO of Cairngorm Mountain, Tim Hurst has thanked people for their patience.

He said: "The Cairngorm Mountain team are overjoyed to be welcoming customers onto the funicular railway once more.

“Following confirmation from our parent company Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the railway has been handed over to us at CMSL to operate once more.

“We recognise how critical the railway is, not only to our entire team here at CMSL, but to all our customers and to many businesses in the local and regional area.

“We would like to thank all our visitors for their patience whilst remediation took place.”

The UK's highest restaurant and bar, the Ptarmigan, will re-open in stages after going through a major revamp.

In addition to the funicular's structural works, the two carriages have also had new undercarriage assemblies fitted by specialist Swiss company Garaventa, which also carried out routine inspection and maintenance on the trains earlier this month.

Balfour Beatty will return to Cairngorm during a less busy period in late spring or early summer to carry out some final remediation works that are not essential for safe operations.

David Oxley, Director of Strategic Projects with HIE, said: “Clearly, it has taken longer than we had hoped to get to this position, but the return of the funicular is a watershed moment for Cairngorm Mountain and its many loyal visitors.

“Cairngorm Mountain plays an important role as a prime Scottish visitor attraction and a driver of economic activity at the heart of the local community.

“With the return of the funicular, people across a huge range of ages and abilities will again be able to experience this wonderful mountain environment not only in winter, but every season.”

Scottish Government Employment and Investment Minister Tom Arthur said: “I recognise this is a pivotal moment for Highland residents, businesses, workers and the many tourists who visit the region every year.

“The funicular is a top attraction, acting as a gateway to some of Scotland’s most breathtaking views.

"It also provides valued support to local, independent businesses, particularly in the hospitality and sports sectors.

“Its reopening is a boost to Scotland’s rural economy, a boost to local people and a boost to Scotland.”