Cairngorm funicular railway opening delayed after more issues found during repairs

The opening of a funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain has been delayed for repairs.

The highest railway in the UK reopened in January 2023 after four years of repairs costing £25m – more than the initial cost of building the line – but shut down again in August.

It closed again the following August due to “snagging works” with operators hoping it would return to service within weeks.

Months later, it has now been confirmed that further repairs will be needed.

Significant work has already been undertaken to strengthen the 1.8km viaduct, but detailed inspections have now shown that further work is required.

Cairngorm Estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is due to review what work needs to be done in early January with a view to bringing the funicular back as soon as possible.

Once the work is completed, mechanical safety testing, trial runs and staff training will also have to take place before it is reopened.

The news comes as a Highland MSP called for a public inquiry into the failings of the government agency-owned funicular railway.

Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Edward Mountain said in April: “We were promised the mountain was going to be open before this skiing season and we’ve had some great snow, from the beginning of December up on top of the mountain, but couldn’t access it.

“It means the 15,000-odd skiiers that we’ve had are much less than we should have had and that means businesses across the whole of Speyside have suffered.”

Resort operator Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd has launched its winter season, with manufactured snow covering the beginners’ area, which can be accessed from the car park.

When natural snowfall allows skiing and snowboarding at higher levels, surface lifts will be available to provide access to the mountain.

Snowsports enthusiasts are advised to check condition reports that are regularly updated on the resort’s website: www.cairngormmountain.co.uk

HIE is expected to provide a further update in January.