UK's highest railway the Cairngorm funicular to return to service after 17-month closure

The UK’s highest railway is set to reopen after more than 17 months out of service.

The Cairngorm funicular in Aviemore has been undergoing extensive repairs since being closed in August 2023 – months after returning to service following four years of repairs costing £25m.

Resort operator Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL) said all safety-critical matters had been concluded, allowing the railway to return to service for the remainder of the current snowsports season from February 27.

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 five minutes.

It comes after calls were made for a public inquiry into the failings of the government agency-owned funicular railway.

Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Edward Mountain said that businesses across the whole of Speyside had suffered as a result of the service being out of action.

Operators blamed the combination of the scale and technical complexity of the repair work and the challenges of working in an exposed mountain environment for the work taking longer than initially expected.

CMSL said further work will be carried out on the funicular during a less busy period in late spring or early summer.

The Cairngorm funicular railway is to reopen. Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Tim Hurst, interim CEO of CMSL, 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 Ptarmigan – the UK’s highest restaurant and bar – will reopen in stages following a makeover in 2021.

The restaurant and bar initially serving homemade soup, sandwiches and drinks for customers. During the coming weeks the restaurant offering will be expanded to a full menu and the film, exhibition and gift shop will reopen.

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 added: “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.”