Latest Update on Cairngorm Funicular

16th April 2024

Last modified on April 18th, 2024

A programme of remedial works to try to bring Scotland’s only funicular railway back into service at Cairngorm Mountain continues. UPDATED

With the snowsports season now over teams from contractor Balfour Beatty, appointed by Cairngorm Estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are set to be deployed on the mountainside.

Here is their account of the current state of play in a released statement:

A prime area of focus will be hundreds of ‘scarf joints’ linking beams and piers along the 1.7km viaduct.

These were installed as part of a major reinstatement programme that ran for just over two years from November 2020.

In addition, testing is under way on tensioning works to beams and diaphragms that were also installed as part of the reinstatement programme and remedial action will be taken as required.

The funicular was initially withdrawn over safety concerns in October 2018, but came back into service in January 2023.

In August of that year, however, the service was again stopped after several scarf joints were found to be below the specified tension.

Hector MacAulay MBE, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Regional business in Scotland, said: “We are working hard to complete this programme of remedial works as quickly as possible, deploying multiple teams simultaneously to safely reinstate this unique attraction and resume service before the next winter snowsports season.”

Stuart Black, Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “Balfour Beatty’s commitment to concluding these important works over the coming months is very welcome.

“This is still a challenging period for Cairngorm and we want to thank all the loyal supporters who continue to visit and enjoy all that the mountain estate has to offer throughout the year while work is ongoing to bring the funicular back.”

The funicular viaduct is essentially a series of 94 linked bridges of varying heights, supporting a railway that ascends Cairn Gorm to an altitude of over 1,000m.

Originally opened in 2001, it operates two carriages carrying visitors between the Cairngorm base station and Ptarmigan building, which houses a restaurant, shop, exhibition and viewing platform.

During winter, it is the main form of uplift to enable skiers and snowboarders to access higher parts of the mountain.

Cairngorm Mountain remains open while the programme of remedial works is under way.

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There has been some reaction from readers on the PlanetSKI facebook page:

Peter Lewis – I really feel this is a waste of money. The original piers holding up the railway were made of concrete which were vulnerable to deterioration in Scotland’s fierce freeze-thaw conditions. Unless they are replaced the same will happen again. Meanwhile money that could be spent on skier-friendly gondolas, chairs and drag lifts is wasted on repairing the funicular. Cairngorm was once the premier snow sport area in Scotland/UK – no more!

Amanda Gallagher – Just install a chair lift instead!