Cairngorm Mountain Railway returns to service

28th February 2025

The funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain resort returned to service on Thursday 27 February 2025.

Scotland's only funicular railway has been out of action since August 2023, while an extensive programme of remediation works has been carried out, led by contractor Balfour Beatty on behalf of estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

All safety-critical matters have now been concluded, enabling resort operator Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL) to bring the railway back to service for the remainder of the current snowsports season.

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."

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.

Housing the UK's highest restaurant and bar at over 1,065m, along with a 270° immersive film and extended viewing terrace, the Ptarmigan had a major makeover in 2021 and is a light, contemporary space with a cosy log fire and floor to ceiling windows for guests to enjoy spectacular views of the mountain range.

The Ptarmigan will reopen in stages with 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.

For the beginner slopes at the foot of the mountain, the adjacent cafe is also open throughout winter and offers outdoor clothing, food and drink by the log burner, and seasonal gifts. The resort as a whole offers year-round interest for outdoor enthusiasts and families, with plans for a major expansion of the play park area for summer 2025.

The funicular was withdrawn from service on safety grounds in August 2023 immediately after a routine inspection discovered that the tension of some ‘scarf joints’ that link beams and piers was below the recommended level.

Further inspections revealed that the issue was extensive and that further strengthening of beams and diaphragms and regrouting of base plates was also required to return the funicular to safe operations.

A combination of the scale and technical complexity of the remediation programme, plus the challenges of working in an exposed mountain environment in often harsh weather led to the works taking longer than had initially been expected.

In addition to the structural works, the two funicular 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 (February).

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.”