Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider WED 9TH JUL 2025    3:14:06 PM BST
This site uses cookies, by continuing to use this site you accept the terms of our privacy policy
Back To Top
Caithness.Org Quick Links
Home
Construction
Leisure
Manufacturing
Misc.
Primary
Professional
Public
Retail
Tourism
Transport
Site Map
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Feed 2.0 Loading...

Update To Cairngorm Strategic Plan Is Published

3rd July 2019

Photograph of Update To Cairngorm Strategic Plan Is Published

The authors of far-reaching 2018 report on potential investment priorities at Cairngorm Mountain have reviewed and updated their findings.

US-based consultants SE Group were commissioned last year by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), owner of Cairngorm estate. Their brief was to study Cairngorm's potential as a premier Scottish ski centre and visitor attraction, and identify potential investments that would maximise its drawing power and contribution to the local economy.

In October 2018, however, as the report was being concluded, safety concerns raised in an engineers' inspection led to the Cairngorm funicular railway being taken out of service.

In light of this, SE Group were asked to review their findings and address immediate priorities for investment at Cairngorm while the funicular is not running.

Although the funicular presents no immediate danger to the public, investigations by specialist engineers have concluded that piers, beams and foundations all need to be strengthened, and new bearings installed, before it can run safely again.

HIE has consistently stated that its ambition is to repair the structure and return the mountain railway to service, which all investigations carried out so far indicate would be technically achievable.

A combination of public procurement regulations and extreme weather conditions over winter mean that the earliest a programme of repairs could begin would be spring or summer 2020. The funicular will therefore remain out of service over winter 2019-20.

While it is not running, snowsports access is planned to be maintained through a combination of artificial snow making at lower levels and ski tows to the higher runs.

SE Group’s new findings, published on the HIE website as an addendum to their original report, again focus on investments with the greatest potential impact to improve the visitor experience and generate more business.

Proposed enhancements would also aim to create a more efficient and economically viable operation capable of maintaining its popularity throughout the year.

Noting that the funicular has played a vital role in enabling all-season access to the mountain, they conclude that it can again become a central part of the visitor offering.

Proposals for winter include a new aerial chairlift featuring six-person lifts; enhanced snow making, and improvements to the terrain on the mountainside, including smoother runs and additional skiing routes. A ‘carpet conveyor’ would improve the beginner experience, and actions to improve the base area facilities and increase food options are also recommended.

Taken together, these improvements are designed to bring Cairngorm close to achieving its previous ski visitor numbers of around 130,000 a year.

Increasing the resort’s summer appeal is equally important. While the consultants remain convinced of the value of introducing a mountain coaster, they have reviewed the location and now recommend that the staging area is within the base area, improving ease of access for all visitors.

Opportunities for mountain biking should continue to be explored, the report says, while recognising the need for robust measures to protect the environment.

A welcoming base area is recommended, with improved food and drink offers, interpretative signage, and family activities that are sympathetic to the natural environment and the Cairngorm brand.

The two reports are expected to be influential in informing a masterplan for Cairngorm that HIE will lead on developing, with strong input invited from local people. Public consultation with partner organisations and communities in Badenoch and Strathspey is currently being planned, and statutory consents would also be required for any significant developments.

Douglas Cowan, director of communities and place with HIE, said: "Cairngorm is a key asset for Scotland, both environmentally and economically, and the funicular is a key asset for Cairngorm.

"It’s absolutely vital that we continue to address the serious challenges caused by the funicular being out of action and ensure that Cairngorm Mountain remains a significant driver of the local economy.

“HIE and the Scottish Government are agreed that repair is the preferred option in principle, though it’s important to stress that we need to conclude the engineers’ reviews and determine costs and funding sources before this can be approved.

“At the same time, we must continue to look to the long-term, and ensure that local people have a meaningful opportunity to put forward views that will inform a future masterplan that will shape our experience of Cairngorm for decades to come."

Susan Smith, interim chief executive of Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd, said:

“This has been a difficult period for Cairngorm Mountain, but the staff remain absolutely dedicated to the mountain and the business, and are putting in a tremendous effort to create a brighter future.

“We very much welcome this update, which underlines both the fantastic potential of Cairngorm as a national asset and the importance of the funicular to a successful mountain resort.

“It is absolutely vital that we establish CMSL as a viable business, with strong growth potential and a key role in supporting the wider economy of Badenoch and Strathspey.

“With support from HIE, we are already implementing some of the original report’s recommendations, including improvements to facilities and activities at the base area, in ways that are in keeping with the mountain environment."

The SE Group’s Cairngorm Ski Area Feasibility Assessment and Strategic Plan and the new Addendum are on the HIE website -

http://www.hie.co.uk/regional-information/area-information/inner-moray-firth/cairngorm.html

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Salmon farm company to convert waste to useable product
A project to recycle waste at an aquaculture hatchery in Wester Ross has secured up to £630,290 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Bakkafrost Scotland limited is leading the project, which has a total investment value of more than £2.5m.  
Renewable energy firm ENERCON welcomed to Wick Business Park
Wick Business Park has welcomed wind energy technology company ENERCON as the first occupant of one of four new units completed last year.   ENERCON specialises in designing, producing, installing and servicing onshore wind turbines and has been operating in the Caithness area since 2013.  
New recruits at HIE Caithness and Sutherland teamThumbnail for article : New recruits at HIE Caithness and Sutherland team
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed new members to its Caithness and Sutherland team as the agency settles into its new premises and works to expand its client portfolio.   Claire Wilson has joined as head of business growth and investment.  
Applications open for the 2025/26 Scottish Rural Leadership Programme
Businesses in the Highlands and Islands are invited to apply to the 2025/26 Scottish Rural Leadership Programme.   The initiative is designed to empower rural business owners and senior leaders across Scotland with the skills, confidence and strategic insight needed to drive innovation and growth in their communities.  
Recruitment under way for next Chair of Highlands and Islands EnterpriseThumbnail for article : Recruitment under way for next Chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise
The Scottish Government has begun recruitment to appoint a new Chair for the Board of development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Applications are currently being invited through the government's public appointments website with a closing date of 7 July 2025.  
Renewable energy training centre officially opened in InvernessThumbnail for article : Renewable energy training centre officially opened in Inverness
Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, has officially opened Aurora's pioneering Renewable Energy Training Centre in Inverness - the only facility of its kind serving the Highlands.   The £1.2m training centre has already demonstrated its importance to Scotland's net-zero ambitions, training to more than 1,000 people in its first year and gearing up to train more than 2,000 workers annually who will be central to the country's renewable energy future.  
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will invest up to £24 million at Kishorn Port
A multi-million pound investment is being made in one of Scotland's most strategically important ports.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will invest up to £24 million at Kishorn Port in the west Highlands to enhance its capacity and capabilities, with an expanded dry dock and land reclamation enabling the manufacture of floating offshore wind foundations.  
Commercial diver training company in Argyll to scope expansionThumbnail for article : Commercial diver training company in Argyll to scope expansion
A commercial diver training company in Argyll is exploring the potential to expand the business to include closed bell diver training.   Dunoon based Professional Diving Academy (PDA) has secured £5,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to help cover associated market assessment consultancy costs.  
New green training skills facilities open in Stornoway - Fosgladh Goireasan Trèanaidh Sgilean Uaine ann an SteòrnabhaghThumbnail for article : New green training skills facilities open in Stornoway - Fosgladh Goireasan Trèanaidh Sgilean Uaine ann an Steòrnabhagh
The new, state-of-the-art Technology and Innovation Centre at UHI North, West and Hebrides' Stornoway campus officially opened following a £2.3m investment.   It is the first capital project to be delivered under the Islands Growth Deal, a ten-year package that seeks to drive economic growth and the creation of sustainable jobs across Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides.  
Operator sought for new innovation centreThumbnail for article : Operator sought for new innovation centre
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is looking to contract a specialist operating company to run a new multi-million-pound innovation centre under development in Moray to support manufacturing.   The three-year contract will involve developing and managing the service offering of the new Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM), as well as stakeholder engagement, marketing and promotion of the facility.