Cairngorm Funicular Re Opening Is Postponed As Bear Discovered Defecating In Forest

Highlands and Islands Enterprise have announced a further delay in the re opening of 'troubled' Cairngorm Mountain's equally 'troubled' funicular. Cairngorm's current state might be described as below par following the shambolic sale of the resort's moveable assets to Natural retreats, a company with no experience of running ski resorts, their sale of the assets to Natural Assets Investments Limited (NAIL) - a company with many of the same directors as Natural Retreats and, as the operator ran out of money their sale back to Highlands and Islands Enterprise for twice the original sale price. 

Now anyone with no head for figures might think that these arranagements were unorthadox, but SIN's finance experts realise that this is a perfectly normal state of affairs for a public body.

At least Cairngorm's hardy clientele will have lots to talk about  as they freeze in lift queues that would make a soviet shop with a delivery of steak and fridges seem empty.

The current phase of engineering works to strengthen the 1.9km viaduct that supports the railway track began in April 2021, with the aim of returning the funicular to service early next year. However, despite strong progress made in tough conditions, HIE has concluded that the planned timescale now needs to extend into the second half of 2022.

The mountain resort will stay open throughout winter, with skiers and snowboarders able to access the slopes using nine ski tows that will run every day when weather conditions are suitable.

According to the development agency, several factors have combined to lengthen the funicular reinstatement programme. These include technical challenges associated with designing and implementing effective solutions to an existing structure, as opposed to a new build.In addition, progress has been hampered by COVID impacts and by extreme weather, particularly blizzard conditions in the spring. SIN also understands that the dog managed to eat at least one staff member's homework

Extra effort has also been required to source vital construction materials that are currently in short supply across the UK.

HIE interim chief executive Carroll Buxton said this combination of challenges had made rescheduling the works inevitable.

“Cairngorm Mountain Estate is a great visitor attraction that plays an important role in the local economy.,” she said.

“The funicular has been a key element of what draws people to Cairngorm and it will be again, once these works are completed. We’ve always been upfront in describing the reinstatement programme as one of the most complex and difficult civil engineering projects in Scotland. As well as managing technical challenges, the team has to take great care to protect the mountain environment, and deal with difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions that can quickly become hazardous.

“The original schedule was very ambitious, even without the impacts of the pandemic lasting as long as they have and before the more recent problems in sourcing construction materials of suitable quality. With limited time available to complete these works before winter, postponement has become inevitable.”

The funicular opened in 2001 but was taken out of service in 2018 after an engineers’ inspection identified structural defects that raised safety concerns.

More detailed inspection and design work followed before the decision to reinstate the funicular was announced last October by the Scottish Government, as part of a £20.5m business case that includes other priority investments to strengthen Cairngorm Mountain’s year-round appeal.

The business case assessed alternatives to reinstatement before reaching its conclusions, including removing the structure, and replacing it with alternative uplift.

“We’re now working with our designers and contractors on a revised schedule for the remainder of the project,” Ms Buxton added. “Harsh mountain conditions mean that all work will need to halt over winter and resume next spring. To ensure safety, there also needs to be a period of testing and certification at the end of the programme, so our current expectation is that the funicular can be relaunched in autumn 2022. Clearly, a longer timescale will also have a financial impact. We’ll be reviewing costs very carefully and will publicly confirm a revised budget as soon as it’s possible to do so.”

SIN wonders at the justification for the delay seeming to include 'harsh mountain conditions', as the last time SIN checked the weather forecast ski resorts were known for their mountain conditions and snowy weather. Perhaps they were relying on Natural Retreats for their expertise in ski area operation. 

Confirming its commitment to the mountain resort, HIE has also approved up to £780,000 for an extensive refurbishment of the Ptarmigan building that sits on the plateau and includes the UK’s highest restaurant, a shop, exhibition space and viewing platforms.

Following competitive tender, resort operator Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL) has awarded a contract for the first phase of the Ptarmigan works to Simpson Builders Ltd, based in Beauly. The refurbishment is due to start at the end of August and be completed by the end of 2021.