No opening date as Cairngorm funicular repairs near end

Opened in 2001 at a cost of £19.5m, the railway connects a base station with a restaurant and a ski area 1,097m (3,599ft) up Cairn Gorm – the UK’s sixth highest mountain.

David Oxley, director of strategic projects at HIE, said the agency recognised how important the funicular was to the local economy.

He said high winds, snow and ice had hampered efforts to carry out the last of the work to allow the railway to be reopened.

Mr Oxley told BBC Scotland News: “The contractor Balfour Beatty has largely finished most of those works pre-Christmas.

“We’re now going through that final inspection and making sure everything is safe and ready for return to service for the funicular.”

He said the latest work would cost more than previously estimated and discussions would be held with its contractors about who has responsibility for those additional costs.

Scottish Conservative MSP Edward Mountain said he was worried the extra money needed would come from taxpayers.

He added: “Businesses across Badenoch and Strathspey are struggling because the funicular railway is closed and they are losing bookings.

“HIE is not competently managing Cairn Gorm mountain.”

Mr Mountain said a public inquiry should be held into the handling of the funicular.