Tourism across the Scottish Highlands received a massive boost today (7th June) when the new £15 million year-round visitor attraction at Cairn Gorm was officially opened by Mike Watson, MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport at the Scottish Executive.

The CairnGorm Funicular Railway project has been funded by the Scottish Executive through its agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise which has invested £12.1m in the project with a further £2.7m coming from the European Regional Development Fund. The Highland Council has contributed a further £1m to the overall project, in particular towards the new mountain exhibition.

The CairnGorm funicular railway has been running successfully since last Christmas but today marked the completion of the last phase of the development with the opening of the new Ptarmigan restaurant where the mountain exhibition is housed. The Ptarmigan, at an altitude of 1,097 metres, is only 122 metres lower than the summit of Cairn Gorm, the UK's 5th highest mountain and contains the UK's highest restaurant, the interpretative exhibition and a retail outlet - as well as the UK's highest underground station. In addition, the new visitor attractions at CairnGorm include several mountain footpaths, all starting at the new Base Station and each individually sign posted for ease of access.

Among these is the unique An t-Aonach Trail, the country's first all-abilities footpath, funding for which came largely from Scottish Natural Heritage and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

First considered over a decade ago, the CairnGorm Mountain development proposals, particularly the suggested replacement of the former chairlift by the new funicular railway, have often been the subject of controversy, discussion and objections.

But, as Hamish Swan, Chairman of CairnGorm Mountain Ltd., pointed out at the opening ceremony: "We have successfully overcome the various obstacles and hurdles placed in our path. Our plans and proposals have been fully scrutinised at all levels and, every time, were found to have the highest environmental, economic and legal integrity. The lessons that we have learned from this scheme should become a template for other parts where differing and diverse interests and points of view have to live together in harmony for the greater benefit of the entire community and the environment.

"At the same time, this new visitor attraction has also been a catalyst in bringing different interests together to deliver a whole package of benefits to the local community and to achieve a genuine balance between recreational, environmental and economic land use within a sensitive area. This experience will have been of considerable benefit with the imminent advent of the new CairnGorms National Park and has been a most valuable lesson for everyone."

Speaking after unveiling a plaque within the base station at Coire Cas, Mike Watson, MSP said: "I applaud Highlands and Islands Enterprise's vision in supporting the development of the funicular. We must build on this initial success of the funicular. CairnGorm Mountain operators now need to work closely with local accommodation providers and transport operators to offer the ultimate package to our visitors."

"Scotland will only become a must-visit destination, if we out-class our competitors. We need to become associated in people's minds as somewhere that can provide that special holiday experience.

"I am delighted that Scottish Natural Heritage has been closely involved in the project, approving and overseeing the environmental aspects at all stages of the project. Conservation, communities and commerce can no longer be pitted against each other. The funicular project demonstrates that we can successfully balance environmental concerns with projected economic benefits."

On what was an emotional day for many, particularly those with long associations with the mountain, Hamish Swan, Chairman of CairnGorm Mountain Ltd., paid tribute to those early pioneers of the Sixties without whose vision and imagination none of what now exists could have been enjoyed.

Said Mr Swan: "Those early visionaries saw what could be achieved - we have been privileged to have been able to reach out and touch their vision. Today, a dream has become a reality."

And, in recognising what clearly had been a massive team effort, he also paid tribute to his own team, some of whom have been involved with the project since its earliest days.

Mr Swan continued: "Everyone involved at CairnGorm Mountain Ltd., and its predecessor the Cairngorm Chairlift Company, should be very proud to have delivered this new development on time and against what often appeared to be formidable odds. Throughout it all, they carried the belief that someday it would all be in place, had the confidence and commitment to make it happen as quickly as possible, and possessed the tenacity and drive required to see it completed."

"That we have been able to deliver this massive boost to tourism during the International Year of Mountains is particularly appropriate and significant for those of us who love our Scottish mountains and hills."

Dr Jim Hunter, Chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said the mountain railway was one of three major initiatives set to create new employment and leisure opportunities for local people and visitors to Strathspey and Badenoch.

"It is a genuine thrill to see a new Scottish visitor attraction of international distinction come to fruition here in the Highlands," said Dr Hunter.

"As well as immediately placing CairnGorm again on the list of the country's 'must-see' visitor destinations, this project will help to underpin local jobs in the tourism and hospitality industry which is of vital economic importance.

"Together with the plans for a Cairngorms National Park and the HIE network's continuing commitment to ensure a high quality redevelopment of the Aviemore centre, today's opening sends a clear message that this area, like the Highlands and Islands as a whole, is taking on today's challenges and facing the future with confidence."

Right from the start, protection of the highly sensitive and fragile Cairngorm plateau, one of the last great European wildernesses, has been a major issue. As a response to concern being expressed by conservationists, and as part of the planning conditions, the 'closed system' in operation for visitor management means that there is no access from the Ptarmigan station onto the plateau and this is closely monitored by the company.

Bob Kinnaird, the company's Chief Executive said: "The integrity of the closed system is very important to us and we go to great lengths to effect it. However, there is still a tiny minority, including some who should know better, who want to break the rules and abuse the system, albeit that even this small number are not venturing as far as the protected sites on the plateau. To put it all into perspective, we should remember that the former chairlift system provided unrestricted access to the plateau for more than 50,000 summer visitors, the vast majority of whom never ventured any further than a few metres outside."

The operating company's genuine concern for the environment also saw the introduction of special construction techniques to minimise damage and now, extensive and unique environmental management schemes have been created to encourage the restoration and protection of the mountain landscape.

Bob Kinnaird explained: "What is not immediately evident, but will become so as the project develops, matures and is carefully managed, is the manner in which we have also complied with regulations and standards required by the planning authorities.

"We have introduced some of the most comprehensive environmental management schemes ever seen and our monitoring systems cover all forms of wildlife, plants and geomorphology as much as paying attention to the impact of man and the related recreational uses of a mountain environment."

Since it opened in late December, more than 50,000 non-skiing visitors have travelled on the new funicular and it is already a not-to-be-missed tourism destination for many visitors to the Highlands. Last weekend, the Queen's Jubilee Weekend, more than 2,000 visitors took the opportunity to head for the top via the funicular.

David Green, Convener of The Highland Council said: "The Highland Council's contribution of £1m to the CairnGorm Mountain development was made in recognition of the tremendous local support for the project and the economic benefits to the Highland gateway community. This shows our strong backing for a project which has the potential to be of major economic benefit to Badenoch and Strathspey and the wider Highlands."

"I am also delighted to say that a substantial part of the Highland Council's contribution has gone towards the creation of an environmental interpretation exhibition in the Ptarmigan which not only informs but also educates visitors about this unique and wonderful area."

Already the Ptarmigan's panoramic restaurant has been the venue for a spectacular wedding as well as a major sports award dinner, and next Friday (14th June), CairnGorm Mountain will play host to a special Monarch Country Gala Dinner when Oscar-winning writer and actor Julian Fellowes will be the guest speaker. Members of the cast from the BBC's highly successful 'Monarch of the Glen' series will also be in attendance for a dinner in aid of mountain rescue and The Variety Club of Great Britain.

Morrison Construction was the main building contractor and both the base station and the Ptarmigan were designed by Unwin Jones (Architects, Carlisle).

Among the many who attended the opening ceremony was His Excellency Herr Bruno Spinner, the Swiss Ambassador to the United Kingdom whose presence underlined the involvement of several Swiss companies - Doppelmayr; Frey; and Gangloff - in the construction stages, particularly in building the funicular railway.

Said Hamish Swan: "The most important fact about this opening is that, in partnership with many others, some Scots, some Swiss, some English, we have delivered a high quality product on time, within budget and to the high standard expected. CairnGorm Mountain, and its partners, have given tourism across the Highlands, and particularly within Monarch Country, a massive boost and we plan to deliver a quality experience to everyone who visits us."

Useful links

CairnGorm Mountain

Scottish Natural Heritage

The Highland Council