New support programme launched for food and drink sector
Food and Drink TechHUB will provide financial and advice support to help businesses, including social and community enterprises, with commercial growth and net zero transition activities.
Make your life easier with a MyHIE account. It’ll save you time, help you find and organise content based on your needs and interests.
NEWS RELEASE ISSUED JOINTLY BY HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE AND BALFOUR BEATTY
With the snowsports season now over, multiple teams from contractor Balfour Beatty, appointed by Cairngorm Estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), are set to be deployed on the mountainside.
A prime area of focus will be hundreds of ‘scarf joints’ linking beams and piers along the 1.7km viaduct. These were installed as part of a major reinstatement programme that ran for just over two years from November 2020.
In addition, testing is under way on tensioning works to beams and diaphragms that were also installed as part of the reinstatement programme and remedial action will be taken as required.
The funicular was initially withdrawn over safety concerns in October 2018, but came back into service in January 2023.
In August of that year, however, the service was again stopped after several scarf joints were found to be below the specified tension.
Hector MacAulay MBE, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Regional business in Scotland, said: “We are working hard to complete this programme of remedial works as quickly as possible, deploying multiple teams simultaneously to safely reinstate this unique attraction and resume service before the next winter snowsports season.”
Stuart Black, Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “Balfour Beatty’s commitment to concluding these important works over the coming months is very welcome.
“This is still a challenging period for Cairngorm and we want to thank all the loyal supporters who continue to visit and enjoy all that the mountain estate has to offer throughout the year while work is ongoing to bring the funicular back.”
The funicular viaduct is essentially a series of 94 linked bridges of varying heights, supporting a railway that ascends Cairn Gorm to an altitude of over 1,000m.
Originally opened in 2001, it operates two carriages carrying visitors between the Cairngorm base station and Ptarmigan building, which houses a restaurant, shop, exhibition and viewing platform.
During winter, it is the main form of uplift to enable skiers and snowboarders to access higher parts of the mountain.
Cairngorm Mountain remains open while the programme of remedial works is under way, offering a range of family-friendly activities and catering choices in a stunning natural environment.
Food and Drink TechHUB will provide financial and advice support to help businesses, including social and community enterprises, with commercial growth and net zero transition activities.
CMSL board member Tim Hurst will become interim chief executive
More than 200 local school pupils will be exploring robotics, mathematics, and space in Grantown-on-Spey thanks to a unique private-public STEM collaboration.
There was support for businesses and social enterprises to lower emissions and improve efficiencies within their operations.
Enterprise agencies welcome Sumitomo milestone as ground is broken on £350m factory project
HIE funding will support the element of the project that focuses specifically on reducing carbon emissions and energy costs.
The Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands exhibition has been created by communities across the region as part of the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands Project.
Green Hive's new machinery boosts income opportunities.
The owners have secured up to £175,900 investment from HIE towards the works, which will help boost annual turnover and support local jobs.
Wednesday 6 March event will help local businesses identify and make the most of new opportunities from the growing cruise ship tourism market.
A community project is under way in Knoydart to improve cycling facilities for visitors and residents.