Public Audit Committee scrutiny of Cairngorm funicular railway

The Committee's report has been published today (Tuesday 24 February) on a dedicated page on the parliament's website.

As the owner and custodian of the 3,500 acre Cairngorm Estate that includes the ski area and wider mountain resort, HIE has responded with the following statement:

"We were pleased to support the Committee in their scrutiny of the Cairngorm funicular railway and welcome this detailed report. Key conclusions from the Committee include recommendations to simplify governance structures for running the funicular and improve the availability of information, and we will reflect and act on both of these points.

"Along with our colleagues in operating company Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd, which is a subsidiary of HIE, we are working hard to overcome the challenges of recent years and establish Cairngorm once again as one of Scotland's must-visit attractions for families, nature lovers and snowsports visitors.

"The resort has enjoyed a huge surge of popularity since the funicular returned to service, attracting 122,000 foot passengers since April 2025, plus a further 28,000 skiers taking advantage of the excellent snow conditions this winter.

"We are always conscious of the need to obtain value for money in all our projects across the Highlands and Islands. As a publicly-owned asset for Scotland, Cairngorm is no exception.

"With the funicular back, strong leadership and management in place through the operating company and strategic guidance set out in the Cairngorm Masterplan, we believe the resort is now in a great position to achieve its full potential.

"The challenge is to make the current winter season the start of a new and successful chapter that will see Cairngorm affirm its place as a strong contributor to the economy of Strathspey and Badenoch and the wider Scottish tourism sector."