Cairngorm Mountain

Overview

The Funicular Railway re-opens on 26 January 2023 after a period of major repair work. Cairngorm Mountain Website

Cairngorm Mountain is the main ski area in Scotland. The major attraction here is the Funicular Train that takes visitor from the car park to near the summit of the mountain.

The railway consists of 2 carriages that work in tandem as a counterbalanced arrangement by means of a linking cable. As one carriage descends it helps to pull the other up. At the end of the day when there are more people descending than ascending, the system actually generates electricity for the National Grid!

There is only one railway line, so the carriages cross at the loop at Middle Station. It's fascinating to experience.

As you ascend, the train driver explains the story of the railway and how it all works.

The Base Station, at the bottom, has a Mountain Shop, selling ski equipment 

The main attraction at the top of the railway is the Ptarmigan Restaurant, which offers panoramic views over the Cairn Gorm. It is self-service cafe during the day.

Outwith the Ski season, you cannot get access from the Ptarmigan Restaurant for walks on the Cairn Gorm Mountain. This is a measure to prevent the delicate ecology of the mountain from being damaged by too many walkers. Unfortunately, this means that you don't have a lot to do at the summit other than eat in the cafe and enjoy the view from the balcony.

In the winter, the snow makes it the most popular place in Scotland for skiing, and there is a ski equipment hire facility.

But snow isn't only in the winter - we once visited on the 30th May, and it was snowing at the top!

Worth a visit on clear days when you can enjoy the views westwards to the Monadhliath Mountains.