The highly controversial Cairngorm furnicular has now been completed and is awaiting the go-ahead from HM Railways Inspectorate before it can open to the public. The furnicular operators hope that this will be given before Christmas although there is till currently not enough snow to allow ski-ing. The day lodge has already re-opened to the public.
The furnicular has caused a storm since its inception, with several groups pointing out the potential for irreversible environmental damage, not least the Mountaineering Council of Scotland. Last January a BBC Watchdog programme investigated the furnicular and reported it as environmentally questionable and a poor use of public funds. The plans also attracted criticism from environmentalists David Attenborough and David Bellamy. As the process of construction went on over the summer months the noise of opposition increased, and there was even a boycott of Aviemore businesses reported in the regional press, though this had no connection with the MC of Scotland.
The furnicular is aimed at 'in and out by the coach-load' tourism. Given that non-ski-ing visitors will be corralled in a fenced enclusure once up the furnicular, it seems unlikely that it will be much use to walkers and climbers.
Environmental issues aside, the worst proposals for climbers and walkers would have seen them having to pay huge sums to use the car park , which gives easy access to the mountain and climbing in the northern corriess. These proposals have now been dropped in the face of so much opposition, but the operators have reserved the right to re-introduce them at a later stage.
It's finally open, but will the £15 million development make any difference to you and what does it look like anyway?
