First Minister John Swinney says HIE to stay as Cairngorm funicular managers despite £25m bill for still broken railway as MSP Edward Mountain demands an inquiry into ‘nearly six years of incompetence’
First Minister John Swinney has rejected a call to ditch Highlands and Islands Enterprise as managers of the Cairngorm funicular despite the £25 million bill for broken down railway that remains broken down.
Highland MSP Edward Mountain demanded an inquiry during First Minister’s Question in Holyrood saying the loss of “millions of pounds” on the project is down to an HIE “fiasco” after “nearly six years of incompetence”.
The railway was originally due to reopen at the start of the 2024 season but that was put back to four times, twice in December then January and February but it remains closed and out of use.
But Mr Swinney refused to budge on the issue saying HIE enjoys his “utmost confidence” and so he has “absolutely no intention of pursuing the approach suggested by Mr Mountain”.
Responding to that, Mr Mountain said afterwards: “My constituents are rightly outraged that the Cairngorm Funicular railway is still closed and will be as equally outraged at the First Minster’s disinterest in the impact this is having on the local economy.
“The local economy relies on the railway being open to encourage visitors to come and enjoy the area. Its role in generating income for local businesses cannot be understated.
“I was astonished that the First Minister did not even acknowledge the impact to the businesses who use the mountain and indeed to the businesses in the wider area. There needs to be conversations with culpable parties for the ongoing issues, to make sure that losses that businesses have incurred are properly compensated.
“Again, today I called for an inquiry to be called so that a proper and thorough investigation can be held into the sheer incompetence of Highlands and Islands Enterprise. It is more than disappointing that the First Minister wouldn’t even consider this.
“We also need to start a proper dialogue on how the management of the Mountain is going to be taken forward, because it is clear that the current system is not working.”
