Cairngorm’s beloved funicular railway is set for a short spring pause as it undergoes essential maintenance and finishing touches to long-running structural improvements.
From Monday 12 May to Monday 2 June 2025, the track will fall silent while engineers and contractors get to work both above and below the rails.
This spring window marks a change from the usual November shutdown, a strategic move by Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd to reduce disruption and align efforts with Balfour Beatty’s return to the slopes.
The in-house team at CMSL will focus on rail grinding, gearbox repairs, and a full suite of tests including weld inspections and lubrication of the undercarriage.
Meanwhile, Balfour Beatty, working for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, will resume their programme of remediation on the viaduct, targeting longevity with small but vital improvements.
Their tasks include reinforcing joints and applying protective materials to prevent weathering — actions designed to future-proof the structure that carries passengers up the mountain’s heart.
The work is expected to stretch into early summer evenings, with longer daylight hours helping speed progress before the funicular roars back into service in June.
Though the railway will take a break, the mountain certainly won’t.
Visitors can look forward to daily adventures with the much-loved ball runs open every day and weekend thrills on the tubing slides and the ‘Jumping Pillow’ in the lively playpark.
Keen cyclists will be delighted as the upper mountain bike trails are now complete, with the full park set to welcome riders from 12 May, weather permitting.
The Base Station and Day Lodge will stay open seven days a week, serving up warm drinks, hearty bites, and mountain essentials at the Cairngorm Café and Mountain Shop between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm.
Bookings for the funicular from 2 June through to October are now live, and updates on summer favourites like mountain carting and guided summit walks are just around the corner.
The funicular only recently returned to service in February, following a spell out of action since August 2023 while major safety checks and essential upgrades were completed.
HIE confirmed at the time that additional work would return in spring when visitor numbers tend to ease, making this upcoming phase an ideal time to carry out non-urgent improvements.
With the finishing touches now planned, the mountain’s signature railway is set to be stronger, safer, and ready for many more years of scenic climbs and snowy descents.
In the meantime, the mountain remains as welcoming as ever — inviting families, adventurers, and wanderers to come and enjoy the fresh air, friendly faces, and the spirit of the Highlands.
