Low turn-out for demonstration against public agency’s management of Cairngorm Mountain
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A demonstration over the management of the Cairngorm Mountain resort only attracted a small turn-out but protestors there still hailed it as a useful get-together.
Organiser, ski school worker Mike Marcus, had admitted it was a step into the unknown and was unsure how many people would attend last night at the Coire Cas car park.
But he said he was frustrated that no-one was doing anything about things despite the deep local concern over what was happening at the attraction.
In the end, just 14 folk answered his rallying call to ‘bring signs, noise makers, food and friends’ to show their frustration with Highlands and Islands Enterprises’ management of the resort.
One of those was award-winning outdoors campaigner Dave Morris who told the ‘Strathy’: “There was a small turnout for this protest but it was really useful as those present had expert knowledge on the whole history of the development of downhill skiing on the mountain, its importance for producing medal winning champions as well as detailed knowledge of the engineering and operational failures of the funicular.
“It was excellent that we were on site and able to examine what was wrong with the construction of the funicular and especially the way in which the rail track is connected to the concrete support pillars.
“This is the information that HIE has kept secret from the public and probably the Scottish Government for the last five years.
“But being on site meant that many people in the Aviemore area were too scared to go to Coire Cas because of HIE’s well known intimidation of those who disagree with it.
“Nobody who has any connection to business interests in Badenoch and Strathspey would risk being seen in Coire Cas and upsetting HIE with the inevitable consequence that their future need of grant support from HIE would be compromised.”
Mr Marcus said: “I understand that there are some organisations who are trying hard to address the mismanagement of Cairngorm Mountain but unfortunately I think the majority of Aviemore are happy to complain but reluctant to do anything to fix the issue.
“The critical mass just isn’t there.”
An HIE spokesperson said: "We understand and share the sense of disappointment felt by many that the funicular remains out of service at present.
"With the snowsports season over, we’re pleased that Balfour Beatty are again out in force on the mountainside with multiple teams deployed.
"Our aim is to see the funicular back in service for the winter 2024/25 season and we’ll issue updates when there is more to report."
Mr Marcus had delivered flyers in and around hundreds of homes in the Aviemore area to promote the demo which got under way at 6.30pm.
He had picked the date specifically to co-incide with the Kinder Scout trespass protest - near his home town - in the Peak District in Derbyshire held on the same day in 1932.
Walkers then took action en-masse after long being denied access to open countryside which had been fenced off by wealthy landowners who forbade public passage.
