Natural Retreat's management of Cairngorm resort labelled 'shambles'

Highlands and Islands Scottish Green Party MSP John Finnie has described the running of CairnGorm Mountain in recent years as a shambles.

Mr Finnie wrote to Highlands and Islands Enterprise in August earlier this year raising a number of concerns over the operation in light of the considerable public money invested in the site.

He said this was not the first time he has raised extensive concerns with the enterprise agency which owns the attraction.

Mr Finnie has submitted a number of parliamentary questions at Holyrood on the matter this afternoon.

The MSP said: “I am deeply disappointed to hear that Cairngorm Mountain Limited has been placed into administration putting jobs, the site and the Badenoch and Strathspey economy in peril. I have repeatedly raised concerns with HIE about the running of Cairngorm Mountain.

“HIE has invested significant public monies in the site, yet it is unclear how, if at all, this has benefitted the local community.

“Now that the operator Natural Retreats has tucked its tail between its legs and headed off into the wilderness, it is vital the HIE pulls out all the stops to save local jobs, and ensure that all future investment benefits the local economy.”

Badenoch and Strathspey MP Drew Hendry (SNP) said: “This is obviously a very significant development and I met with the chair of HIE yesterday to discuss the situation.

“I am confident that all that can be done, is being done, to ensure a smooth transition period.

“Our priority must be to support employees through this process, and get the business stabilised as quickly as possible.

“Whilst there will be difficult times over the next few weeks, I anticipate it to be the start of a better times for the resort and we now have the opportunity to work together to ensure it realises its potential.

“The community will be key to achieving this, and I will be working with HIE and others to ensure local residents have active role in the future development of the mountain.”

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant said: “The community has raised serious concerns about the running of the resort under Cairngorm Mountain Ltd and Natural Retreats over a long period of time and I am sure they will feel tremendously let down that it has come to this.

“It’s now important that HIE is allowed to step in to give stability and to ensure that the remaining staff are paid at this difficult time of year with Christmas just around the corner."

Looking further ahead, the MSP said: "The Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust and the Save the Ciste campaign have both been pushing for community ownership of Cairngorm to allow for new developments and expansion.

“The company’s collapse should open the door for a very serious discussion about how local people can take this forward.

“The unknown quantity is the future of the funicular and the cost of repairs and I await that with interest.

"It’s important for the local economy that the resort can still be open for business as soon as possible.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.