Cas car park will remain open - and free - this winter

Walkers, climbers and skiers have been assured that every effort will be made to keep road access open to the Coire Cas car park on Cairn Gorm this winter.

And parking will be free throughout the season.

Mountaineering Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Younie, wrote to Highlands & Islands Enterprise earlier this week seeking reassurances that road and car park would be kept accessible following the news that ski resort operators CairnGorm Mountain Ltd had gone into administration.

Chief Executive Charlotte Wright quickly responded to say: “HIE and the new company, Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd is doing all it can to prepare the resort for winter snow sports and that indeed focusses on the road being open and accessible for users of the Mountain.”

She added: “The technical team on-site are working hard to ensure that the appropriate snow clearing equipment is available for road clearing. We are also looking to strengthen the resources with additional plant.”

And she confirmed that the compulsory car parking charges, announced earlier this year by CairnGorm Mountain Ltd, would not apply during the winter snow sports season.

The funicular railway on Cairn Gorm has been out of action since October because of a structural problem.

CairnGorm Mountain Ltd was placed into administration last month due to "unsustainable cash-flow problems". Its parent company, Natural Retreats, had a 25-year lease to run the site near Aviemore. Staff and other assets will transfer to the new company, which will trade as Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited. HIE has said the new company will honour season tickets purchased for this winter season.