Highlands and Islands MSP, Edward Mountain has today called on the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Tourism to address the serious failings at Cairngorm Mountain, following the publication of an Audit Scotland report.
Edward Mountain is a vocal campaigner for a long-term and sustainable business plan for the Cairngorm Mountain resort.
Last year, Edward Mountain made a written request to a Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PAPLS) Committee to investigate the use of public money at the Cairngorm Mountain resort.
Edward Mountain cited the following findings from the Audit Scotland report as areas of deep concern:
- Para 31: “there were contrasting views on CML’s repair responsibilities in relation to the funicular railway infrastructure.”
- Para 41: “CML did not meet the minimum spending requirement in any of the four years of NAIL’s ownership.”
- Para 79: “HIE has had to step in to take over operations at Cairngorm Mountain twice in the space of ten years. This raises serious questions about the sustainability of the business operating under the current model.”
Edward Mountain MSP commented:
“I have always campaigned for the holistic use of Cairngorm Mountain which would ensure that all groups are included.
The Auditor General’s report has made it clear that the current business model for the mountain doesn’t work.
As the report stated, HIE have had to step in twice in ten years and it also appears the public agency did not understand its own lease with Cairngorm Mountain Limited.
If this level of incompetence took place in private practice then it would lead to questions of professional misconduct.
Serious remedies are now needed and Fergus Ewing must take action as soon as possible.”
