The Cairngorm Mountain Railway is the highest railway in the UK. (Image: Cairngorm Mountain Railway)
Who doesn’t love a good , especially when it comes with breathtaking mountain views? While countries like and are often associated with the most , the UK has its own unique , albeit a much shorter one. But what it lacks in length, it makes up for in altitude – this is the highest mountain railway in Britain.
The , which climbs to 1,097m above sea level, has officially reopened after years of delays and costly repairs. The funicular, located near , resumed service on February 27, 2025, following a £25 million refurbishment.
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The railway opened recently following a 7-year closure. (Image: Cairngorm Mountain Railway)
Scotland’s only funicular railway runs 1.2 miles (2km) from the base station to the Ptarmigan Top Station, taking just five to eight minutes to reach the summit.
It had been out of service since 2018 due to structural issues, apart from a brief reopening in January 2023, before closing again in August for further work.
Tim Hurst, the interim chief executive of , welcomed the return of the railway, saying: “The Cairngorm Mountain team are overjoyed to be welcoming customers onto the funicular railway once more.
“Following confirmation from our parent company, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the railway has been handed over to us at CMSL to operate once more.”
He added: “We recognise how critical the railway is, not only to our entire team here at CMSL but to all our customers and to many businesses in the local and regional area. We would like to thank all our visitors for their patience whilst remediation took place.”
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The railway climbs to 1,097m above sea level. (Image: Cairngorm Mountain Railway)
The journey up the Cairngorm Mountain has spectacular views of the Scottish Highlands, Loch Morlich, and, if lucky, a glimpse of the Cairngorm reindeer herd.
At the summit, visitors will find the UK’s highest restaurant, The Ptarmigan, as well as a gin bar and a viewing terrace.
More attractions are set to open in the coming weeks, including a 270-degree immersive film experience, an exhibition space, interactive sandboxes, and a gift shop.
However, with the restaurant currently offering a reduced menu, return ticket prices have been temporarily discounted.
- Adult return tickets, usually priced at £22, are now £17
- Children’s tickets, reduced from £12.50 to £9.50
- Single tickets for walkers and climbers heading down are available from the top station for £11 (adults) and £6.25 (juniors)
- Dogs are allowed on board for £2 per ride
The journey up the Cairngorm Mountain has spectacular views of the Scottish Highlands. (Image: Cairngorm Mountain Railway)
David Oxley, the Director of Strategic Projects at , admitted that getting the funicular back in service had taken longer than expected.
“Clearly, it has taken longer than we had hoped to get to this position, but the return of the funicular is a watershed moment for Cairngorm Mountain and its many loyal visitors,” he said.
He added: “Cairngorm Mountain plays an important role as a prime Scottish visitor attraction and a driver of economic activity at the heart of the local community.
“With the return of the funicular, people across a huge range of ages and abilities will again be able to experience this wonderful mountain environment not only in winter but every season.”
Tickets for the railway can be booked .