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All the United Kingdom Scotland Highland CairnGorm Mountain Railway
AO Edited

CairnGorm Mountain Railway

Scotland's only funicular railway is also the United Kingdom's highest.

Highland, Scotland

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b3725
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The funicular.   Peter
Funicular cars meet.   b3725 / Atlas Obscura User
The funicular.   DS Pugh
The railway.   Pharma Mike
The tracks in winter.   William Warby
The beautiful view from the train.   David Monniaux
View from the railway.   b3725 / Atlas Obscura User
Funicular.   FraserAnderson12
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About

Scotland’s only funicular railway ferries winter sport enthusiasts and summertime explorers up the steep slopes of CairnGorm Mountain. On a (somewhat rare) clear day, passengers are rewarded with sprawling vistas of the country’s famously enchanting scenery.

The railway, which is also the highest funicular in the United Kingdom, opened to the public in 2001. It replaced a chairlift system that was deemed too vulnerable to the strong winds that so often whip through the mountain range.

In the winter, the funicular ushers skiers up the mountain, where they’re then free to set off down the slopes. It stays open in the summer, too, and carts people up to the Ptarmigan Restaurant for a dining experience at over 3,500 feet above sea level. Hillwalkers who’ve made the trek to the upper station on foot can rest their weary legs and take the funicular back down to the base of the mountain.

Update as of 2023: The funicular has reopened after a refurbishment.

Related Tags

Funicular Railroads Mountains Transportation
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b3725

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Carnival, LucasJV, MrCarl, jooniur...

  • Carnival
  • LucasJV
  • MrCarl
  • jooniur
  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

June 4, 2018

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  • https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/cairngorm-mountain-p990431
CairnGorm Mountain Railway
CairnGorm Mountain
Highland, Scotland
United Kingdom
57.134933, -3.679681
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Nearby Places

Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

Highland, Scotland

miles away

Frank Bruce Sculpture Trail

Feshiebridge, Scotland

miles away

Old Packhorse Bridge

Carrbridge, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Highland

Highland

Scotland

Places 22

Nearby Places

Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

Highland, Scotland

miles away

Frank Bruce Sculpture Trail

Feshiebridge, Scotland

miles away

Old Packhorse Bridge

Carrbridge, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Highland

Highland

Scotland

Places 22

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