Highlands and Islands Enterprise take over Cairngorm winter sports resort
SCOTLAND’S top winter sports resort is back in the hands of a government agency after its operator went into administration.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) yesterday said it would take over operations at Cairngorm Mountain with immediate effect.
HIE owns Cairngorm Estate – which includes the area’s funicular railway –and had leased the resort to Cairngorm Mountain Limited (CML), which went into administration on November 29.
The agency established a new subsidiary and has now reached agreement with the joint administrators, Blair Milne and Derek Forsyth, partners with Campbell Dallas, to acquire the business and assets of CML.
Staff and other assets will transfer to the new company, which will trade as Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited. The new company will honour season tickets purchased for this winter season.
The cost of the sale to HIE will be disclosed in January once the administration process is complete.
HIE has contracted support from accountancy firm, Scott Moncrieff, to include a business turnaround specialist as interim chief executive to run the firm until the end of March – which will take it through the vital winter sports season.
Charlotte Wright, HIE chief executive, said engagement with local business and community groups will continue to be important going forward.
She added:”we are very pleased to have worked with the administrators to achieve a really positive outcome from a highly challenging situation. The deal that we’ve reached will protect jobs and bring stability to the business, which plays an important role in the wider local economy.
“The immediate focus of the new operating company is to ensure the best possible experience for visitors this winter, particularly while the funicular is inactive, and bring some stability for staff and local businesses that rely on Cairngorm. This includes operating the new snowmaking equipment and ski tows, as well as catering and facilities at the base station.”
Blair Milne, joint administrator and business recovery partner with Campbell Dallas said: “We are pleased to have secured an early sale of CML. The deal ensures continuity of operations and employment at Cairngorm Mountain and we would like to thank all parties for their support as we worked towards securing a sale.”