Ministerial visits to Cairngorm Mountain regarding the funicular railway: FOI release

Information requested

A list of official ministerial visits to Cairngorm Mountain pertaining to the funicular between 2018 - when it broke down - to the present day and the minutes from any meetings held involving ministers during or surrounding visits.

Response

There were two Ministerial visits to Cairngorm Mountain pertaining to the Funicular between 2018 and December 2024:

• 10 May 2019 - Meeting with Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL) - Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy
• 28 August 2023 - Engagement visit to Cairngorm Mountain - Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy

I enclose a copy of the minutes to the above meetings.

Exemptions under sections 33(1)(b) and 38)1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.

Section 33(1)(b) - information that would (or would be likely to) prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person or organisation

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open and transparent government, and to help account for the expenditure of public money. However, there is a greater public interest in withholding this information as releasing this would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of HIE – specifically creating a disadvantage in future tendering exercises and other procurement.

Section 38(1)(b) - Personal data of third parties e.g. names, email addresses and phone numbers

This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

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FOI 202400445753 - Information released - Annex

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