Managing club: Highland Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · Access: restricted
Site briefing
Planning information for Cairngorm
About this flying site
The Cairngorms are home to five of the six highest mountains in Scotland and form the highest area of extended mountain plateau in the whole of the British Isles, stretching some 30km from Braemar in the east to Aviemore in the west and 25 km from north to south. Because of the extent and altitude of this mountain range, the climate and vegetation found on the high plateau is semi arctic in nature, weather conditions can change very quickly and the summer season feels very short.
Cairngorm mountain itself is something of a honeypot, with tourists, skiers and climbers drawn to the Cairngorm Mountain Ski Centre and the surrounding corries which have been made easily accessible by the ski centre access road. However, despite the ugliness of the ski complex, at 1245m, the summit of Cairngorm is a great place to take off and the ski runs do make for a relatively easy walk up.
In contrast to Scotland’s other ski centre’s, at the time of writing, it’s unlikely that you’ll be allowed onto the lifts or funicular railway with a paraglider. However, the walk up to the Ski Centre Top Station (Ptarmigan Station) isn’t too bad and there are a range of take off options between the top station and the summit.
It is believed that the Cairngorm Mountain access policy is soon to be reviewed and some hints that pilots may in the future be granted access to the funicular railway have been made - so maybe the situation will improve.
Take-off
The plateau is reached easily from the Coire Cas carpark by following the main track up through the main ski runs. A slightly more strenuous, but far more pleasant approach is to follow the path which leads from the car park up the ridge bounding the east side of Coire Cas (Sron an Aonaich). Upon reaching the Ptarmigan Top Station, numerous launch options can be found. Some of the cleanest takeoffs lie just above the Ptarmigan Station, where there are some areas of short grass that are free of rocks and scree.
Those seeking a more tranquil experience may wish to consider walking north east from the Ptarmigan Station for about 1km, across the plateau to Cnap Coire na Spreidhe (1151m ) from where it’s possible to fly into the much quieter Coire na Ciste. Here the plateau drops away quite gently to begin with, but launch sites can be found (considerably easier when covered with firm snow!).
Landing
Bottom landing is possible around either the main Coire Cas carpark, or in the ski centre overflow car park. If landing in the carpark, bear in mind that it has a slight, but deceptive, downhill gradient and very gravely surface.
Access and parking
Access-agreement site — coordination with the landowner/ATC is required before flying; contact the Highland club for current arrangements.
There is currently no access to Cairngorm via the funicular.
The Highland Club is currently in discussion with the relevant bodies over possible future access. In the meantime pedestrian access is open to all, but please act responsibly and try to avoid entering conservation areas (anything outside of Coire Cas or Coire Ciste).
Local weather notes
The Cairngorms are definitely not a place to consider flying on anything other than a calm day and Cairngrom itself is best flown on a very light North Westerly or nil wind forecast.
Flight rules
Airspace restrictions are unlikely to be an issue for any pilot launching from Cairngorm unless flying as far as Kinloss/ Lossiemouth to the North, or Aberdeen in the East! However it is worth bearing in mind the gliding club operations just to the south at Feshiebridge
Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.