HIE and the Construction Company

5.Mountaineering Council of Scotland

Page 11

There are even those who initially supported and were involved with the plan who have been appalled at the environmental degradation. Fiona Watson, environmental adviser to HIE, was quoted in 1999 as saying "I am resigning as environmental adviser because I have lost faith in HIE as responsible owners… By their foolish, arrogant acts of official vandalism to the hill, HIE has forfeited credibility as a good land steward"

And what of the cosy relationship between HIE and the construction company? It was announced in 2000 that the chief executive of HIE was to step down from his position to take up the post of chairman at the construction company who would build the funicular. He was approached by the current chairman of the construction company who was a former chairman of HIE. This is the same construction company that was awarded the contract to build the funicular!

Some have claimed that the relationship between HIE and the construction company was not appropriate.

Construction on the Cairngorm