How Scotland’s Unbuilt Road Shaped the Future of Nevis Range
Image Name: The Proposed Road of Scotland
Forty years ago, engineers faced a significant challenge: how to make the ski slopes on Aonach Mòr, the eighth-highest mountain in Britain, more accessible. The local community had enjoyed skiing on the 1,221m (4,006ft) mountain near Fort William since the 1930s. Between the late 1960s and early 1980s, the potential economic benefits of the area’s snowsports were examined, leading to the development of what is now known as the Nevis Range. However, one major problem was how to get people close to the ski runs. In 1984, a road was proposed, but the project never came to fruition.
The Proposed Road: A Technical Challenge
Former Highland Regional Council divisional roads engineer John Hutchison recalls the ambitious road plan. Laid out on a long sheet of paper, the technical drawing depicted a road climbing from 100m to 640m, zigzagging up the steep slope with 14 hairpins, also known as switchbacks. The proposed road was almost five miles (8km) long, and developers hoped the local authority would undertake its construction.
Concerns about winter conditions played a significant role in the decision not to proceed with the road. Hutchison notes, “My concern was trying to keep it open in the morning to let the skiers get in.” The experiences of operators at the Cairngorms ski centre, near Aviemore, provided a cautionary tale. That site, now known as the CairnGorm Mountain resort, is accessed by a steep road with two large sweeping bends. Operators there often spent two to three hours clearing the road with a snowplow before customers could arrive.
Alternative Solutions: The Gondola System
Nevis Range designers were asked to rethink their strategy. A shorter route to a base station at 100m (328ft) was constructed instead of the long, zigzag road, and a gondola system was developed to carry visitors to a top station at 650m (2,132ft) up the mountain. This approach proved to be a long-term success for the resort as well as more practical access is made possible.
Nevis Range: A Hub for Snowsports and Mountain Biking
Nevis Range celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019. Besides its renowned snowsports facilities, the centre has become a prominent venue for mountain biking, hosting stages of a mountain bike world cup competition. Hutchison suggests that sticking with the original road plan could have jeopardized the future of Nevis Range. “The land that this road would have occupied, zigzagging back and forth, is the same land used today for the downhill mountain bikes,” he explains. “So the mountain biking might not have happened.”
Economic and Environmental Considerations
Building the gondola system instead of the road has had long-lasting environmental and financial advantages. The shorter road and gondola mix lessened the environmental impact on the mountain and the protected ground is now vital for other uses. Furthermore, the gondola system has shown to be a dependable and quick way of mobility, even in difficult winter weather, therefore assuring that the resort is open all year long.
Reflecting on the Past
Looking back, Hutchison is glad the road never was developed. Though bold, the first idea would have faced many difficulties and maybe hampered the growth of other events that have become essential for Nevis Range’s success. Choosing a gondola system shows a forward-looking attitude that balances environmental and financial factors with access needs.
Ranging Nevis
Nevis Range now shows the careful planning and creative thinking that went into its growth. People come from all over the town because it has great facilities for snow sports and a lively mountain bike culture. Still one of the resort’s best features, the lift system makes sure it can work all year and makes it easy to get to the slopes.
While also looking to the future, Nevis Range keeps building on the foundations of the early decisions made about planning. It’s important to think about all aspects—economic, environmental, and practical—when building infrastructure in difficult areas, as shown by the resort’s success. The unbuilt road is a reminder of the plans that made this area one of the best places in Scotland for snow sports and other outdoor activities.
Ultimately, the story of Scotland’s unfinished road to Aonach Mòr highlights the decisions and problems that have shaped the Nevis Range’s growth. Choosing to build a gondola system instead of a long and complicated road ensured that the resort would be around for a long time. Because of this decision, Nevis Range has grown and become a center for snow sports and mountain biking. It is also becoming an increasingly important part of Scotland’s outdoor scene. Lessons learned in the early stages of planning will always be important for the resort’s success as it grows.
For more information, visit BBC’s comprehensive article
