Glencoe Mountain gets community enterprise status

The organisation behind Glencoe Mountain, the ski centre at the head of Glencoe, has become a Community Interest Company. This means that it will become a not for profit organisation and will be able to bid for public, European and Lottery furnding. All future profits will be re-invested in future developments at the site, which also offers mountain bike trails using the chairlift and archery during the summer months.

Last year, Glencoe Mountain, was bought by Falkirk businessman, Andy Meldrum, amid worries that it might have to close altogether due to ageing equipment and the difficulty of making the centre pay. At the time Mr Meldrum told Scotland on Sunday that the ski centre would need a “seven-figure” investment to turn it into a year round resort which could make money.

Community Interest Companies (CICs) are becoming increasingly popular in Scotland with a number of small community companies being formed to take over rural shops, petrol stations, and even to run community windfarms. The Skye Ferry Company is such a CIC and has to plough any profits back into the business rather than issuing dividends to shareholders.

Glencoe Mountain, which opened in 1956, was Scotland’s first commercial ski centre, but has been dogged by financial concerns in recent years. It has 19 runs and 7 lifts, but much of the infrastructure is 40 to 50 years old and in need of a complete overhaul. In addition the relatively short season and distance from the central belt means it has struggled to attract the number of winter skier’s to make it financially viable.

Future developments are thought to include plans for walker’s accommodation geared to those bagging the Glencoe peaks as well as people walking the West Highland Way.