I have some photographic records taken on Cairngorm from 1959 to 1964, after which I emigrated to Western Canada. In 1964 I spent half a season working for Frith Finlayson in the ski hire and repair side.I was a Canadian Ski Patrolman from 1970 t0 1975.
I can review thes photos and scan them if to feel that this will add to the archive.

David Elliott

Hi David and welcome to the forum. It would be great if you can find the time to scan in old photos, there is so many untold stories and unknown photos and bits of information about Scottish Skiing, the more that can be archived and made accessible the better.

As well as a historical interest point of view, building up a more complete photo archive will help for the future as well, it allows changes made over the years to be monitored for their effect on changing patterns of snow accumulation. I'd be very interested in photos of Coire Cas, particularly the Gunbarrel area. I'm sure the construction of the Zig Zags to replace the steep lower 105 as the main hill track in the 70s and subsequently ever higher fencing of the Zig Zags is badly affecting the Gunbarrel by preventing a lot of snow that in the past reached it, from getting there.

Hi Alan

The last time I visited Aviemore was the late 1965 season when I worked for Frith Finlayson. I am not sure what you are referring to as the Gunbarrel area. When I was there there were 2 vicious hair pin bends in the road which caused problems. Is this the location in which case I have no photos. I will look further into what I have, most are around the White Lady.

Is there a files section for this? Are attachments permited or should I put the scanned photos in here?

David

You can add attachments to the forum provided their not to large or alternatively email them to me at pix2009@winterhighland.info and I can upload them and link them into a new thread on this part of the forum.

Gunbarrel being the lower third of the run the Coire Cas T-bar goes up. Are you referring to the hair pins in the public access road? These were by-passed in the 70s with a single wide sweeping hairpin and long steady climb. Since then in the 80s the road was modified again, with a new one way system put in place using the 70s road as a down road.

Ah, looking up the T bar from the base station the T bar is on the right and the 'GunBarrel' to the left, Now I remember it.

Have to go look for photos!

What sort of hours are you keeping? its 5:32pm Wednesday here!

David

Alan

Did you get my pictures?

To all

Next 5

Next 5, all taken, I think New year 1964



Edited 1 times. Last edit at 20.31hrs Sat 7 Feb 09 by DavidElliott.

fantastic photos - nice to see some history - cheers

Yes, thanks for posting these photos. I was only a wee chap at the time, but I think winter 1963/64 was particularly wintry. At least in the west, where I was growing up back then.

The photos of old lifts, road, buildings and folk hiking to the summit are great. But I specially loved the old motors in snow outside the hotel, because I remember growing up with those models of car. - How on earth folk got them through the drifts, I don't know. But it shows how much of an expedition it was in the past, just to get up to the snow...then start hiking bits of it too.