A Second Gondola For Scotland

Nevis Range, which runs the mountain resort close to Britain’s highest mountain and the Scottish West Coast town of Fort William, has partnered with The Dunoon Project to create a world-class outdoor adventure resort in Dunoon.

The Dunoon Project was launched as an innovative idea by the local community, which is located further down the coast and west of Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow, with a focus on turning the struggling town’s fortunes around.

At the heart of the multi-million-pound plans are a state-of-the-art mountain gondola, the first of its kind in the region, which will provide unparalleled access to Scotland’s spectacular landscapes and unlocking Dunoon’s full potential as a global adventure tourism hub, the project’s backers say.

The project will feature a full-service base station with a bike shop, bike hire, retail outlets, and multiple restaurants, along with a top-station café, delivering a truly iconic visitor experience. There’ll also be a hotel designed for bikers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts, with direct access to trails and gondola transport.

There’ll also be a Panoramic Café at the Summit, Elite Mountain Biking Trails designed by Nevis Range’s expert trail builders, with downhill, enduro, and cross-country tracks; a variety of walking trails, guided nature hikes, and exploration routes, suitable for all ages and abilities as well as Zip Lines, Climbing Areas & Adventure Park.

No timescale has been published for when the new facility will be built and open.

“By combining Nevis Range’s three decades of expertise in sustainable adventure tourism, mountain sports infrastructure, and international travel trade partnerships with Dunoon’s incredible natural setting and connectivity to Scotland’s major cities, this collaboration will establish a benchmark for world-class adventure tourism in Scotland,” a statement from the partners claims, adding, “Dunoon is an untapped jewel in Scotland’s adventure landscape, with its stunning topography, proximity to Glasgow and Edinburgh, and ideal conditions for outdoor recreation. Now, for the first time, a transformational investment in infrastructure will enable Dunoon to compete with the world’s leading mountain destinations.”

Nevis Range’s existing mountain gondola attracts over 250,000 visitors per year—proving that this model can drive year-round growth, the company says, adding that hundreds of jobs created across tourism, hospitality, and outdoor industries.

Chris O’Brien, Managing Director of Nevis Range, said: “Dunoon has always had the potential to be a world-class adventure tourism destination. With the construction of the gondola, we’re unlocking that potential and creating something truly extraordinary. We’ve seen first-hand how infrastructure like this can transform an area, and Dunoon will now be at the forefront of adventure tourism in Scotland.”