Despite criticism from environmentalists in the past, the Cairngorm ski centre is under an avalanche of praise.

The Scotsman this weekend reported that the resort has won a gold standard recognition by the Green Tourism Business Scheme for its "excellence in environmental practice".

Earlier this month, Cairngorm beat 200 other resorts to win the Golden Ski award for the most improved European ski resort by the Good Skiing and Snowboarding Guide, published by Which? magazine.

It is the first time a British resort has won a Golden Ski and was largely thanks to the £15 million funicular railway which saw the centre in conflict with environmentalists.

The latest award follows an audit covering management issues such as energy saving, waste minimisation and disposal, transport, purchasing and communications, as well as wildlife and landscape.

Conflict with environmentalists

However, environmental groups questioned the award and are to raise with VisitScotland the question of how the resort was chosen.

Bill Wright, a campaigner with Scottish Environment Link, said: "Green tourism is about exposing people to the environment so they can feel the wind in their hair and the earth beneath their feet. How VisitScotland can square that with taking people up the mountain in what is effectively a cage to what is effectively another cage defeats me."

[Story from The Scotsman]

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