Above, looking down towards the passing loop and middle station at Shieling. The middle station only operates during the winter sports season.

Below, the final 250 metres towards the top station is in a cut and cover tunnel. The car is about to enter the tunnel. The reflection in the window gives a useful indication of what the car's controls are like, although the cars are normally controlled from a staffed control room in the top station.

Above, a car arriving at the top station - also named after an item of local wildlife, the Ptarmigan. As a condition of its planning consent, to help preserve the delicate environment at the top of the mountain, outside of the winter sports season users of the railway are not permitted to leave the Ptarmigan Base.If you want to stroll around the top of the mountain during the summer you have to walk all the way up, though you can purchase a ticket at the top station to ride back down!

It is said that on the clearest of days you can see Ben Nevis from Ptarmigan Base. The day of our visit was bright, sunny and clear - though the wind at the top was strong enough to blow a hat off your head (and in my case did!) - but there was just enough haze to prevent Ben Nevis being visible.

Below, note the control room to the left and the raked four door entry to the car.