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Original poster

The Caledonian Sleeper!

37 replies

KindergartenKop · 28/12/2021 20:44

I want to go on the Caledonian Sleeper! I need help working out the rest though, please advise me!

I'd like to go on the train with 7 and 10 year olds and hire a car once there and then drive somewhere interesting (don't want to drive for more than about 90 mins) for a week or so. Does anyone have any suggestions?

OP posts:
Pollaidh · 28/12/2021 21:03

I love the Caledonia Sleeper! Which particular one though (Edinburgh/Glasgow/Inverness/Fort William are main options, IRC)?

There are two beds to each standard class compartment, so you'll need two compartments (one first class (single) and one standard class). It's a heck of a lot more expensive than a French sleeper or train couchette.

Man in Seat 61 is very useful for tips.

If you want to be able to hire a car then I'd suggest Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness. Fort William I'm not sure about for hiring, it'll definitely be limited. I've definitely taken the sleeper up multiple times but usually walked in or hitched lifts to mountains.

What time of year? In winter, unless you're winter mountaineering experience and equipped (ice axe and crampon use, white out navigation etc, and I would not take the 7 year old, keen 10 year old perhaps, and I'm pretty experienced) then Fort William and the Highlands wouldn't be much fun (or safe). Winter conditions are about October-April.

If they're Harry Potter fans you can go from Fort William to Mallaig, either on a normal Scotrail train or take a steam train - it goes over the Glenfinnan Viaduct (where the Dementors attack the train).

Actually the whole Sleeper leg from Glasgow to Fort William is stunning, (or misty, depending on the day). So set an alarm and wake early if taking this route.

Inverness isn't that exciting, especially if it's winter and you're not wanting close access to the mountains.

Edinburgh and Glasgow might be your best bet as there is plenty to do with children in both, within the city. You could then drive over to the other city, or driving 50 mins from Glasgow / 1h40 from Edinburgh would take you to the southern end of the Highlands, around Loch Lomond. A bit touristy, but stuff to do. You won't get much further north, Scottish Highland roads are long-winded (it takes 6 hours drive from Edinburgh to get to the northern Highlands!).

So... what time of year? which city?

TheFoldOx · 28/12/2021 21:05

I was a regular user of the sleeper until a few years ago. Since I last used the service, all the coaches have been replaced with modern stock, which includes some en-suite berths. It's a great way to travel, in my opinion: combining travelling and sleeping is very efficient. The restaurant and bar used to be very good and always felt a bit special.

You may know that thee are two Caledonian Sleeper services - the early departure (the Highland Sleeper, serving Inverness, Aberdeen and Fort William, and the Lowland Sleeper that serves Edinburgh and Glasgow). With the range of destinations and without knowing your interests it's hard to suggest a specific itinerary, but I'd be tempted to travel to Fort William and explore the western Highlands from there. Perhaps get a one-way hire car and travel through the Highlands, returning via Inverness?

santaclothes · 28/12/2021 21:15

You don't need a first class room, you need 2 classics - you get interconnecting doors.

Pollaidh · 28/12/2021 21:26

Yes, sorry it's changed since I last took the Sleeper, but if you want just one person in a classic two berth then you'll probably be paying first class prices. There's no mention of a partner so I'm assuming it's 3 people travelling, so they'll pay a premium for the extra room.

AnnaSW1 · 28/12/2021 21:27

@santaclothes thanks for this info! I was put off when I tonight it would be just 2 of us in a berth. Interconnected berths make it doable

Lifeispassingby · 28/12/2021 21:28

I’ve done this journey (to fort William) several times as a teenager for holidays but have it on my bucket list as it is so wonderful! The morning part of the journey to fort William is absolutely incredible x

Wombat43 · 28/12/2021 21:28

Dylan's Travel Reports on YouTube has good video reviews. He's been on this service.

Original poster
KindergartenKop · 28/12/2021 21:31

Sorry, there are four of us!

I'm thinking about Fort William in August. Is hiring a car tricky from there? Is it possible to splash in the Lochs? We like a bit of a ramble but aren't hikers per se. My son also wants to see Scottish wild cats Hmm

OP posts:
santaclothes · 28/12/2021 21:31

@Pollaidh

Yes, sorry it's changed since I last took the Sleeper, but if you want just one person in a classic two berth then you'll probably be paying first class prices. There's no mention of a partner so I'm assuming it's 3 people travelling, so they'll pay a premium for the extra room.

You don't pay extra at all. You pay per person, not per room.

Northernsoullover · 28/12/2021 21:33

I'm wanting to do this for my 50th next year too.

Lifeispassingby · 28/12/2021 21:40

@KindergartenKop

Sorry, there are four of us!

I'm thinking about Fort William in August. Is hiring a car tricky from there? Is it possible to splash in the Lochs? We like a bit of a ramble but aren't hikers per se. My son also wants to see Scottish wild cats Hmm

Enterprise have a centre right by the station so easy to hire a car. You can splash and swim in the lochs and it is beautiful. We stayed at the ardtornish estate which was a drive from fort William (via corran ferry) but well worth it x
unexpectedthird · 28/12/2021 21:41

Hiring a car is tricky in Fort William but it is possible, just make sure you book well in advance.

You won't see wild cats unless you go to a wildlife park. They are well hidden and protected. The Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie has some though.

Yes, you'll have a choice of lochs to splash in. 🙂I'd suggest Loch Eil or Glenuig.

When you say interesting what do you mean? There's heaps of incredible places within a 30 min drive of Fort William so you'll be spoiled for choice.

Chickpea22 · 28/12/2021 21:45

We have hired a car in Fort William a couple of times and it was fine. We are last minute Lils too so didn’t do it way I’m advance.

Pollaidh · 28/12/2021 21:46

That's good news! You used to have to pay for both berths if you wanted the room to yourself.

Yes you can splash in the lochs. It's exceedingly midgey in August though.

You can hire a car in FW (there's a place next to station) but options limited compared to cities, and you'd need to book early. Booking applies to all of Highlands accommodation btw, things get booked up early. It's mainly B&Bs or Youth Hostels, and the SYHA places vary from the bigger modern sites with comfortable family rooms through to tiny remote hostels that are more like a very rough barn with a few lumpy beds in.

You almost certainly won't spot any Scottish Wildcats in the wild, but you can visit some at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie (1h 15 from FW) in the Cairngorms.

Hillwalking - pick your routes carefully and don't be over ambitious, take a map and compass, take waterproof and warm clothing, spare food, check mountain weather forecast etc. Or hire a guide - I can recommend some. There are also some low level long distance walks such as the West Highland Way and these are well marked.

Indecisivelurcher · 28/12/2021 21:47

Oh wow, following this idea!

Original poster
KindergartenKop · 28/12/2021 21:47

Wildlife park sounds great!
Interesting is subjective, you're right! I think I just mean things that kids who aren't into climbing mountains every day would enjoy.

OP posts:
Mamamia35 · 28/12/2021 21:49

You could take the Sleeper to Inverness. Hire a car and drive down Loch Ness to Fort Augustus - take a boat tour and see the Caledonian Canal. Stay there overnight.

Carry on further down and head inland at Spean Bridge. Newtonmore has a Wildcat Hunt which is fun (statues around the village). Visit the Highland Wildlife Park where you'll see a real one. Stay in Kingussie or Aviemore. Get a hotel with a pool. Loch Morlich is lovely in summer and has a beach. Landmark Adventure Park at Carrbridge is worth a visit. You could do 4/5 nights in that area. Back up to Inverness and go Dolphin Spotting in the Moray Firth. Drop car off. Train back from Inverness. Enjoy!

Plantsandpuddlesuits · 28/12/2021 21:49

Its on my bucket list to do a sleeper train to Scotland, don't know why but it sounds so romantic!

unexpectedthird · 28/12/2021 21:53

Hiring a car in FW has been made much harder since Covid - last year there was 1. Hopefully this year it will be a bit better though but I'd err on the side of caution.

Although FW itself is a bit rubbish, it's quite a good base for lots of places. Kingussie & the Cairngorms are about 1.5 hrs away, you're just over an hour to Oban & Mallaig and Glencoe & Glen Etive (Skyfall) aren't far.

Most things to do are outdoors but there's a lot more than hills!

EmBeEmBe · 28/12/2021 21:56

We did almost exactly what @Mamamia35 described a few years back, with small children. It was absolutely brilliant. One of the best holidays. My children loved the wildcat trail in Newtonmore and were delighted to see real ones at the wildlife park in Kingussie. A beautiful part of the world.

MoonbeamSprinkles · 28/12/2021 22:02

I wouldn’t hire a car, if you like rail travel just go on the west highland rail line.

Base yourself at one of the rail stops and just spend your holiday going to places on the line.
It’s a marvellous way to holiday!

Newnews · 28/12/2021 22:02

Following!

EvilPea · 28/12/2021 22:03

We looked at it a few years back.
Looks incredible. But was so expensive. We flew instead Blush
Still on my todo list though.

There’s Scottish wildcats in Surrey Wink still convinced they are just tabbies from the local rescue Grin

BlueyandBingo · 28/12/2021 22:05

Have you read any recent reviews? There are lots of bad reviews when it actually runs… we wanted to go but instead went on the sleeper to Cornwall which was absolutely amazing.
The sleeper is quite expensive, I would ask why you want to do it, and ask if flying to Scotland might be better…

bonfireheart · 28/12/2021 22:06

This sounds so lovely!!