Sleeper train to Scotland ideas please

[ManicGirl]

Hoping for some advice from people who know Scotland much better than me!

Me, DH and 2 DCS are going to be catching the sleeper train to Scotland next august. Really excited but really not sure where is best place to go. Want to travel round a few places and visit an island or two. Can always hire a car if necessary but would be happy to use public transport as that's what we normally do on holidays.

Is Oban a good place to head to? Or what is there around Fort William? We like exploring new places, walking and climbing in caves, rocks etc. DCS will be 8 & 6.

Years ago we did sleeper to fort William, train to mallaig and ferry to Skye.
Toured Skye ending in uig where we took ferry to Harris for a couple of days.
You could probably island hop down towards Oban (we went back to Skye).
We hired a car for 2 days on Skye but used buses the rest of the time.
Fab holiday.

You can the Jacobite steam train from Fort William straight off the sleeper.

You have to get the sleeper to Fort William - waking up crossing Rannoch Moor is amazing. plenty to do from there - you could train to Mallaig, over to Skye, head for Kyle of Lochalsh, train from there to Inverness, sleeper home from there?

Thanks for the replies. Given me lots of ideas. My kids are mad on caves and climbing so am quite tempted by Fingals Cave on the island of staffa as well. Clearly we will need to stay a while!

If they love caves, look up Spar Cave on Skye!

Mull is a must.

Thank you so much. My shortlist is now a much longer list

Love the idea of this holiday - must show dh