A world of extraordinary possibilities are waiting for you via an overnight journey from the heart of London to the wilds of Scotland. Every time I take the Caledonian Sleeper train my friends message me saying “You love that train!” or “I can’t believe I’ve not done it, take me next time!” It is true, I am obsessed with the Cal Sleeper and I want to share the reasons why in the hope that it might inspire your own magical journey from London to Scotland (and back!) via the sleeper train. The train ride is all part of the adventures that await once you escape the city and head North to find your slice of wilderness to stir your soul.
Escape the City
Life in London is hectic. Although I could fly to Scotland in an hour, I love taking the train because it gives me a chance to unwind and leave the stresses of my life in the city behind. Boarding at 9pm and disembarking at 7am gives me 10 hours to relax knowing there’s nowhere I need to be and nothing I need to do. It’s time to press pause on life and let the train do all the work for you! As the train presses North, I enjoy a whisky in the lounge before retiring to my bed and tucking myself in for a good nights sleep.
Hiking in the Cairngorms
Breakfast in bed with mountain views
I love the rocking sensation of the train and sleep gently until I hear a knock on my bedroom door. It’s breakfast time! My first thought is to open the blind and look outside my window. Mountains! In winter they are often covered in snow, which makes me feel that same childlike sense of excitement I get on Christmas morning.
Gateway to adventure
I’ve taken the Cal Sleeper to Fort William to explore Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, to Inverness to explore the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides, and to Aviemore to explore the Cairngorms. Scotland is my favourite country in the world and even though I visit twice a year, there is still so much more I’d love to see and experience. More castles to wander around in awe, more mountains to climb, rivers to kayak and trails to hike, more whiskies to drink, more wilderness to discover, more history, culture and stories to hear. Luckily for me, this means more train rides too! The Cal Sleeper is your gateway to adventure and you can shape your adventure in any way you choose!
Meall a' Bhuachaille, The Cairngorms
Green Lochan, The Cairngorms
Utah Lochan, Aviemore, The Cairngorms
A wee dram at sunset on the Shetland Islands
Make the most of your weekend
For people with busy lives who want to maximise weekends, the sleeper is ideal because you can leave after work at 9pm on a Thursday night, arrive Friday morning and have all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday to do whatever you like, before getting the train back Sunday evening and arriving into London Euston at 7am Monday morning. You can head straight to work buzzing from the weekend you’ve just had and make everyone in the office jealous with your tales of adventure, whilst they are still recovering from their Saturday night hangover.
A snowy hike over the highlands
Double rainbow after a storm on the Shetland Islands
On-board Whisky menu
The train itself has a lounge bar and something I think is especially awesome is that the train has a whisky menu! I mean, they do food and other drinks too, but in true Scottish culture, they are dedicated to their whiskies and have many you can choose from. I took my Mum on the Sleeper last year, she couldn’t believe it. Whisky, on a train, her own room, breakfast in bed and then the icing on the cake: we arrived in Scotland. Our trip fulfilled a long standing dream of hers to stay in a beautiful Landmark Trust property on the Mull of Kintyre.
Isle of Arran
Welcome to Scotland
I have always found the Scots to be friendly and I’m reminded of this the moment I step foot on the train. The staff are proud to create this experience for you and make it clear they are available to help with any needs. I often muse with my friends about what it would be like to teleport from one place to the next, in many ways the sleeper train is as close to that feeling that I’ll ever get. Finish a days work, board the train, eat dinner and enjoy a wee dram, go to sleep and wake up in Scotland. Surrounded by mountains, your adventure awaits.
Book your own magical journey here: https://www.sleeper.scot
About Cal Sleeper:
The Caledonian Sleeper is competitively priced and means you can avoid the hassle or additional costs of getting to and from the airport. Arriving at your destination in plenty of time for early morning meetings or a full day’s sightseeing without the cost of a hotel.
Combining travel to and from the heart of London (Euston station) with comfortable overnight accommodation, prices for Comfort Seats start from £45, Classic Rooms from £140 for Solo or £170 for Shared, Club Rooms from £205 for Solo and £250 for Shared and Caledonian Doubles from £335 for Solo and £400 for Shared. Various Railcard discounts may also apply, while guests are always assigned the best value ticket when making their booking.
Caledonian Sleeper fares have no hidden costs and allow guests to bring multiple suitcases, bikes or excess baggage on board without incurring any additional charges. With a 12-month booking window, it also means you can plan your travel well in advance.