Highland sleeper train; best destination?

[Backroom_boy]

Thinking of having a birthday treat on the Caledonian sleeper. That will obviously be the highlight for me but which of the non-central destinations would be good for Ms BrB?

I'm thinking Inverness for the scenery but I've never been to Dundee or Aberdeen

 

[StephenHunter]

Does Fort William count as non-central?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I'd have thought the Fort William as well...

 

[AlterEgo]

Fort William and it’s not even close.

 

[30907]

Obviously Fort William one way, but if you can't get it (or Inverness) then go for Aberdeen rather than Dundee for the extra bits of coastal scenery. I don't know either city so can't advise on how long to allow there - depends on the overall plan I suppose.

 

[CW2]

It depends on whether you are planning a simple out-and-back sleeper trip, or one way sleepers and back on the day train, or staying in a hotel / B+B for a couple of nights (i.e. less cranky, more spouse friendly).
Sleepers out to Fort William, back from Inverness is a good itinerary, with bus connection between the two. Or you can go via Mallaig, ferry to Skye, and bus that way.
Aberdeen at this time of year is not a great place to be, with grey granite buildings, grey skies, and a general air of gloom.

 

[aaronspence]

Dundee isn't hugely exciting, Only real attraction is the Discovery and V&A which you could visit inside of a few hours, certainly not somewhere Id pay to go to on via Sleeper Train, agree with Fort William.

 

[Iskra]

Fort William for the Jacobite to Mallaig would be a trip of a lifetime scenically. Fort William itself is a little dull but the scenery around it is some of the best in the UK.

Alternatively, Crianlarich for Oban is a great option and Oban is a nicer destination than Fort William and has onward ferry connections.

Inverness or Aviemore are other options, but the West Highland Line is hard to beat.

I would however suggest a day train in one direction though so that you can actually see the scenery.

 

[xotGD]

Sleeper to Fort William.
Day train back to Glasgow.
Sleeper back to London.

Potentially with overnight stays in FW and or Glasgow to extend the trip. And maybe the steam train to Mallaig.

 

[W-on-Sea]

Either Fort William or Inverness, I'd say. Or both, even, it's easy enough to get from one to the other by coach.

Aberdeen is a moderately interesting city, the granite architecture is rather imposing, but it can also be really windswept and bleak in the relatively long winter season. Dundee I find rather less attractive, although the views of the hills of Fife across the Tay from the city can be quite splendid.

 

[12LDA28C]

Inverness is a great place with plenty to see and do and great scenery, as is Fort William. It's possible to do the sleeper to one, then get a bus/coach across to the other to come back south. I also like Aviemore - a much smaller place with less to do but it's a centre for skiing in Winter, if that's your thing and there is also the Strathspey Railway which is worth a look.

 

[Oxfordblues]

Fort William for sure, then the Jacobite to Mallaig for lunch at the Tea Garden Cafe followed by the afternoon ferry to Inverie and an evening in the Old Forge, Britain's most-remote pub. (I did this recently.)

 

[lachlan]

How much is there to see and do in Inverness and Fort William, without leaving the settlements? My impression is both are a great starting point for getting outdoors but aren't the nicest places themselves.

You can certainly spend a day in Aberdeen - but as already discussed it's best experienced in the summer. The architecture (both in the centre and out at the University of Aberdeen campus), dolphin watching at the harbour, the beach and museums are all worth checking out.

From Aberdeen for walks one can head to Deeside or north of the city but as a "base" Inverness and Fort William are superior. Whether that's for walks or just onward rail journeys via the Far north/Kyle/Mallaig lines which are all fantastic.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

... followed by the afternoon ferry to Inverie and an evening in the Old Forge, Britain's most-remote pub. (I did this recently.)

How much extra did this cost, by the way? And did you overnight in Inverie (Knoydart)?

 

[Spaceship323]

Inverness has some nice shops with the old indoor market opposite the station, but accommodation is very expensive. As @CW2 says, there is a bus to Fort William if you want to do a round trip

 

[12LDA28C]

How much is there to see and do in Inverness and Fort William, without leaving the settlements? My impression is both are a great starting point for getting outdoors but aren't the nicest places themselves.

You can certainly spend a day in Aberdeen - but as already discussed it's best experienced in the summer. The architecture (both in the centre and out at the University of Aberdeen campus), dolphin watching at the harbour, the beach and museums are all worth checking out.

From Aberdeen for walks one can head to Deeside or north of the city but as a "base" Inverness and Fort William are superior. Whether that's for walks or just onward rail journeys via the Far north/Kyle/Mallaig lines which are all fantastic.

There is plenty to do in each, particularly Inverness which has many shops and some great pubs and a pretty lively nightlife scene. Fort William is rather quieter however. I'm not sure how you can form an opinion if you've been to neither?

 

[185143]

There is plenty to do in each, particularly Inverness which has many shops and some great pubs and a pretty lively nightlife scene. Fort William is rather quieter however. I'm not sure how you can form an opinion if you've been to neither?

Inverness' nightlife is fantastic. Plenty of live traditional music and decent malt whisky any night of the week. And there's a 'Spoons too if you just want a simple reasonably priced pint and food.

Some of the best nights out I've had whilst travelling have been in Inverness, though number one without a shadow of a doubt was Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. I haven't been that rough since the morning after Rishi Sunak lost his previous job!

 

[Elwyn]

How much extra did this cost, by the way? And did you overnight in Inverie (Knoydart)?

Timetable and fares here:

Knoydart Ferry Timetable | Western Isles Cruises

You must book online for first and last boat of the day. All Sailing are weather dependent, please check the day before your travel. Please arrive 30mins early.

westernislescruises.co.uk

 

[12LDA28C]

Inverness' nightlife is fantastic. Plenty of live traditional music and decent malt whisky any night of the week. And there's a 'Spoons too if you just want a simple reasonably priced pint and food.

Some of the best nights out I've had whilst travelling have been in Inverness, though number one without a shadow of a doubt was Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. I haven't been that rough since the morning after Rishi Sunak lost his previous job!

Totally agree. I tend to head for my favourite venues in Inverness which are the Black Isle bar and MacGregors which sometimes has live music on as well as a good beer selection, often from the Cromarty brewery.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Another vote for the Black Isle place in Inverness, it’s great

 

[Oxfordblues]

How much extra did this cost, by the way? And did you overnight in Inverie (Knoydart)?

I can't remember the fare and we stayed at a B&B in Inverie.

 

[Backroom_boy]

Yes sorry don't know why I forgot about fort william. Thanks for all the suggestions

 

[lachlan]

There is plenty to do in each, particularly Inverness which has many shops and some great pubs and a pretty lively nightlife scene. Fort William is rather quieter however. I'm not sure how you can form an opinion if you've been to neither?

I've been to both a few times and wrote my previous post on the impression I got from those visits

 

[12LDA28C]

I've been to both a few times and wrote my previous post on the impression I got from those visits

Fair enough. We will have to agree to disagree then. I never pass up an opportunity to visit Inverness or Fort William.

 

[D6130]

Depending on the time of year in which your birthday falls, I would suggest outward to Fort William - with a civilised arrival time preceded by a leisurely breakfast in the club car while watching (weather-permitting!) the spectacular scenery of the West Highlands drifting by. Perhaps a round trip to Mallaig and back (even more scenic!) and/or a trip on the Nevis Range gondola (cable car) for bracing walks and close-up views of the North face of Ben Nevis. Perhaps even a night in Fort William? Then coach to Inverness up the Great Glen past Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle for either a night in Inverness, or the CS back to London. As others have said, overnight accommodation in Inverness is pretty pricey, but the King's Highway (Wetherspoons) has reasonably-priced rooms and their is both a Travelodge and Premier Inn....as there are too in Fort William.

 

[HST43257]

An interesting option is the Isle of Skye

Off the sleeper at Spean Bridge, having enjoyed a few hours of scenery since Helensburgh. Walk to the Spar for a lukewarm Bacon sandwich, before reaching the nearby bus stop to pick up the Citylink coach to anywhere you like, from Kyle to Portree or anywhere else en route. The connection is about 40 mins iirc, and you can be on Skye by lunchtime