Scottish Highlands next year

[robertbishop]

Hi all,

I'd like to get a go on the Caledonian Sleeper before the old stock gets replaced, so I'm planning a multi-day trip to the Scottish Highlands and back for next year (2 people going, total). To make it more interesting I thought a good itinerary would be doing the ECML in one direction to or from Inverness, and the WHL to or from Fort William. This crossed my mind as the HSTs haven't got many years left (unless VTEC are going to extend their lives with power doors, among other mods?).

I figured it would be better when the days are longer and the weather is nicer, but it would need to be soon enough such that I don't end up with Mk5s. I've been keeping an eye on the Caledonain Sleeper thread on this forum, and the company line appears to be 'Spring 2018', unless anyone can correct me. I've also been keeping an eye on the fares on the sleeper.scot website, and they seem to vary between £170 and £255 for a two-person berth (I looked at April). Would there be a 'sweet spot' for booking it? Also, my 16-25 didn't appear to make a difference, which is strange (?).

The bit in the middle of this itinerary is Inverness to Fort William (or vice versa). I did this trip in 2011, and the connections between train to Kyle, bus to Armadale, ferry to Mallaig and train to Fort William worked (it was a Friday). Is this still the case? Does it work 'clockwise' as well?

I'd really appreciate an expert eye being cast over this - looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Robert

 

[Kite159]

I believe Cally Sleeper are redrawing from accepting (some if not all) railcards when the new stock comes in. Doing the full run certainly isn't cheap anymore

(Cheapest way if you want a chance to go on the Sleeper is probably a mid-week booking on the lowlander to Glasgow, probably Tuesday or Wednesday.)

As for the round trip, sounds like an excellent idea. Not to sure on the connections with the ferry & buses to do a round trip

 

[James Wake]

The bus times changed recently, you can only do the through journey from Armadale-Kyle without changing Monday-Friday. Clockwise, leave Fort William at 0830, get the 1100 roughly ferry to Armadale for the 1235 bus to Kyle, which links onto either 1346 or 1713 trains.

Anti-clockwise is the 0855 Inverness to Kyle arr 1130, 1145 51 to Armadale, 1300 ferry to Mallaig then onward train, either Jacobite or 1605 to Glasgow.

 

[Flying Snail]

Last time I did this it was possible to get from Sleeper to Sleeper via Skye and the 17.13 from Kyle to Inverness using the Jacobite from Fort William.

The same Skye-Armadale ferry (14.00-14.45) was also a connection from the 12.12 service train if you missed the Jacobite or didn't want to pay extra for it.

The bus connections normally requires a change for Armadale-Kyle, you would need to wait for Stagecoach to release the summer 18 schedule to be certain as they do change things around.

Obviously as you want to use the Chieftain you will need at least 1 overnight somewhere, as above with a bed in Inverness gives you the most options for accommodation but you may prefer to stay on Skye or Fort William.

 

[30907]

The problem is that if the Mk 3s go in the spring, you won't have the summer bus and ferry schedules to play with. Looking at mid-November as a proxy for mid-March, there are two northbound connections Mallaig-Kyle and no southbound, and you would need to overnight at one or other (or on Skye).

Alternatively, you could connect via the Great Glen.

There is a circular tour fare from Glasgow or Edinburgh which might be worth checking out, though Advances are probably cheaper.

BTW the HSTs are going to be recycled for Scotrail services.

 

[Kite159]

The problem is that if the Mk 3s go in the spring, you won't have the summer bus and ferry schedules to play with. Looking at mid-November as a proxy for mid-March, there are two northbound connections Mallaig-Kyle and no southbound, and you would need to overnight at one or other (or on Skye).

Alternatively, you could connect via the Great Glen.

There is a circular tour fare from Glasgow or Edinburgh which might be worth checking out, though Advances are probably cheaper.

BTW the HSTs are going to be recycled for Scotrail services.

Beware the circular tour fare is valid only on Scotrail services, so no sleeper or even VTEC HST.

 

[Hadders]

It's normally possible to Kyle-Armadale-Mallaig by bus even in winter however you need to check the timetables as they can change frequently and are linked to school term times.

The 1815 from Mallaig connects into the sleeper at Fort William which departs at 1950.

If you get stranded at Kyle then you can always get the Citylink coach service to Fort William which will arrive in plenty of time to pick up the sleeper train.

 

[robertbishop]

Thanks for the help guys - much appreciated.

Do we have any idea of when the Mk5s will replace the Mk3s on the Highland Sleeper? Once I've got a good idea of this I can cross reference to bus timetables and ticket prices for other parts of the journey.

 

[robertbishop]

Morning all,

I'm picking this thread up now the Mk3 sleepers are staying until October 2018 - so I'm now able to settle on early June, as this is when it appears the Summer bus timetable comes into force. A few remaining questions I'd appreciate some thoughts on:

• If I do have choice in berths for the northbound Fort William sleeper (1S25), are there some berths that are better than others?
• This may come off as a stupid question - and I have looked at the VTEC IET thread - but will it still be HSTs from Inverness and Aberdeen in June this year?
• And without starting a larger discussion, is the First Class offering (i.e. food/drink) any good on VTEC? I remember it being quite good on East Coast when I last did it in 2011.

I eagerly await the Summer 2018 Stagecoach bus timetables - I have emailed them such is my level of keen-ness!

Robert

 

[Kite159]

It will still be a HST on the Inverness - Kings Cross service, the IETs are not entering service with VTEC until December*

 

[backontrack]

I believe Cally Sleeper are redrawing from accepting (some if not all) railcards when the new stock comes in. Doing the full run certainly isn't cheap anymore

(Cheapest way if you want a chance to go on the Sleeper is probably a mid-week booking on the lowlander to Glasgow, probably Tuesday or Wednesday.)

As for the round trip, sounds like an excellent idea. Not to sure on the connections with the ferry & buses to do a round trip

So they won't accept any railcards?