There’s something magical about closing your eyes in one place and opening them in another, especially when your destination is Scotland. Now, you can do it in more comfort than ever before – and in company.
The new and improved Caledonian Sleeper trains have been unveiled – and the fleet is the only sleeper service in the world to offer double beds.
Double rooms on the luxury service from London to 40 Scottish stations also come complete with en-suite bathrooms.
Passengers and special guests boarded one of the new trains for its maiden journey between Glasgow and Edinburgh, but the rest of us will have to wait for the service to launch officially at the end of May.
In addition to the new double rooms, passengers can choose solo or twin club rooms with an en-suite, classic rooms with one or two single beds, or reclining seats.
The number of accessible rooms for passengers with reduced mobility has also been increased. Built at a cost of £150m, further additions including a hotel-style keycard system – for security – and onboard WiFi.
Rail historian David Meara described the Caledonian Sleeper, which has been running since 1873, as a “magical experience”, adding that it “has a very special place in people’s hearts.”
“While on the continent sleeper trains are slowly being phased out, because long-distance train travel is so much easier with the high-speed routes, yet in this country because of the investment of Serco and the Scottish Government, the Anglo-Scottish sleeper service is set to have a new renaissance,” he said.
Prices range from £45 for seats to more than £300 for a superior double room and despite these pictures, we’re told suits aren’t obligatory dress code. Holiday to Scotland? Yes please.