Slow travel diary | London to the Scottish Highlands (by Caledonian sleeper train)

For this slow travel diary I journeyed from London to the Scottish Highlands. In this video I show what this slow travel train journey looks like, including a sleeper cabin tour.
I took the Caledonian sleeper train from London Euston to Fort William before boarding a train to Mallaig along the West Highland railway. A ferry then took me from Mallaig to Tarbet, a little bay on the shore of Loch Nevis.
Taking the plane to Scotland from London is still quite popular despite the various train options and the impact it has on the climate. So I’m showing how much more of an adventure it is to travel by train and ferry to hopefully inspire others to do the same.
A few years ago I quit flying for holidays and since then whenever I go away I travel by land or sea, mainly by train or ferry.
If you’re interested in learning more about sustainable travel and seeing what other flight-free holidays look like I will be uploading more videos in the future which explore both.
For now though I hope you enjoy this video and see you soon!
*I made this trip in October 2021
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
01:01 First class lounge
01:26 Boarding the train
01:40 Sleeper cabin tour
03:56 Bar car
04:16 Getting ready for bed
05:24 Waking up
06:05 Breakfast
06:55 Fort William
07:23 West Highland railway
07:46 Ferry from Mallaig to Tarbot
08:54 Arrival at cottage
HOW LONG IT TOOK
London - Fort William | 12hr 42m
Fort William - Mallaig | 1hr 26m
Mallaig - Tarbot | 1hr 30m
Boarded train at 9pm (but usually boarding starts at 8:30pm), arrived in Fort William at 9:57am
PRICE ((this is what we paid - see route options below for full price range)
Caledonian sleeper | £185 each for a one-way twin club room
Fort William to Mallaig (on West Highland railway) | £8.40 each one-way
Mallaig to Tarbot (ferry) | £19.50 each one-way
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS
Caledonian sleeper: www.sleeper.scot/destination/...
Trainline: www.thetrainline.com/
Western Isle Cruises: westernislescruises.co.uk/
ROUTE OPTIONS
London Euston to Fort William via Caledonian sleeper train (12hr 42m Mon-Friday, 12h 58m Sunday) - Fort William to Mallaig train (1hr 26m) - Mallaig to Tarbot ferry (1hr 30m)
Caledonian sleeper
Boarding 8:30pm - Depart 9:15pm - Arrive 9:57am (Mon-Friday)
Boarding 8:15pm - Depart 8:59pm - Arrive 9:57am (Sunday)
Seats from £40
Classic room - single occupancy from £140, double occupancy from £170
Club room - single occupancy from £205, double occupancy from £250
Double - single occupancy from £395, double occupancy from £470
Accessible - same as classic
Family deal (2 adults, 2 children in adjacent rooms) - from £185 (for classic), from £275 (for club)
Fort William to Mallaig
Costs from £7.50
Mallaig to Tarbot
Costs from £19.50
Very comfortable and convenient
More expensive than day trains if you book a cabin
London Kings Cross to Edinburgh via day train (4h 19m) - Edinburgh to Fort William (5h 7m) - Fort William to Mallaig train (1hr 26m) - Mallaig to Tarbot ferry (1hr 30m)
Depart 5:45am - Arrive 7:30pm
London to Edinburgh from £14.90
Edinburgh to Fort William from £28.90
Fort William to Mallaig from £7.50
Mallaig to Tarbot from £19.50
Cheaper than getting a cabin on the sleeper
Even more beautiful views as you’re not asleep for any of it
Really long day (if you don’t stay a night in Edinburgh which could also be a nice option)
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY
Each train has a number of accessible cabins with a wheelchair-friendly toilet next door.
Steph Weller has a great video about her experience travelling in an accessible double room: ​​ • Caledonian Sleeper Acc...
MUSIC
I’m Fine by Hazel English - / im-fine-1
Homage to a Friendship by The Zenmenn ft. John Moods
CONTACT
[e-mail]
SOURCES
www.seat61.com/sleeper-to-sco...
www.climateperks.com/
www.theguardian.com/travel/20...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/...
www.independent.co.uk/climate...
www.scotsman.com/news/transpo...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-2...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caledon...
www.visitscotland.com/info/to...
www.discoveringbritain.org/ac...
David Mear, Anglo-Scottish Sleepers.

[@sushantkhare8467]

Love the soundtrack and matching vibe!

[@kovie9162]

I've never been to Scotland but have long wanted to visit since it's such a beautiful country, and when I heard about the Caledonian sleeper I knew that I had to take it someday since I love sleeper trains, having taken quite a few in Europe and the USA. But recently an old friend started a new job in St. Andrews so I now have no excuse to not take it. We have a mutual friend who's also planning to visit them at some point so we'll probably do it together. I'm thinking a day train in one direction and the Caledonian in the other, so we get to enjoy both the sleeper and the sights along the way.

[@beagle7622]

I went to Inverness , in the summer 3 times. it was superb

[@ronandanne1]

Thanks for making and publishing this video! It was delightful. And now I've got another train trip to add to my "to do" list.

[@bigbudda6466]

Amazing video, loving the progression. Looks like an amazing route!!

[@muslihaha9443]

Lovely video with such great footage. Thank you for the very detailed description box too!

[@lottiebingham46]

OB.SESSED. Love the little history lessons you throw in along the way in each video too! Yet another trip I now need to take!

[@mumtaz4468]

Nice video so beautiful Sarah thanks 🙏

[@robertp.wainman4094]

A nice video of a great train journey - a pity the new bar/restaurant/lounge carriage doesn't have the more 'open plan clubby' design of the older one. Lots of good evenings were spent there!

[@emma-janekemp8249]

Wowwww this is incredible, your footage really brings these journeys to life!

[@sharonhealy2639]

Great video. Love the extra information. Going on this train in 2 weeks & cant wait. Well done

[@steveshaw6799]

Great vid, thanks! Congrats on improved blind skills. Excited for upcoming accurate pronunciations. Loved the featured old ads and train trivia tales too!

[@mommyshark1124]

I saw a post on Twitter, I think it wS your boyfriend(don't remember) to check out your journey. So glad I did. Can't wait to see more of your travels! Wishing you all the best from South Florida ☺

[@ruthpine-apple9860]

Great video, really enjoyed it. Can't wait to take this journey myself in April😊

[@bobblue_west]

The destination looks so peaceful and remote. Look fwd to seeing more of your tranquil hideaway.

[@sarahb.m.5730]

I’m only really showing my journeys at the moment but here is the link for the cottage I stayed at in case you’re interested - www.unique-cottages.co.uk/cottages/west-coast/lochaber-ardnamurchan/eh8-the-wee-house

[@jonchall71]

Jut done European sleepers for first time, well cheaper. Zurich to Zagreb and Vienna to Venice return. Brilliant rips.

[@richardthomson203]

London to Kylesmorar cottage overland return for two people for one week holiday...costs not including food and drink.... over £2000 ! Nice to be wealthy !!

[@faithlesshound5621]

*Tarbet - not to be confused with Tarbert.

[@mcachraf6397]

You are beautiful and you have a hobby like me, I love you so much

[@rolling-home]

Hey! Nice channel, keep the consistency, subbing! 💜

[@Anthony-xe6wq]

Nice video do u have a Instagram where we can follow your travels ? If not amazing content !!

[@sarahb.m.5730]

Thank you! I actually don’t have an Instagram account at the moment but I do have tiktok - my username there is @sarahbmarks