This old railway carriage is a relic from the 1950s. Today it stands beside the line of the Jacobite Steam Train, right in the middle of the Scottish Highlands, and serves as accommodation for up to ten people.
The four compartments are fitted with either two or four beds each. The kitchen is spacious, with two fridges and plenty of equipment. A shower, two washbasins and a toilet take care of the basics. The lounge has a TV and board games. The entrance area has room for shoes, and the boot room has a heater for drying wet clothing.
That said, don’t go in expecting the sleeping car to be especially romantic. A carriage rarely comes with a generously sized double bed. There is one, but whoever sleeps on the outside needs to be careful not to roll off in the night. All the other passengers bed down in bunk beds.
The bathroom facilities are decent and work fine, if a little worn around the edges. The kitchen was designed by Ikea, so it’s not all lovingly restored railway interior… in short: walking groups will certainly have a great few days here. A romantic night, on the other hand, is a different matter.
Personal note: Not luxury, but full of character
I genuinely worried about falling out of the double bed at night. All in all, it was a lovely experience, and I’d recommend it as a stopover on the way back or as part of a round trip. But one night was enough.
Did you know: Railway museum
The sleeping car, along with the coffee-shop carriage, stands on the grounds of Glenfinnan Station, which is also home to a small railway museum – and a snow plough that’s well worth admiring too.
Tips: A view of the Jacobite Steam Train
Ask Hege Hernes or John Barnes (the hosts) when the steam train is due to pass, then head to the Glenfinnan Viaduct in good time to catch it there – a truly beautiful sight. There’s also a footpath from the station to the viaduct, which John Barnes can point you towards.
If you’d rather not cater for yourself, head down to the road and turn right. After about 50 metres you’ll reach “The Prince’s House Hotel”, which also has a restaurant and a bar. Good food…
Getting there:
Coming from Fort William, drive past the Glenfinnan Monument, leave the church on your left, then watch for the sign to “Glenfinnan Station”. Turn right there and drive up to the car park.
