Tag: caledonian sleeper

Introducing… Charlie Guest, Scottish Olympian and World Cup Alpine Skier

Posted on by Mark Johnson

Caledonian Sleeper are delighted to announce the brand-new partnership with Scottish Olympian and World Cup Alpine Skier, Charlie Guest for 12 months.

“My career is defined by facing up to adversity and coming back stronger, time after time.”

Charlie lives and breathes passion, energy and enthusiasm for the many amazing things that she does. Born in Perth, Scotland, and growing up in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, she is a true Scot at heart. Charlie had her first taste for skiing at the age of 3 at Cairngorm… fast forward to 2013 and her World Cup debut in Austria is complete. Since, Charlie has made history. She is the first British woman to win an Alpine European Cup. 5 podiums, 2 wins and ranked inside the top 20 in the World. Incredible.

When Charlie isn’t skiing around the world, she spends her time physically training, studying Psychology at the University of Aberdeen, and living her 3 core values; Mental and Physical Health, The Environment and Our Planet and Equality. Her dedication and liveliness shines through in all of her work, making her the perfect ambassador for Caledonian Sleeper.

Charlie Guest, Scottish Olympian.
Photo Credit: David Ho at Headshots Scotland.

“It is a dream come true to be working with Caledonian Sleeper over the next 12 months. The service is something that I used last year to get between Uni in Aberdeen and commitments in London, and I loved it, I actually would not stop talking about it, it is so unique. It is such a privilege to be on board (excuse the pun) and I cannot thank the whole team enough for their support and warm welcome. I am fiercely proud of my Scottish roots and a lot of the early days of my career and my life in general can be mapped along the routes that the Sleeper takes. I am really looking forward to representing Caledonian Sleeper across the world’s slopes this Winter all whilst showing off the wonders of Scotland in the meantime!”

Caledonian Sleeper are ecstatic to welcome Charlie on board and are excited to bring content, competitions and much more for our followers, guests and employees alike. Welcome, Charlie!

Want to keep up to date with all of the latest Charlie Guest x Caledonian Sleeper news and content? Follow Charlie and Caledonian Sleeper on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

 

Visit Fort William, the outdoor capital of the UK

Posted on by Amy Moore

Fort William has long been known as the outdoor capital of the UK with its dramatic scenery, fresh mountain air and wealth of outdoor activities.

Travel with Caledonian Sleeper to the Scottish Highlands to experience the true outdoors, whatever the weather.

 

Climb Ben Nevis

Munro-bagging is a big thing in Scotland, with 282 Munros in the country. At the peak of the list, for keen climbers and visitors alike, is Ben Nevis. At 1,345 metres above sea level, Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK.

Translating Ben Nevis from Gaelic, it quite aptly means ‘mountain with its head in the clouds’.

And if you climb Ben Nevis on a clear day, you will have extraordinary views across Fort William and beyond.

There are different routes up the mountain for differing abilities, but remember to plan ahead.

 

Road to the Isles

If Fort William is your starting point, why not take on the Road to the Isles – beginning in Fort William and making its way west towards Mallaig, where you can get a ferry to Isle of Skye.

Along the scenic route, there are many places to stop and enjoy including Loch Eil, Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Arisaig and Mallaig.

 

Outdoor activities at Nevis Range

Head along to Nevis Range for an outdoor sports enthusiast’s dream.

 

Mountain Biking

Home to the UCI Downhill World Cup since 2002, Nevis Range is the perfect place for mountain biking, whether you’re experienced or a beginner. The World Cup itself will be held on 6 and 7 June, attracting mountain bike enthusiasts from around the world.

The range of trails, known as “The Witch’s Trails”, include something for all abilities, such as two downhill trails that are accessed by gondola. There’s even somewhere to wash your bike at the end of the day.

 

Tree Adventure

Hidden in the trees at the edge of Leanachan forest is Tree Adventure, a series of obstacle courses which provide the ultimate forest adventure for everyone.

 

Snowsports 

Nevis Range has a variety of snowsport runs for all stages, as well as group and individual ski lessons. Popular with snowsports enthusiasts, Aonach Mor is Scotland’s highest snowsports destination.

 

Walking

Nevis Range is home to a range of walks, including the mountain viewpoints and over 25 miles of forest walks. Experience views as far as the Inner Hebrides and the infamous Ben Nevis as you walk.

 

Paragliding

Another exciting activity on offer at Nevis Range is paragliding. What better way to take in the spectacular scenery than flying amongst Britain’s highest peaks? Travel to one of the viewpoints by gondola then take off on one of the most exhilarating experiences in Fort William.

Celebrate International Women’s Day in London

Posted on by Amy Moore

Sunday (8 March) marks International Women’s Day (IWD) – a day celebrating the great women in history, the countless achievements of women around the world, and the barriers that they have had to overcome to get to this point.

If you’re in London this weekend, we’ve come up with a list of the best places to visit to mark the day.

Women of the World Festival

The Women of the World festival will coincide with IWD, with a weekend of lectures, debates, workshops and panel discussions. Famous faces will be speaking at a number of the events, including Sandi Toksvig, Shazia Mirza, Elif Shafak, and the former president of Ireland, Mary Robinson.

International Women’s Day Ride

IBikeLondon has arranged a big bike ride across the city with an IWD theme – ‘an equal world is an enabled world’. With opportunities to chat with others and stop for food and drink along the way, this is a great way to see the city and meet new people.

Visit the Florence Nightingale Museum

Take a trip to the Florence Nightingale Museum to celebrate the life and work of the world’s most famous nurse.

Learn more about one of the UK’s most iconic women by exploring the museum, with a new exhibition – Nightingale in 200 Objects, People and Places – celebrating 200 years since she was born.

Lady of the Grapes

If you’re a wine fan and looking for a new venue to try this IWD, visit Covent Garden-based Lady of the Grapes. A wine bar, restaurant and shop, Lady of the Grapes champions women in the wine industry and serves natural wines made by female winemakers from across the world.

The food menu will encompass a natural and organic theme too, including sharing boards and dishes designed to complement the extensive wine list.

Persephone Books

Well-known Persephone Books reprints neglected fiction and non-fiction by mid-twentieth century writers. Reprinting mainly women writers, the bookseller publishes novels, short stories, diaries, memoirs and cookery books. The name of the bookstore was chosen as a symbol of female creativity and new beginnings.

Celebrate Pancake Day in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Posted on by Amy Moore

Pancake Day is celebrated every year on Shrove Tuesday – 47 days before Easter Sunday – so this year pancakes will be enjoyed on 25 February.

If you’re in Glasgow or Edinburgh, we’ve created a list of the best places to visit to treat yourself this Pancake Day.

Tribeca Bar & Grill

This American-inspired Tribeca bar and grill has a wide range of pancakes year-round, including buttermilk pancake stacks. There’s a wide range of sweet toppings available including cookie dough, Oreo crumbles, fresh fruit and ice cream. If you prefer a savoury topping, try bacon, eggs and sausages. Even better, this pancake day Tribeca is offering half price pancakes from 3-5pm.

Potbelly

Visit Potbelly for some of Glasgow’s most Instagram-worthy pancakes. Choose from a wide range of hotcake stacks with fresh fruit and decorated with flowers – your pancakes will stand out from the crowd this Pancake Day.

Lagom Kitchen

Indulge in some of Lagom Kitchen’s famous pancake stacks – with regular creative specials, this is not one to be missed.

Stack and Still

The clue is in the name – Stack and Still is known for its menu of pancake stacks. With their range of buttermilk, buckwheat, protein, gluten free and low fat pancake stacks, there’s something for everyone. Choose from one of Stack and Still’s out-there savoury combinations like the Mac Stack – mac & cheese, beef, gherkins and bacon, or one of the signature sweet combinations like the Jaffa Stack – hot fudge sauce, orange slices, jaffa cakes and chocolate chips.

If you really want to do something different, go for the DIY option, choosing your favourite pancake stack, toppings, sauces and ice creams.

Montpeliers

In Edinburgh’s Bruntsfield, Montpeliers is well-known for its breakfasts. Enjoy pancakes with caramelised banana, butterscotch sauce and crème fraiche, classic crispy bacon and maple syrup or refreshing berries with maple syrup. The perfect breakfast before taking on the day in Scotland’s capital.

City Cafe

City Café is situated just off the famous Royal Mile in Edinburgh and offers an all-American experience, including classic pancake stacks perfectly paired with a premium milkshake.

Whatever you’re doing on Pancake Day, take a walk down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and stop off for a well-earned pancake.

Loudon’s Café

Located in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge, Loudon’s Café shares delicious sweet and savoury pancakes. If you want to go for a healthier option, try the superfood pancake stack made with gluten and dairy free pancakes, spinach, garlic, chilli and ginger with humus and salsa.

Visit Glasgow during the Film Festival

Posted on by Amy Moore

The Glasgow Film Festival begins on 26 February this year, bringing with it a whole host of exciting activities and great films. And with a packed programme, there’s no better way to get there than with Caledonian Sleeper.

Stay Somewhere Special

For those stepping off the train, the Grand Central Hotel is ideally located within Glasgow Central Station. In a beautiful Victorian style building with sophisticated rooms and suites, as well as two excellent restaurants, this hotel offers quality and convenience.

Malmaison is based in a former Episcopalian church, with boutique rooms and first class wining and dining, this is the perfect choice for those looking to indulge themselves during their visit.

Apex City of Glasgow Hotel has a range of comfortable rooms and suites with a Scandinavian influence. It is located just seconds from the famous Sauchiehall Street, meaning it is surrounded by some of the city’s best bars and restaurants.

For a different experience, Airbnb has a wide variety of properties, spanning from luxury penthouses to peaceful cottages beside the River Kelvin.

What to see

Over the course of the festival hundreds of screenings will be held with themes set to include Local Heroes, Cinemasters and Women Make Film. Visitors should ensure they check out the events programme to find what appeals to them but we have picked out some of the best action for viewers.

For a totally unique cinema experience Glasgow’s iconic Argyle Street Arches will be transformed into ‘Neo-Glasgow,’ and will be screening a host of films between 28 February and 1 March, including Total Recall, Wall-E and Train to Busan.

The opening gala of the festival will be held on 26 February at the Glasgow Film Theatre with the UK premiere of award-winning drama Proxima, from renowned director Alice Winocour.

Other highlights include the multiple award winning Always in Season at the Centre for Contemporary Arts on 29 February and Days of the Bagnold Summer at the Glasgow Film Theatre on 4 March.

Beyond the screen

When not taking in a feature on the big screen there plenty of related activities to keep film buffs happy. The Film Fanatics Walking Tour is a two-hour tour visiting iconic film locations from around the city including Trainspotting and Outlander with some surprises thrown in along the way.

The Glasgow Film Festival Quiz, held on 2 March, offers a chance for experienced quizzers to show off their credentials. Held at Glee Club and hosted by Joe Heenan, this night will be a combination of head-scratching trivia and sidesplitting laughs. Doubletree will be hosting a series of behind the scenes events with well-known industry figures teaching audiences the tricks of the trade.

Where to Eat 

Glasgow is renowned for its fantastic restaurants and for those visiting for a limited time it can be hard to know where to start – so we’ve selected some of our favourites to help those struggling to decide.

The Butterfly and the Pig is situated in the heart of Glasgow’s city centre, just a minute away from the Glasgow Film Theatre, ideal for grabbing a bite after a screening. With a welcoming shabby-chic interior the restaurant serves up generous portions of traditional Scottish cuisine with its own unique style.

Finnieston, one of the coolest areas in Glasgow, has a veritable feast of trendy restaurants to choose from. Alchemilla is one example, serving up delicious Mediterranean inspired small plates and a fantastic selection of wines in a stylish setting.

SushiYa, located in Glasgow’s central hub, offers a selection of Japanese dishes for lunches and dinner. The freshly made sushi platters are a highlight and are perfect for a quick stop off on a busy day.

Explore Dundee and the Tay Country

Posted on by Amy Moore

Explore Dundee and the Tay Country

 

With a central location and a great mix of city and countryside, Dundee is an ideal location for a break away.

We’ve created a guide to the best and most interesting places that the UK’s only UNESCO City of Design and the Tay Country has to offer, so travel with Caledonian Sleeper to find out more.

 

V&A Dundee

 

The V&A Dundee, opened in 2018, has transformed the waterfront in the city. With a calendar of events and exciting exhibitions, it’s a must-visit for anyone going to Dundee.

New to 2020 is Tea and Tour – an experience combining a tour of the museum with an expert guide, followed by afternoon tea at Tatha Bar & Kitchen.

 

Broughty Ferry

 

Beside the sea, Broughty Ferry’s mix of pubs and restaurants makes it a relaxing and interesting place to visit, not far from the heart of Dundee. Find good quality Scottish produce at Forgan’s, where you can dine in the main restaurant, outside, or in a private bothy – there’s something for everyone.

The Broughty Castle and Museum explores the history of Broughty Ferry as a fishing village, the history of whaling, and wildlife that can be found in the area.

Broughty Ferry beach and esplanade are some of the best places in the local area to spot bottlenose dolphins– particularly from May to September.

 

Explore the coast

 

Tay Country has a range of coastline to discover. The Fife Coastal Path is Scotland’s longest continuous coastal path in the 117 miles between Kincardine and Newburgh. Take a walk along or take a boat trip to the Isle of May to see the sea life and wildlife.

Enjoy the abundance of local seafood along the route, including the seafood shacks in Crail, where the fishermen recommend their catch of the day.

 

Go outdoors

 

Explore the home of golf in Tay Country’s St Andrews. For the full golfing experience, enter the ballot to play a round at the Old Course, or try your hand at golf in one of the 111 other courses in Tay Country.

Go for a walk around the rolling countryside or beaches, or go adventurous and bag one of Tay Country’s many Munros.