Stay in old railway carriages in the Scottish Highlands. Review of Sleeperzzz in Rogart, Sutherland

If you love a bit of railway nostalgia or just want to stay somewhere unique that you will remember for years to come then this is the place.

A collection of 1969 railway carriages have been converted into overnight accommodation at Rogart station. The compartments have bunkbeds on one side and the original British Railways seating on the other side. One of the compartments is now a kitchen so that you can cook your own meals. 

The compartments have been converted to sleeping accommodation with bunkbeds. The original British Railways seating has been retained on one side of the compartment

The compartments are cosy and even have the original under-seat heating systems. I like that they have kept the seating so that you get an authentic feeling of being on a train. These seats are extremely comfortable and there is nothing on today's trains to match their quality. You can pull down the armrests and sink back with a good book and a smoky single malt.

It is not only the seats that have been retained. You will find plenty of the original signage and even the emergency pull cords. And to get into the carriage there is the sturdy door which you can give a satisfying slam, a sound that once echoed within railway stations across the country.

Rogart station sign

There is a kitchen inside one of the compartments, so that you can prepare your own meals

The carriages are named after whiskies

Have you ever wanted to pull an emergency cord on a train and not suffer the consequences? You can do it here!

If the carriages are not unique enough for you then there is also a Bedford bus and a 1930s fairground showman' s wagon. These can accommodate 3 people, so ideal for couples or a family. 

The 1930s fairground showman's wagon

The location of Sleeperzzz makes this place even more special. Rogart station is about 2 hours north of Inverness on the Far North Line. This is rural, lightly populated country and the train will only stop at Rogart if you "request" it- showing the guard your ticket so that he or she will ask the driver to stop and let you off. If you don't do this the train will speed right through the station. There is a 10 per cent discount if you arrive by train or bicycle.

This video captures the excitement of arriving and departing at Rogart by train. It provides a great view of the carriages and other railway paraphernalia at Rogart:

The riverside is a few minutes walk from Rogart station

One of the cottages near Rogart station

There is also a walk to a viewpoint over the surrounding countryside

The rear of Rogart Station as seen from the carriages of Sleeperzzz

This is a great place to bring a bicycle because there are miles of single track roads to explore. There are also several walks in the area. This is a tranquil place and if you want solitude you will find it here.
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The only place to go out for a meal in Rogart is the Pittentrail Inn, a two-minute walk from Sleeperzz. It serves bar meals, but it is worth checking in advance if they will be open during your visit. Golspie, ten miles away and the next stop on the line, is the place to go for supplies if you are going to use the kitchen facilities at Sleeperzzz. The town has a good selection of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.

Sleeperzzz is clased as hostel accommodation, so this is good value for money. It is not luxury, but it is lots of fun and in a stunning part of Scotland. 

Campsites.co.uk is also a great place to find railway carriage holidays with more than 10 to choose from.