Caledonian Sleeper to link Scotland with Birmingham

Passengers will be able to travel to Birmingham on the overnight trains from mid-January

The Caledonian Sleeper will link Scotland with Birmingham from January in the biggest timetable change in 30 years, according to the overnight train's operators.

Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William services will travel to and from London via the city in the West Midlands.

The Lowland service that goes to Glasgow and Edinburgh is unaffected by the change.

Caledonian Sleeper's interim managing director Graham Kelly said journey lengths and departure times would not be affected by the change.

Mr Kelly said research suggested there was demand for Birmingham to be added to the route and it was hoped the change would help contribute to tourism in the north of Scotland and the West Midlands.

He told BBC Scotland News: "We are continuing to run our service in its existing and current format.

"It is about adding in Birmingham as that additional opportunity.

"So in terms of the length of the trains and the resourcing on board, it will all continue to remain."

Caledonian Sleeper was taken over by the Scottish government in 2023 after previous operator Serco had its contract ended seven years early.

At the time, the government said it was looking to build on an increase in passengers using the service.

Sleeper passengers can travel in a cabin or a seat

The new service will depart Birmingham International on 15 January 2026.

It will run six days a week, with no services departing stations on a Saturday night.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: "This iconic service means people from across the West Midlands will soon be able to travel comfortably and sustainably to discover the stunning beauty of northern Scotland.

"But this also means our Scottish friends can come and explore the wonderful West Midlands."

He added: "That's a win-win for our tourism and hospitality businesses on both sides of the border."