(Image: Caledonian Sleeper)
A photographer spent two years using drones to capture images of the Caledonian Sleeper for a new calendar.
Stephen Sweeney, from Glasgow, began with a sunrise shot in Rannoch in the West Highlands, and ended with a summer picture of the train in Angus this year.
He has described the project as a ‘genuine joy’ as he worked the most remarkable twilight shifts, with some starting at 3AM to get into position for the train’s arrival to cinematic settings.
Mr Sweeney said: "Spending time out in different Scottish landscapes, looking for those moments where the train and the environment come together, has been a genuine joy.
Read More:
- Working group to explore Caledonian Sleeper links to Europe
- Caledonian Sleeper announces new route from January 2026
- Rail staff 'relief' at boss stepping down amid 'failure'
"I feel very lucky to be able to call Scotland home, and this project has been a wonderful reminder of just how much there is to discover on our doorstep. It shows how truly unique the Caledonian Sleeper is, the journey it takes is truly magical.
“When it came to carrying out the actual shots it was a case of parking up and waiting.
An image from the 2027 Caledonian Sleeper calendar (Image: Caledonian Sleeper)
“There were some times I could hear the first sounds of the train arriving in the distance, from the noise of the tracks. It was quite incredible, I would be waiting and then it would all be over within 20 seconds.
“It was a surreal experience, being stood in these cinematic locations whilst everyone, including the passengers on the train, was sound asleep.
“It was just me and my camera, surrounded by the Scottish wildlife. It felt so calm and peaceful and then you’d suddenly see the train appear out of nowhere.
Mr Sweeney had the assistance of Patrick Jordan, in-house graphic designer at Caledonian Sleeper, who took the reins as project manager for the calendar shoot and helped capture the perfect moments. The duo tackled all the Scottish weather had to offer to make sure they were in the right place at the right time.
An image from the 2027 Caledonian Sleeper calendar (Image: Caledonian Sleeper)
He said: “All the shots were meticulously planned to minimise any serious challenges. There was a lot to consider, mainly the Scottish weather and some of the shots being taken in the depths of winter. I had to make sure I timed it perfectly, then we used Google Earth to find out how the light would fall at the exact time of day the train was due to pass.
“There were also some wonderful unexpected moments. One early morning at Rannoch, I heard the call of a pheasant - something that I’d never heard before.
“It was totally surreal to hear it, in the stillness of the early morning. Seeing eagles and other birds of prey in the Cairngorms was another real highlight.”
The calendar is now available to buy as part of Caledonian Sleeper’s 2026 Christmas range.
The exclusive range includes Caledonian Sleeper’s 2026 Christmas Jumper; from which £5 from each jumper sold will go towards The Railway Children charity.
An image from the 2027 Caledonian Sleeper calendar (Image: Caledonian Sleeper)
A matching festive Bobble Hat will also see £2 of each sale going to The Railway Children, and perfect tree decorations in the form of a Christmas Bauble hand painted in the unique Sleeper tartan are available for purchase too.
Steven Marshall, Caledonian Sleeper’s head of sales & marketing said: “The calendar has captured Scotland in all its beauty and helped show exactly why the Sleeper is the most unique overnight railway service.
“Every month is as strikingly beautiful as the next and captures all the seasons fantastically well, showing what a joy travelling in the Sleeper is all-year-round.
“We know it will be a huge hit this year along with our excellent Christmas range which features our limited edition Caledonian Sleeper Christmas jumper, bobble hat and hand painted Sleeper tartan Christmas baubles.”