I OFFER no apologies for mentioning Scotland’s sleeper services in these column inches yet again because I believe they are a vital utility and a huge incentive for tourists.

While we wait for the Scottish Government to finalise the plans to re-nationalise the Caledonian Sleeper and remove the franchise from Serco, there has been another development.

French company Midnight Trains has announced plans to connect Paris, Milan and Venice with an overnight service offering an ‘all things to all people’ package of fares and experiences. There are later proposals to link Copenhagen, Berlin and happily enough, Edinburgh.

I’ve been fortunate enough down the years to have travelled by sleeper train all over the world and I’ve eulogised in this column before about the excitement/convenience hybrid. My experiences in the USA were primitive, my experiences in Europe as luxurious as my budget allowed.

Unless you’re intent on watching the views all day, it seems common sense to sleep as you travel overnight.

There should be several of these trains every night linking Scotland with European cities and vice versa, via the Channel Tunnel. Whether you’re a thrifty backpacker heading for the sun or out for a hedonistic experience of champagne and caviar, these trains could easily cater for both.

Forget flying and all it entails for the environment: just jump on at Waverley and jump off in Venice after hours of decent scran and bevvy and a good kip!

I have never been a fan of a privatised railway, but this scheme gets my green light.