This summer, Glasgow Central Station will play host to the famous Northern Belle, a 1930s luxury train that will treat passengers to a sumptuous journey that harks back to the golden age of steam engines. Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, the Northern Belle will set off on a memorable journey along Scotland’s West Highland Line. Passengers will be treated to a day in the lap of luxury, which will include red carpet entry and champagne when they board, followed by a seven-course meal, wine chosen by the onboard sommelier, and entertainment provided by musicians aboard.
The Northern Belle is regularly voted one of the world’s top ten train journeys and features one of the individually hand-decorated carriages that once formed part of the Royal Train. Actor Bill Nighy described the train as “the Grand Dame of luxury travel” when it featured on Channel 5’s The World’s most Scenic Railway Journeys.
Starting off from Glasgow Central, passengers will be greeted by a red carpet on the platform and welcomed aboard with a glass of champagne and caviar blinis—an introduction to the luxurious journey ahead. The Northern Belle, a beautifully restored luxury train once part of the renowned Orient Express setup, features interiors that reflect the grandeur of 1930s travel.
During the trip, passengers will travel through some of Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes, stopping at various scenic points along the way. The West Highland Line includes views of Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, and the beautiful peaks of Glencoe.
There are further journeys from Glasgow and Edinburgh on the Northern Belle planned for August, including a trip to Oban on the West Coast and another summer lunch journey on the scenic West Highland Line.
5. Northern Belle
To round the journey off, choose from an array of British cheeses from our award-winning cheese board, accompanied with chutney, fruitcake, biscuits and a glass of Port. Finally, mull over the journey with Fortnum & Mason tea and petits fours. | Northern Belle
6. Northern Belle
The Northern Belle has been voted one of “the best train trips in the world” by readers of the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller magazine for the third year in a row. | Northern Belle
7. Northern Belle
Conde Nast magazine said: “It’s all about the food – and the scenery. The meal services are exquisite, offering fine dining crafted mostly from UK suppliers so you can enjoy classic British fare as the heaths, meadows and dales roll on by.” | Northern Belle
8. Northern Belle
Crafted from sycamore, madrona burr, yew, peartree and boxwood, the Glamis carriage features the “thrift” motif of Glasgow art nouveau artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh, together with a depiction of Glamis Castle. | Northern Belle