Experience the Ultimate in Scenic Rail Travel with the Northern Belle

The Northern Belle, a luxury train beloved by renowned actor Bill Nighy, is set to return to Scotland this weekend, offering passengers a chance to recapture the golden age of rail travel. Departing from Glasgow Central Station on Friday, July 11, and Sunday, July 13, the train will whisk guests away on a journey of indulgence and breathtaking scenery.

The experience begins with a red carpet welcome at the platform, followed by a glass of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut NV Champagne and caviar blinis served in meticulously restored 1930s Pullman-style carriages. Onboard, passengers can expect an exquisite dining experience, live music from roaming musicians, and captivating sleight-of-hand magic courtesy of the train’s resident conjuror.

Friday’s journey will feature a traditional Afternoon Tea experience, served on white linen with sparkling glassware. The train’s website promises a nostalgic experience, with delicate sandwiches, delicious cakes, home-baked scones with clotted cream and jam, mouth-watering pastries, and a pot of freshly brewed Fortnum & Mason tea. According to legend, this ritual was started by the seventh Duchess of Bedford in the 1840s and later received the blessing of Queen Victoria, becoming a cherished part of the British way of life.

In contrast, Sunday’s journey offers an even more indulgent experience, with a full seven-course lunch prepared using the finest seasonal ingredients from across the British Isles. As the glorious countryside passes by, passengers will be treated to freshly prepared canapés, including caviar blinis, followed by a seasonal soup course, hand served by one of the train’s highly skilled Stewards. The main course, dessert, and an array of British cheeses with port will round out this culinary extravaganza.

The train’s carriages have been lovingly restored by some of the country’s finest craftspeople, including marquetry experts, muralists, and mosaic artists, offering a visual feast to complement the culinary one. The West Highland Line itself, known in Gaelic as Rathad Iarainn nan Eilean – Iron Road to the Isles – is widely considered the most picturesque railway line in Britain, linking the western ports of Scotland to Glasgow.

The Northern Belle is scheduled to return in August for two further journeys, including one to Oban, before offering two special Christmas Lunch trips later in the year. Tickets are still available, with prices starting at £365 for Friday’s Afternoon Tea experience and £465 for Sunday’s seven-course Highland Line adventure. Bookings can be made online.