‘Riding The Grand Dame Of Luxury Travel’ – A Day of Glamour on Scotland’s Northern Belle Luxury Train

The red carpet stretches across the platform at Glasgow Central Station, and there’s something magical in the air. The Northern Belle stands waiting, its gleaming carriages catching the morning light like jewels. Fellow passengers linger nearby, many having clearly embraced the occasion – women in elegant dresses and men in smart jackets, all with that unmistakable flutter of anticipation that comes before something truly special begins.

The champagne flute appears in your hand almost before you realise you’re aboard, and suddenly you’re stepping into another world entirely. The carriage interior unfolds around you like a scene from a 1930s film – rich wood panelling, plush fabrics in jewel tones, and brass fittings that gleam with careful restoration. Staff in period-inspired uniforms guide you to your seat with the kind of attentive service that feels genuinely caring rather than performed.

That first sip of champagne marks the moment when ordinary life falls away. The Northern Belle luxury train doesn’t just transport you through the Scottish Highlands – it transports you back to an era when travel was about the journey itself, not just the destination. The Golden Age of Travel brought to life, a time when passengers like Marlene Dietrich and Jean Harlow made train travel synonymous with glamour and sophistication.

The Theatre of Seven Courses

The meal begins with caviar blinis, delicate morsels that set the tone for what’s to come. Each course arrives with ceremony – silver service that feels theatrical in the best possible way. The waiters know exactly when to pour the wine, when to clear plates, when to simply let you savour the moment. You’re being completely looked after.

The seven courses unfold like acts in a play, each one perfectly timed to the rhythm of the journey. As you’re enjoying duck à l’orange or perhaps Scottish salmon, the West Highland Line reveals its treasures outside the window. The wine pairings are chosen with care – a crisp white with the fish course, a rich red with the meat – and by the third course, you’ve settled into that blissful state of being completely pampered.

The beauty lies in the small details: the way the crystal glasses catch the light, the warmth of the wooden table beneath your hands, the gentle sway of the carriage that somehow makes everything feel more intimate. You’re experiencing what it means to be truly indulged.

Music, Magic and Mountain Views

The strolling musicians appear as if summoned by the atmosphere itself. They move between tables with their instruments, taking requests and adding that perfect soundtrack to your journey. Sometimes it’s a gentle jazz standard, sometimes a Scottish ballad – always exactly what the moment calls for. The conjurer follows later, performing table magic that draws gasps and laughter from fellow passengers.

Scotland itself might be the most enchanting performer. The West Highland Line scenery changes like a living painting outside your window. Loch Lomond stretches blue and tranquil, flanked by rolling hills that seem to go on forever. Then come the dramatic peaks of Glencoe, their ancient stories written in rock and heather. The Arrochar Alps rise majestically, and wild Rannoch Moor opens up like something from a fairy tale.

Hollywood actor Bill Nighy, who featured in a Channel 5 documentary about the train, captured it perfectly when he described the Northern Belle as ‘The Grand Dame of luxury travel’. There’s something regal about the experience, something that makes you sit a little straighter and appreciate the privilege of being here.

The Joy of Treating Yourself

In our rushed world, there’s something profoundly satisfying about surrendering to pure indulgence. The Northern Belle experience taps into that deep human need to occasionally step away from the practical and embrace the extraordinary. Many passengers mark special occasions here – anniversaries, birthdays, or simply the recognition that life is too short not to treat yourself to something magical.

The 1930s luxury train travel aesthetic reclaims a time when the journey mattered as much as the destination. When getting dressed up was part of the pleasure, when conversation flowed over long meals, when the simple act of watching the countryside roll by was considered entertainment enough.

There’s also something wonderfully social about the experience. While you might start the journey as strangers, by the time dessert arrives, you’re likely sharing stories and laughter with fellow passengers. The shared experience of luxury creates an instant camaraderie that’s rare in our digital age.

Making It Happen

The Northern Belle departs from Glasgow Central, with the journey lasting the full day, which includes the champagne reception, caviar blinis, seven-course meal with wine pairings and all the entertainment. When you consider that you’re buying an entire day of escapism, it represents remarkable value for such an extraordinary experience.

The train also offers additional excursions throughout 2025, including trips to Oban and special Christmas lunch journeys. Booking is straightforward through the Northern Belle website, though given the limited capacity of the beautifully restored carriages, advance reservation is essential.

For those wondering about attire, smart casual is the official dress code, though many passengers choose to embrace the glamorous spirit of the occasion with more formal wear. The key is feeling comfortable enough to fully enjoy the experience – whether that’s in a favourite dress or a well-tailored jacket.

The sun sets over the Highlands as the Northern Belle makes its way back to Glasgow, painting the mountains in shades of gold and amber. Fellow passengers are quieter now, perhaps reflecting on the day’s pleasures or simply content to watch the peaks fade into evening light. There’s something deeply satisfying about this slower pace, this reminder that the best experiences can’t be rushed.

As the train pulls back into Glasgow Central, you carry with you more than just the memory of exceptional food and stunning scenery. You carry the feeling of having lived, for one perfect day, in the golden age of travel – when every journey was an adventure and every meal was a celebration. Like the appeal of a magical train journey through stunning scenery, the Northern Belle doesn’t just take you somewhere, it takes you somewhere else entirely.