The Orient Express style train dubbed ‘Britain’s most luxurious’ coming to Scotland  | Scotsman Food and Drink

If you’re looking to treat yourself or loved ones to a grand day out then why not book a trip on board ‘Britain’s most luxurious trains’? The Northern Belle, a 1930s Pullman-style train, which was once part of the Orient Express group – is touring the UK, with a day trip planning in Scotland.

Day-trippers on board the train can look forward to a seven-course champagne lunch while travelling at 70mph aboard one of the world’s poshest trains.

As well as high end dining, the train’s own resident musicians will entertain passengers, while an extra touch of magic is added by a conjuror who gets up to his tricks as he strolls through the carriages.

The Northern Belle will meander through the wintry countryside after setting out from Glasgow Central and then picking up more passengers at Edinburgh Waverley before taking in a route including Perth, before returning to Glasgow via Dunblane, Stirling and Cumbernauld. 

A spokesman for the Northern Belle said: “We like to think the Northern Belle harks back to the golden days of rail travel – an era when nothing was too good for the pampered passengers. We even lay a red carpet across the station platform before they board and are handed their first glass of champagne.”

The Northern Belle is regularly voted one of the world’s top ten trains and one of the individually hand-decorated carriages used to form part of the Royal Train. In fact it is even rumoured to contain the late Queen Mum’s favourite seat.

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.

The Northern Belle’s Christmas Special will depart from Glasgow at 11.40 and Edinburgh at 12.55. Tickets are priced at £395 per person, with the day trip from Glasgow taking place on Sunday 1 December. Ticket prices include champagne and wine, the seven course lunch that starts with freshly prepared canapés such as caviar blinis and ends with a cheese board.

If you’ve missed out on this pre Christmas treat, the train will be back in the two cities for lunch and afternoon tea journeys in July, before a trip past Loch Lomond to Oban in August.

Fares start at £365.  For more details and to book, visit the Northern Belle website.