Inverness AC Hotel announces re-branding of new restaurant Beira - with focus on local produce and heritage
An Inverness riverside hotel announced a major change in its food offering today after re-launching its in-house restaurant.
The AC Hotel on Glebe Street, which opened in 2022, has now re-branded its restaurant, under the name Beira, which will focus on dishes made with Scottish produce from within a 50-mile radius of the hotel.
Supplies will include shellfish from Sea Stocks, herbs and microgreens from Rising Roots in Moray, Great Glen Charcuterie providing also venison from near Newtonmore and coffee through the Inverness Coffee Roasting Co.
The new name for the venue is a tribute to Scottish folklore, with Beira being the Queen of Winter who, according to legends, crafted the rugged mountains, deep valleys and winding rivers that define the Highlands with a single touch and a powerful hammer.
Her maid Nessa was punished by Beira for not obeying orders and she transformed her into what is now known as the River Ness, which runs in front of the hotel.
General Manager Dianna Bruce said: “This launch brings a fresh, new concept and identity to the restaurant. We are celebrating Scotland’s larder of produce and our links with local suppliers gives Beira an individual identity as a destination restaurant for locals as well as our hotel guests.”
At the time of the hotel opening nearly two years ago, a Spanish tapas-style restaurant was launched as a nod to Antonio Catalan, who created the AC Marriott brand in Madrid in 1999.
The Spanish feel will still be at the heart of the dishes with a tapas menu on the terrace and bar bites available throughout the day.
The new menu aims to show a diversity of flavours, including pan-seared venison with bramble jus, poached chicken with chorizo butter and a Mediterranean risotto, as well as a choice of five desserts (including crema catalana).
The hotel was the first of the AC by Marriott in Scotland.
The 60-seater restaurant has an additional 20-seater terrace, close to the river. Menus will change seasonally, with food available every day from 12 noon until 9.45pm.
