Welcome to the Old Brewery

Easter 2025, (7 - 20 April)  The Old Brewery can be booked on a bed only or bed and breakfast basis for groups and individuals. Please give us a call on 01381 600354 during office hours for rates and availability. 

Situated at the heart of the historic town of Cromarty, the Old Brewery is an exceptional destination where the arts, nature, and heritage converge. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, relaxation, or adventure, this outstanding example of a converted 18th C. Scottish brew house provides the perfect setting to immerse yourself in creativity and the natural beauty of the Black Isle.

The Old Brewery is a hub for artistic expression and discovery. We host workshops, exhibitions, and events that celebrate a diverse range of creative pursuits. Our facilities include comfortable and affordable accommodation, spacious studios and performance areas, making it an ideal venue for artists, writers, academics and musicians to gather, learn, and share their work.

The Old Brewery accommodation and facilities at a glance:

• Accommodation for up to 22 people in 12 bedrooms. Four single, one double, five twin & two triple bedrooms. Shower rooms and toilets are not ensuite but are right next door to the bedrooms.
• Self-catering kitchen.
• Catered meal options. 
• Four rooms for meetings and breakout groups:
  • the café area - this is a bright versatile room with access to the kitchen and French doors to the garden. It can be used for meals, meetings, workshops and as a venue for concerts and functions. Projector and pull down screen. At 11.3m long x 3.75m wide it  can seat 50 concert style and 35/40 for a sit down dinner. Stackable chairs and folding tables make this a very flexible space. On the ground floor.
  • studio 1 – stone walled room with electric fire and comfortable seating, ground floor.
  • studio 2 – larger room with sofas, easy chairs and space to put up tables. Ground floor.
  • loft studio – on the top floor with views over the Cromarty Firth, this room seats 20 in horseshow style and 40 conference style. Projector and pull down screen, DVD player.
• Outside patio and lawn areas with outdoor furniture. 
• Ample free parking.
• 45 minutes’ drive or one hour by bus from Inverness and conveniently located for access to NC500.

Discover the vibrant local arts scene

The Old Brewery is an arts and education centre run by a charity and our priority is to take bookings that fulfil our charitable aims. These include academic retreats and gatherings, training groups, workshops, attendees of arts, literature, music groups and events, team-building and nature groups. Arts based activities:

• Take part in one of Cromarty Arts Trust many visual art and applied craft courses or book your stay to coincide with a live music gig or concert. Check out our diary here.
• Emma Nightingale Glass: Explore exquisite hand-crafted glass art and unique creations by a well-known local artisan.
• Helena Barnes Artist: Book a private painting session with this established landscape artist. 
• Gallery 48 and Sonas Gallery: visit for distinctive and original local and Scottish art. 
• Cromarty Pottery, a 300-year-old building which has been a pottery by two generations for nearly 60 years. 
• Cromarty Cinema: visit this modern, purpose built cinema offering a range of blockbusters and art house films.

Nature and the Environment
Cromarty’s breathtaking landscapes offer endless opportunities to connect with nature. From the Old Brewery, you can explore the surrounding coastline, woodlands and wildlife, all while enjoying a comfortable stay in our accommodation at the Old Brewery or Ardyne. Plan your nature adventure:

• Ecoventures: Join thrilling wildlife-watching boat tours and witness dolphins, seals, and seabirds in their natural habitat.
• Book a fascinating Fossil Walk with a National Trust for Scotland geologist from the Hugh Miller Museum. 

Historic Buildings and Heritage
As one of Cromarty’s most iconic buildings, the Old Brewery is steeped in history. Once a bustling brewery, it has been lovingly restored to preserve its character while offering modern amenities. Cromarty’s charm extends beyond the Old Brewery, with many other historic sites to explore. Step into the past:

• Take a slow walking tour around Cromarty with an architectural historian. There are many perfectly preserved historic buildings including Cromarty House, a Stevenson lighthouse, the Old Manse, the Stables, an Andrew Carnegie endowed library, large merchant houses and tiny, ancient fisher families’ cottages.  
• The Hugh Miller Birthplace Museum: Visit the birthplace of geologist and writer Hugh Miller, and delve into his life and legacy.
• Cromarty Courthouse Museum: Experience the history of Cromarty through engaging exhibitions and an audio tour that brings local stories to life.
• Cromarty Harbour: Visit the restored and busy harbour with links and take part in the popular local sport of coastal rowing.

Further Afield
Cromarty nestles on the very tip of the Black Isle peninsula making it an ideal place to explore this fascinating area. During the summer months, Highland Ferries operate the last surviving ferry to cross an East Coast firth. Once common up the whole of the east coast of Scotland, these ferries have all be replaced by bridges but this little red ferry keeps going taking visitors across to the water to continue their journey further north. 
Other nearby attractions include:

• Poyntzfield Herbs – an organic specialist plant nursery.
• Kirkmichael – restored church with a large display of medieval ornamental crosses. 
   
• Fortrose cathedral - Enjoy the tranquillity at the seat of the bishops of Ross – a beautiful red sandstone cathedral in a quiet square
• Groam House Museum – dedicated to Pictish artifacts and the start of the Pictish Stone Trail.
• Fortrose Golf Course.

We do love dogs but with the exception of assistance dogs,we are unable to allow pets to stay. We do not allow hen or stag parties in this historic and listed building.  

We regret that all the bedrooms and the loft studio are upstairs and there is no lift. The cafe area, two studio rooms and an accessible toilet are all accessible and on the ground floor.  We do have a fully accessible bedroom in Ardyne House, a short distance from the Old Brewery. 

We have a number of pricing options covering hire of full building, of individual rooms and with or without catering. Please contact us for full pricing details.