Food and Drink Festival Experiences
With exclusive menu deals, special promotions, and a growing reputation as a foodie destination, Inverness and Loch Ness promise an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors alike.
Discover the experiences that make our destination special, whether you are a local wanting to try something new or a visitor who wants to experience as much of the food and drink scene as possible, this festival will make your trip one to remember!
Taste of Inverness & Loch Ness Dinner
A one-of-a-kind dining experience, celebrating the finest local producers from the Inverness & Loch Ness region. As part of the Food and Drink Festival you can experience this unique evening that offers the opportunity to indulge in exceptional food and drink. Perfect for food lovers, local producers, and anyone passionate about Highland flavours; this will be a true celebration of the region’s exceptional produce and vibrant community.
Hosted by MasterChef finalist Sarah Rankin the evening will be a beautiful mix of mouth watering dining and storytelling from our local producers.
This event has SOLD OUT
Learn how to make chocolate truffles
Are you a chocolate lover who would like to learn the art of working with chocolate or would you like to give a personal gift on Mother’s Day? Whatever the reason - make your own handmade chocolate truffles at The Station Road Restaurant, Fort Augustus.
This is an introductory 2 hour class for anyone with little or no experience of chocolate.
Chocolatiers take home 20-35 beautifully presented chocolate truffles and chocolate treats.
What will I make?
• Dark caramel truffles
• Fruit and nut chocolate bark
• White chocolate lollipops
Class Dates
- Weds 26th Feb - Sat 1st March - 2-4pm
- Weds 5th March - Sat 8th March - 2-4pm
£50 Per Person
Book your place on this unique and creative class here
Or call The Lovat on 01456 490000
The Gabbler Anthology Event
A fantastic chance to get a flavour of what The Downright Gabbler do best! Experience a mix of their favourite stories and best-loved dishes from their different events. Enjoy a relaxed, informal and delicious dinner with a treasury of tales, anecdotes and surprises. Sample fabulous food including Kirsty’s legendary roast potatoes, or their tribute to a Scottish food icon – a deconstructed teacake.
Three-course delicious meal
Story telling from Garry
Paired drinks flight available
Available from Saturday 22nd February to Sunday 9th March
£49 per head.
Book here to experience the wonderful world of the Downright Gabbler
History Tasting Experience
Enjoy a 1 hour tasting experience and discover information about local distilleries and the journey of the spirit.
The experience includes 1 new spirit, 3 whiskies from local distilleries, and 1 traditional mead.
Held at The Lovat Hotel, Fort Augustus during the Food and Drink Festival.
Experience Dates
22nd Feb - 9th March - 3-4pm
£45 Per Person
Book your place on this unique experience here
Or call The Lovat on 01456 490000
Torrish at Ness Walk
Spring Tasting Menu Experience
Torrish, the elegant bar and restaurant at Ness Walk, luxury five-star hotel. With views of the River Ness, it is the perfect setting for a special meal in Inverness. Available from 22nd February to 9th March, they're offering a Tasting Menu Experience.
Enjoy a 6 course tasting menu with a glass of champagne on arrival for just £70 per guest.
Cafe 1668
Breakfast Roll and Barista Coffee for £5!
Gluten free and vegan options available.
Sit in or takeaway.
Mon - Fri 9am - 2:30pm
Contrast Restaurant
2 exciting menu offers!
Weekday Lunch offer: (available Monday – Friday from 12:00 – 14:30)
2 Course Set Menu: £18.95
Pre-Theatre Dinner Offer: (available Monday – Friday from 17:00 – 18:15)
2 Course Set Menu: £21.95
3 Course Set Menu: £24.95
Hou Hou Mei
2 & 3 Course Early Dinner Menu!
2 Course £21.95
3 Courses £28.95
Available between 4:30 & 5:30 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays during the festival!
The Priory Hotel
High Tea for Two for £30
Take the stress and mess out of cooking and head to the Priory Hotel in Beauly for a traditional High Tea. Their famous High Teas include, a main course of your choice, tea, toast and a selection of homemade treats. Served daily from 5pm - 7.00pm
Beira
Free Dessert with every meal!
Experience the NEW Beira restaurant and get a free desert during the food and drink festival!
Prime
Dine out for less!
£15 MAINS or TWO COURSES FOR £20
£15 Main Course: Available from Monday - Friday, 12PM - 3PM
2 Courses for £20: Available Monday - Friday, 12PM - 3PM & 5PM - 6:15PM
Scotch & Rye
Dine out for less!
£10 LUNCH | £15 DINNER
Burger & Fries for £10
Available Monday to Friday, from open 'til 5pm
2 Courses for £15
Available Monday to Friday, from 5pm til late
Cafe 1668
Tea and Cream Scone for £3!
Gluten free and vegan options available.
Sit in or takeaway.
Mon - Fri 9am - 2:30pm
Scotch and Rye
25% Off Cocktails
AVAILABLE ALL DAY, EVERY DAY!
Sip, savour, and save at Scotch & Rye!
All day, every day you can indulge in our handcrafted cocktails with a fantastic 25% off selected cocktails!
Includes:
Shirley Not!
Watermelon Sugga Guy
Fashionably Latte
Twisted Melon
Rhubarb Gin Fizz
The White House
Dine Out for Less
£10 LUNCH | £15 DINNER
LUNCH MENU FOR £10:
Available Monday - Friday 12pm - 3pm
TWO COURSES FOR £15:
Available Monday - Friday 5pm - 6pm
The White House
25% off Cocktails!
AVAILABLE TUESAY - FRIDAY, ALL DAY!
Sip, savour, and save at The White House, All day from Tuesday - Friday you can indulge in our handcrafted cocktails with a fantastic 25% off selected cocktails!
Includes:
Last Hunt
Apple Basil Smash
Pina Colada Spritz
Tequila Mockingfizz
Cranberry Apple Virgin mojito
Sams Indian Cuisine
10% Off
Enjoy 10% off your bill Monday – Thursday during the festival for both sit-in and takeaway.
Takeaway orders must be placed by phone to receive the discount.
Uilebheist Distillery & Brewery
4-Course Paired Beer Tasting Menu
In celebration of the Food & Drink Fortnight, we're offering a four-course tasting menu paired with our fresh, sustainable craft beer brewed directly on-site.
The Palace Hotel
Enjoy Dinner and Cocktail deals with a stay!
Offer 1 – Cocktail on Arrival – Stay for 1 night or more enjoy a Festival Cocktail on arrival and generous Scottish Breakfasts each morning.
Offer 1 – 2 Night Break with Dinner on your First Night & Cocktail on Arrival – sip your cocktail on arrival and then relax and enjoy your delicious 3 Course inclusive dinner on your first night, plus fuel your festival day with the sumptuous buffet breakfast in the morning!
The Whitebridge Hotel
3rd Course FREE!
Enjoy a two-course dinner in our traditional old bar and get your third course free. This is your chance to sample what our customers love about us – our eclectic old bar with its log burning fire and toe tapping tunes alongside our creative kitchen is the perfect backdrop to a relaxing evening.
Available on 6th, 7th or 8th March.
An Nead Cafe at Dundreggan
Free hot drink!
Get a FREE hot drink with the purchase of any cake or savoury item during the food and drink festival!
Salt and Fire
25% discount!
Enjoy a 25% discount on our scrumptious Soulful Bowls from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. And that's not all!
Earn double reward points on your loyalty cards with every purchase.
Here are the Soulful Bowls you can indulge in:
• Buddha Bowl
• Miso Peanut Butter Ramen
• Soto Ayam
• Falafel
• Pad Kra Pao
• Harissa Cauliflower
The Mart
2 for £20!
Any 2 burgers and large fries for £20
This excludes any of the special burgers.
Terms and conditions apply.
The Redshank
2 for £20 !
On wraps and fish & chips.
Choose either 2 wraps or 2 fish & chips or 1 of each.
Terms and Conditions apply
Kingsmills Hotel
Lunchtime Wine Offer!
A special treat for our lunch guests, with our 2 or 3-course lunch menu during the fortnight, you can raise a toast with a complimentary glass of wine, beer, or a soft drink with your meal.
Available to both residents and non-residents in our Conservatory Restaurant, served between 12noon and 2.00pm Monday – Friday. On Saturday & Sunday, enjoy a leisurely afternoon with lunch served between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
Loch Ness Inn
FREE Desert!
Receive a free dessert when you buy a starter and main course at the Loch Ness Inn during the festival fortnight!
XOKO Bakehouse
10% Off
Get 10% off at Xoko Bakehouse between 7-9am during the festival fortnight!
Use Code : Food&DrinkFortnight when ordering!
Rendezvous Cafe
CBD Tea with FREE refill!
Treat yourself and discover the Relaxing World of GOGO CBD at The Rendezvous Cafe! Join them throughout the festival where they are offering...
CBD Tea £5 with free refill
CBD Coffee £5 any syrup extra £1
CBD Brownies £6
The Whitebridge Hotel
FREE Whisky Flight!
Enjoy a free whisky flight experience when you book an overnight stay with us on 6th, 7th or 8th March. Our whisky flight allows you to explore three individual malts from three of the whisky regions. It is accompanied by an interesting guide which includes tasting notes, location and a little history.
The Whitebridge Hotel has a reputation for true Highland hospitality, charming interiors and gastro pub dining.
Food and Drink Festival Events
The Inverness and Loch Ness Food and Drink Festival Fortnight is not just about incredible deals, exciting launches, and unforgettable experiences—it’s also packed with unmissable events!
The Shortbread Showdown: Returning for its third year, this much-loved competition is back to crown the winner of the 2025 ultimate crumbly creation.
Taste of Inverness: A must-visit event where you can sample the finest local produce from talented suppliers, makers, and producers.
These events are the perfect way to celebrate the rich food and drink culture of Inverness and Loch Ness. Mark your calendar and get ready for two weeks of foodie fun!
Shortbread Showdown
The Highland Shortbread Showdown is back for 2025, proudly supported by Williamson Foodservice! Join us for this much-loved event!
Grand Final
📅 Saturday, 8th March
📍 Eden Court
The ultimate showdown! Enjoy tasting the best shortbread from across the Highlands and Scotland as the finalists compete for the top spot. Cast your vote in the public poll, cheer on your favourites, and celebrate alongside our expert judges as they crown the overall winner.
Bring your appetite and your love for Scotland’s most iconic treat, it’s going to be a deliciously fun experience for all!
Taste of Inverness
Meet local producers and discover the stories behind their incredible products and produce. Sample delicious treats and explore a variety of items available for purchase.
See local businesses in action, showcasing festival-exclusive offerings available in their restaurants.
And so much more...
Saturday 1st March 2025
Kingsmills Hotel
10am - 2pm
For just £5, you’ll receive:
A festival canvas bag for all your goodies.
Access to over 20 unique stalls featuring local food and drink.
Complimentary tea and coffee to enjoy as you explore.
Entry to two engaging pop-up talks and two live demonstrations by local industry experts
Inverness Cocktail Week
Enjoy cocktails from £5 and discounts at 30+ businesses throughout Inverness!
The city-wide cocktail event starts from 28th February until the 9th March 2025! Grab a bargain at your favourite venues or try out somewhere new, with UNLIMITED discounts across the week with your cocktail week wristband!
