Our Story
On the banks of the mighty River Ness
For over two decades, we had a vision. A vision to create the finest sustainable, artisan and, most importantly, delicious craft beers and whiskies, right here in Inverness.
Fueled by the flourishing rise of craft brewing and distilling movements of the ‘90s and noughties, our vision finally came to life in 2023 when we opened the doors at the Uile-bheist Distillery.
Nestled directly on the banks of the River Ness in Inverness city centre, our distillery site holds great significance as the birthplace of the mythical legend, the Loch Ness Monster (Uile-bheist Loch Ness).
It is here that the first recorded sighting of this infamous beast took place. Legend says that in 565 AD, Saint Columba banished a ‘Water monster’ back into the river, where he saw him attacking one of his disciples. Celebrating this, we wanted Uile-bheist to be a distillery that would protect the landscape that Scotland’s greatest myths and legends live on. By building a sustainable energy centre, our ‘brewstillery’ has been described as ‘exemplary’ in its practices.
So step into our world and experience the power of storytelling, where each sip of our meticulously crafted whiskies and beers carries the weight of ancient legends and captivating tales.
Join us at Uile-bheist in Inverness city centre, where great stories are told over great drinks. Indulge in the rich heritage of whisky and beer, immerse yourself in the magic of the River Ness, and embark on an unforgettable journey through taste and tradition.
We’re excited to be near the Inverness Castle Experience where you can compliment on the stories from uile-bheist to the rest of the Highlands of Scotland.
Bringing Uile-bheist to life
Our brewstillery’s name, our whisky and our beers all take inspiration from the myriad local tales of monsters, myths and legends passed down through the generations.
Uile-bheist brings these incredible stories back to life with the help of Melbourne-based illustrator and designer Ken Taylor.
Renowned for his pop culture artwork and striking rock posters – for musical artists including Metallica, Pearl Jam, Queens of The Stone Age, Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones – Ken’s signature lush detail and bold colour choices create a real sense of movement, making his artwork feel alive.
Featured on our packaging and throughout Uile-bheist Distillery and Brewery, you’ll soon be able to buy Ken’s artwork on our website, either as a stunning memento of your time with us or as a reminder to visit whenever you get a chance.
Come and see it for yourself…
Our Team
Owner: Jon
Taster in Chief, underqualified and generally in the way. If you’re looking for who’s really in charge, see next profile!
Owner: Victoria
Champion of sustainability, chief of smooth operation and head cheerleader. Allows Jon to think he’s running the show.
Head Distiller: Drew
Resident scientist, or artist, with all the best toys and definitely the best job. Last seen peering in to a whisky barrel.
Head Brewer: Currently recruiting will you be our next Head Brewer
This is not a role for someone who simply wants to keep the tanks turning. This is for someone who wants to create, innovate and help shape the future of an exciting and growing brewery. Contact recruitment@turashotels.com
HR Manager: Fiona
Looks after our family, so that we can look after yours, and makes sure our team is the best it can be, so we can deliver service to match.
Bar and Tour Manager: Fraser
Sustainability
Uile-bheist Distillery and Brewery is located in one of the most beautiful places on earth – Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland. We want it to stay that way for future generations, which is why sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.
Capitalising on the natural resources available to us, we use an innovative water source heat pump to harness heat from the water we draw from the River Ness and solar panels to generate our electricity, making Uile-bheist Distillery and Brewery one of the lowest carbon distilleries on the planet.
Together, these provide heating and hot water services for not just Uile-bheist Distillery and Brewery but also our neighbouring hotel, the Glen Mhor, apartments and Uile-behist Restaurant, saving an estimated 250 tonnes of carbon each year. A significant step towards achieving net zero emissions.
