Black Sheep Hotels Group reopened Inverness's former Strathness House Hotel as the Ambassador Hotel on 17 January 2026, after a £6 million restoration of two 1874 townhouses on the River Ness. The 14-room boutique hotel includes a new restaurant, Talk of the Town, and a library bar, The Other Room.
The essentials
Group Black Sheep Hotels
Opening January 2026
Rooms & suites 14 rooms
Segment Boutique luxury
Designer NC
Entry rate From £180 Learn more → The place The hotel occupies two adjoining Victorian townhouses on Ardross Terrace, on the banks of the River Ness in Inverness, within walking distance of the city centre.
The concept The Ambassador Hotel opened on 17 January 2026 inside the former Strathness House Hotel, two townhouses dating to 1874, following a £6 million restoration by Black Sheep Hotels Group. The 14 rooms and suites are individually designed and themed around 19th-century travel and the Scottish landscape, and the project marks the group's latest addition to a small portfolio of Scottish boutique properties.
Dining & wellness The opening includes two new venues: Talk of the Town, a continental and Indian restaurant named after a Bombay restaurant established in 1968 and led by corporate executive chef Sinclair Pinto, who has previously worked in Michelin-starred kitchens; and The Other Room, a library-style bar.
Our take A genuine upgrade rather than a cosmetic refresh: a full restoration and rebrand of a riverside Victorian property, with a specific culinary concept (Talk of the Town) rather than a generic hotel restaurant. Worth watching whether Black Sheep Hotels extends this model to other historic Highland buildings.
Google guest reviews 5.0/5 · 26 reviews
Wonderful and Memorable Stay
We had a wonderful stay at this hotel. The staff at both the hotel and restaurant were amazingly friendly, cheerful, and always ready to assist. Their warm hospitality truly made us feel welcome.
The rooms were beautifully decorated, each with its own unique theme and style. You can really see the thought, creativity, and effort that went into making the hotel both distinctive and pleasant.
We also had breakfast at the restaurant, and it was truly amazing—fresh, delicious, and a wonderful way to start the day.
The location is perfect, just a short distance from Inverness Castle and the beautiful park, making it very convenient for exploring the area.
This hotel was definitely one of the memorable highlights of our visit to Scotland. I would highly recommend staying here and would be happy to return.
Wonderful gem in Inverness! Attentive and welcoming staff. The hotel is beautifully designed, and has a very pleasent atmosphere. We stayed in the White Rose room, and it was gorgeous, extremely comfortable, and there were many amenities offered. The breakfast was terrific. I really loved everything about this hotel, highly recommend!!👍💯
I had an exceptional stay at the Ambassador Hotel, Inverness. The building is rich in character, with beautifully elegant interiors and an immaculately presented, comfortable room.
The service was truly outstanding, warm, attentive, and professional, with a genuine commitment to excellence. Although I was unable to stay for breakfast, the team kindly prepared a takeaway breakfast, which was both thoughtful and delicious.
The location is ideal, just moments from the river, cathedral, castle, and local amenities, perfect for exploring the city.
A refined and welcoming hotel with impeccable attention to detail. I would be delighted to return.
A truly wonderful experience at the Ambassador Hotel. The decor throughout is exquisite — elegant, beautifully styled and full of thoughtful detail, creating such a warm and luxurious atmosphere from the moment you arrive.
The food was excellent, beautifully presented and clearly prepared with great care and quality ingredients.
The staff were exceptional — professional, attentive and genuinely welcoming, ensuring everything was perfect throughout our visit. Their attention to detail and level of service really stands out.
A memorable experience all round and somewhere I would very happily recommend. I very much look forward to returning.
The Embassador has absolutely earned their five-star rating. From the moment you walk in you were meant to feel very welcome and like royalty. The service was absolutely impeccable. The room was well-appointed and the rain shower was wonderful. From the complimentary homemade chocolate chip pecan cookies located in the lobby to the extraordinary breakfast and the on-site Indian restaurant, everything is delicious. Cozy bar and first class service all the way. Our flight was early in the morning and they made sure we had a taxi and boxed up some breakfast for us to eat at the airport while waiting for our flight. Also, great location and walking distance to pretty much everything. Make sure to take a stroll along the River Ness.
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