Award-winning Scottish hospitality operator Buzzworks has unveiled The Bass & Barrel as the new name for the former Nether Abbey Hotel in North Berwick, with bookings for overnight stays now available online.
The East Lothian venue will reopen on Tuesday 20 October following a significant seven-figure redevelopment, marking the latest step in Buzzworks’ expansion into accommodation and its growing pub, restaurant and rooms concept.
The new name pays tribute to the venue’s location, combining North Berwick’s iconic Bass Rock with the barrel, one of the oldest and most recognisable symbols of the traditional public house.
Part of Buzzworks’ signature House Collection, The Bass & Barrel is being transformed into a modern pub, restaurant and rooms venue where guests can eat, drink and stay while making the most of everything the seaside town has to offer.
Its 12 bedrooms are set to provide a base for golf breaks, coastal stays and overnight visits in one of Scotland’s best-loved seaside destinations.
Led by internationally acclaimed designer Jim Hamilton, the redevelopment will create an open-plan pub and restaurant, while the new rooms have been designed to reflect the House Collection’s timeless, stylish and comfortable aesthetic.
The project is intended to offer a contemporary base for staycations, family visits, golf trips and business travel, while strengthening the local accommodation offer in the heart of East Lothian.
Kenny Blair, CEO at Buzzworks, said the name marked a major milestone in the transformation of the much-loved North Berwick venue and brought the business one step closer to welcoming guests in October.
“We wanted a name that celebrated the local area, recognised the iconic Bass Rock on our doorstep and reflected the timeless tradition of the great Scottish pub,” he said. “The Bass & Barrel captures exactly that.”
He added that the venue would aim to be a welcoming space for local people as well as visitors, whether they are stopping in for coffee, meeting for a drink, enjoying a meal or celebrating a special occasion.
“We can’t wait to open the doors and look forward to welcoming familiar faces and first-time visitors as we begin this exciting new chapter for the venue,” he said.
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The bedrooms will be offered in four categories – snug, comfy, spacious and sumptuous – with boutique styling and thoughtful details including premium linen, statement artwork, Roberts radios and rainfall showers. The largest rooms will also be suitable for families.
Bookings for overnight stays are now open ahead of the venue’s official public opening on Tuesday 20 October.
Buzzworks is a B Corp-certified business and has been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Companies to Work for for ten consecutive years. The group currently operates 25 award-winning bars and restaurants across Scotland and was named Best Managed Pub Company in the UK under 51 sites at the 2025 Publican Awards.
