Macduff Aquarium seafront cafe and restaurant partnership
Aberdeenshire Council has announced a new partnership with hospitality company Maré Brasil which has been selected to operate the cafe and restaurant within Macduff Aquarium’s new seafront extension.
The appointment follows a competitive selection process and marks an important milestone in the redevelopment of Macduff Aquarium.
Supported by £6 million from the UK Local Regeneration Fund alongside capital investment from Aberdeenshire Council and financial support from the Scottish Government and the Friends of Macduff Aquarium, the project forms a central part of the ambitious “Cultural Tides: North Sea Connections in Aberdeenshire” programme, which also includes construction of the landmark museum of Aberdeenshire in Peterhead.
Located on the shores of the Moray Firth, the redeveloped aquarium will include a second-storey extension with panoramic views over the coast and into the aquarium’s centre-piece tank.
The new hospitality space will enhance the visitor offer, support the local economy and provide a welcoming venue for residents, tourists, community groups and event guests.
Macduff Aquarium manager Claire Matthews (left) welcomes Maré Brasil mother-and-son team Angela and Otavio Ferreira to exciting new attraction
Maré Brasil will operate from this new space, offering food and drink throughout aquarium opening hours, as well as evening opening and special event opportunities. The stylish coastal cafe and restaurant will seat up to 65 guests and offer family-friendly menus celebrating locally-sourced ingredients with a Brazilian twist which reflects the owners' heritage.
The partnership will add an international flavour to the aquarium experience while complementing the venue’s focus on the marine life, habitats and coastal environment of the Moray Firth.
Maré Brasil is family-led and driven by mother-and-son team Angela and Otavio Ferreira. Otavio said: “We are absolutely delighted to be joining Macduff Aquarium in such a special location. For us, Maré Brasil is about bringing together warm Brazilian hospitality, fresh food and excellent customer service in a setting which already has such a strong connection with the local community and the Moray Firth. My mum and I are really excited to share a taste of Brazil with visitors while working closely with the aquarium team to create something welcoming, family-friendly and unique for Macduff.”
On behalf of Live Life Aberdeenshire which runs the aquarium, Head of Service Allan Rae said: “The new cafe and restaurant is an important part of our wider plans to enhance the visitor experience at Macduff Aquarium. Maré Brasil will bring a new and welcoming offer to the redeveloped venue, creating a space where visitors and the local community can enjoy quality food, excellent service and outstanding views across the Moray Firth here in the north- east of Scotland.”
With an autumn opening drawing ever closer, work on the internal fit-out of the incredible new Macduff Aquarium continues apace. Behind the scenes, teams are carefully progressing the final stages of the project to ensure the new facility delivers a truly exceptional visitor experience from day one.
Allan Rae explained: “As you would expect with a leading aquarium housing live marine animals, this is a delicate operation. Every element of the fit-out and display development is being carried out with the utmost care to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the species that will call the aquarium home.
“While there is still work to be completed before the doors can reopen, exciting progress is being made and visitors will not have long to wait. Full details on opening dates, menus and event bookings will be announced in due course.”