It has been eight years since an Inverness family took over the city’s only crazy golf course.
Gus MacDonald runs Inverness Crazy Golf on Bught Road, near Bught Park, alongside his mum, Beth.
After a complete gut of the site in 2016, the pair now offer 15 miniature golf holes as well as several other attractions – including football, pool and remote-control cars.
The award-winning business has grown its own community in the Highland capital and Gus is keen to keep them happy.
How family have built crazy golf community
Gus said the golf course sits in a “historically tired” part of Inverness.
He is keen to ensure it is worth customers travelling to.
He said: “I assume the old golf course had been put in some time in the 1970s — there were no obstacles or anything.
“When we took over, we completely gutted the place and added in all of our own attractions and holes.
“It has been long hours and a lot of hard work developing it over the years, but I absolutely love it.”
The customers are everything to Gus and his mum who are always looking at ways of giving back.
Gus added: “Judging by reviews a lot of people are very fond of what we offer. In many ways its grown into its own little community.
“We have regulars who you see every day and people who pop in every weekend — we’re so grateful.”
The business has its own picnic area, as well as a coffee and ice-cream kiosk.
It is open from February to November, weather permitting.
Inverness Crazy Golf ‘always developing’
Gus wants to keep the business “as fresh as possible” by continuously adding to its offerings.
He said: “We want to be innovative and keep it interesting so customers are getting their value for money.
“If not, it becomes boring and you may end up in losing your customers. It has helped hugely in our success.
“Currently, we have 15 holes and are just about to add a 16th. We’re hoping to take it up to 18.
“When we built the course it was designed so we could always add more.
“We reinvest so much of what we make; I think it’s vitally important.”
Gus is full of appreciation for his customers and the opportunities the business has presented him with.
He added: “You meet new people all the time and the reputation is growing year-on-year.
“It’s difficult to describe how grateful we are of every person and every penny spent here.”
How business became part of crime novel and plans to set world record
Famous faces such as strongman Tom Stoltman and author Neil Lancaster have visited the business.
After a conversation with the latter, Gus and his golf course have found their way into a crime novel.
Gus said: “Neil Lancaster came in and I asked what he was writing at that moment.
“After finding out it was based in Inverness I cheekily asked if I could be included – and to my shock he agreed.
“Inverness Crazy Golf has a mention and there is even a character named Gus. It’s amazing.”
Gus and his business feature in The Night Watch. Now, the businessman is looking to write his way into a new book with a world record.
He added: “There are a couple of things I’m thinking of doing. One is a 24-hour challenge for charity.
“It’s in the pipelines and I’ve checked the records. The longest ever game of mini-golf is also 24 hours.
“The plan would be to raise money for 24 charities – another way of us giving back to the community.”
Conversation