The two businessmen who rescued the Scottish Deer Centre near Cupar from administration have ambitious expansion plans for the tourist attraction.
These include doubling current staff numbers, as well as attracting many more visitors and adding to the already-extensive collection of animals.
The pair now at the helm of the enterprise are David Hamilton, whose background is in computer games, and Gavin Findlay, who is involved in construction.
They purchased the park in May 2021.
‘I couldn’t let Scottish Deer Centre close’
Chief executive David said the Scottish Deer Centre has always been part of his life.
“My brothers and I went as kids, and it then carried on when we all started having children – especially taking the youngsters to see Santa every year,” he said.
“When I saw it was in administration, I couldn’t let it close down.”
David contacted Gavin, and they struck a deal for the 55-acre park, which has been in existence since 1986.
He explained: “We felt we could add more interaction in the park for families, making it a full day out, rather than just a half-day out.
“We have invested around £2 million so far, and will continue to invest with the income the park generates. We have ambitious plans.”
There is a wide variety of attractions at the site, and their number continues to grow.
Staff numbers double as footfall increases
At the start of this year, the Scottish Deer Centre officially unveiled its new £28,000 Buccaneer jet to the public.
The ex-RAF fighter plane saw active service in the first Gulf War in 1991. And it was also used during a UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus.
When the new owners took over the park, there were 17 staff and 135 animals.
David said things have been going very well to date, with financial turnover trebling and footfall is ahead by 50%.
Employee numbers have now doubled and there are 169 animals.
The collection includes 12 species of deer as well as wolves, European brown bears, Asian short-claw otters, Northern lynx and Scottish wildcats.
The chief executive said one of the most-popular attractions at the park is feeding the deer.
“Adults love it as much as the kids, and the deer are so gentle that this activity is suitable for all ages.”
Visitor numbers are at their biggest in summer, when there are as many as 3,500 people a week coming through the doors, but this falls to about 500 a week in winter.
Customers come from all over the UK.
David said: “We get all types of people – everything from families, to couples on their first date, to elderly folk coming to see the Buccaneer aircraft and have a soup and a sandwich.”
Other venues are not competition
David said he does not see other zoo ventures as competitors.
He added: “It is very much like the games industry where we want to help each other out.”
Looking to the future, David said: “It will take us more than five years to get there with our ambitious plans.
“However, within that five-year period, staff numbers will more than likely be doubled again.
“I also hope we can add at least another 50% from current footfall – if not 100%.
“I would love for us to have added some really rare animals and help with even more conservation. It’s a big thing for us and the staff.”
Conversation