By Alasdair Fraser

Copyright inverness-courier

For more than four decades, his gents’ hairdressing skills were regarded as a cut above the rest.

Lords, MPs, footballers and the odd international TV presenter joined the tens of thousands of customers from in and around Inverness popping in for a trim.

Chris Crook is now preparing to pass the clippers to fresh ownership at the iconic city salon at Ardconnel Terrace in the city’s Crown area.

A true Inverness institution and barbering cornerstone, the business is being taken on by local entrepreneurs Brian Widdison of Cult Cuts and Sarah-Jane Lauder of Black Ivy.

The duo plan to honour the Chris Crook heritage while introducing a contemporary twist to men’s and women’s grooming.

The establishment was born in 1977 after Chris began his career under the guidance of hairdressing brother Ralph Crook, honing his craft at London’s prestigious Allan International Hairdressing School.

In 1981, he established Inverness’s first dedicated gents’ hairdresser, pioneering a standard of excellence with the salon quickly becoming known as a place where style met tradition.

A measure of Chris’s status as a master of the craft came in the fact that generations of the same family would keep coming back.

Brian and Sarah-Jane’s complementary ventures – Cult Cuts, a modern male grooming brand, and Black Ivy, a luxury brow and lash studio – have flourished in a shared space on Denny Street.

Their move to the historic Ardconnel Terrace location will seek to preserve the salon’s legendary reputation, enhanced by “a refreshed, modern aesthetic and expanded services for both men and women”.

On one occasion, with France’s version of Top Gear filming at Achnasheen, Chris was personally summoned for a £350 job, with the rather vain French equivalent of Jeremy Clarkson requiring only a minor trim of the fringe.

Brian said: “Chris Crook has set an incredibly high standard, not just in barbering, but in creating a space where clients feel valued and at ease.

“Our aim is to honour that legacy while evolving the salon to reflect today’s grooming trends and luxury experience.”

Sarah-Jane Lauder added, “We’re excited to blend the personal touch Chris has been known for with a modern, high-end environment. Our vision is to make the salon a destination for everyone in Inverness seeking exceptional grooming in a welcoming setting.”

Operations at both the Denny Street and Ardconnel Terrace locations will continue as normal until early 2026, ensuring clients enjoy a seamless transition.

Plans are already underway for a full refurbishment of the historic Ardconnel Terrace space, designed to provide a luxurious, contemporary environment with an expanded menu of services alongside beloved classics.

Reflecting on the change, Chris said, “It is a real privilege to have served the Inverness community for over 40 years.

“I’m deeply grateful to all my loyal clients, many of whom have become friends. I’m thrilled to see the salon continue and evolve, and I wish Brian and Sarah-Jane every success in carrying forward its legacy.”

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