Iain with the Claymore Trophy beside his piece, "Taste of Scotland"
Local chainsaw artist, Iain Chalmers, from the Black Isle, today won the Carve Carrbridge Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Championship for the second time in a row with his ‘Taste of Scotland’ carving – a totem pole carving featuring a Scottish terrier, salmon, squirrel and thistles and topped with a highland cow – which also saw him win the “People’s Choice” award.
Commenting on how his winning carving came to fruition, Iain said: “last year the logs were long and narrow so I thought to do a tall carving. I tried to make a Scottish totem pole and put in as many separate carvings as possible into it.”
Iain explained that he had been drawing the carving for the last few days but still had to make significant changes to the design. “I had to think on my feet,” he said.
Daniel Cordell from England took second place with ‘Highland Takeaway’ a dynamic carving of an eagle swooping down on a fawn. Daniel, who 
has been carving for 14 years, said his carving was inspired by his love of Scottish wildlife.
American carver, Brett Mclean, was awarded third place with ‘Frog on Thistle.’
Jordan Anderson of the USA won Best New Entrant with ‘Kalin Warrior’.
The event was filmed by BBC Landward with presenter Euan McIlwraith participiating in the Quick Carve competition which gives carvers just 30 minutes to create a piece.
The BBC Landward feature is to be broadcast on Friday 30 September.
Photographs from Carve Carrbridge
Photos by Fergus Thom
