Carve Carrbridge 2025
- Michelle's Monologues
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
The Scottish Highland village of Carrbridge was carving its way through the 22nd Carve Carrbridge this past weekend. The 19 competitors from around Scotland, UK, and beyond looked like they way cutting their way through butter, but it was in fact 90ft pieces of Sitka Spruce! Some of the earliest known woodcarvings date back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, where artisans adorned furniture, tombs, and temples with intricate carvings. Here is why you should put Carve Carrbridge in your diary for 2026.
Carve Carrbridge 2025
About Carve Carrbridge
Inspired by Tom Jones, a local mountaineer, kayaker, and golden eagle advocate who championed the idea of a community gathering back in 2003. It has gone from strength to strength. Now known as the Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Competition, it attracts artists from around the world. This year's Best New Entrant was awarded to Sorin Iosipescu from Romania with his carving "The Eagles Claim". The event's success is attributed to the incredible 100 hard-working volunteers, sponsors (Landmark Forest Adventure Park, who sponsor the People's Choice award and provide their car park, Help Management, who are sponsoring the Best New Entrant category, BSW Timber LTD, and MKM Aviemore), and supportive community spirit.
Carve Carrbridge 2025 Competitors
Shane Green (English) Competing for his third time.
Ian Williams (Welsh) Competing in his 8th Year.
Gary Orange (English) Debut in 2024.
Lisa Langley (British) Carved for the first time last year.
Julian Carter (English) Known for winning Best New Entrant in the past.
Mike Burgess (English) Has participated multiple times.
Iain Chalmers (Scottish) A local carver with a history of consistent placement.
Jonny Stapleford (British) 2nd place in 2023 with 'Ya Wee Dancer'.
Sorin Iosipescu (Romanian) One of Two New Entrants for 2025
Derek Bailey (Irish) Another New Entrant for 2025
Michael Jones (English) Michael's hound was a big hit in 2024, and he took first place at the prestigious CHETWYND International Chainsaw carving competition in the U.S.A.
Raimondas Uzdravos (Lithuanian) Returning competitor.
Kaspian Askham (Welsh) The youngest carver in a previous year.
Steeley (Scottish) In his 10th year of competing.
Danny Thomas (Welsh) A multi-year competitor and mentor.
Roni MacDonald (Scottish) A veteran who has competed at every Carve Carrbridge event since its inception.
Alice Buttress (Scottish) Local talent.
Pete Bowsher (British) Regular legend.
Sam Bowsher (Scottish) Won in 2022 and took third place in 2023 and 2024.
Judging Carve Carrbridge
Each competitor carved a large wooden sculpture from a piece of Sitka Spruce over 4 hours, and then a quick 30-minute carve. Judged by three judges (chief judge Rosie Reid) across three sections technical skill/difficulty (40%), artistic/creative merit (40%), and originality (20%). Competitors are only allowed to use a chainsaw and a burner.
Carve Carrbridge 2025 On The Day
0945 Gates Open
0950 Carvers Piped Into Carving Arena
1000 Carving Competition Commences
Stalls, Activities, Food, Beverages Open For Business
1200 Badenock and Strathspey Pipe Band
1300 Carving Competition Resumes (After Lunch Break)
1500 - 1530 Judging & Pipe Band
1530 - 1600 Quick Carve
1615 Prize Giving
1630 Grand Auction
1730 Event Closes
2000 Carve Ceilidh in Carrbridge Village Hall (Tickets £10pp)
Tickets for Carve Carrbridge can be bought in advance via the website or at the gate. If tickets are bought in advance, you can go fast track!
Adults 16+ £10, Child 5 - 15 £4 (must be accompanied by an adult), Under 5 Free, No Concessions.
Carve Carrbridge 2025 Winners
1st place - Sam Bowsher with 'It’s Friesian Out Here' (£600 prize money from Highland RoboFlail and an electric chainsaw provided by Stihl UK, as well as the Tom Jones Memorial Claymore Trophy).
2nd place – Raimondas Uzdravos with his creation 'King of the Sky'.
3rd place – Pete Bowsher with his sculpture 'Off to the Woods to do what Bears do'.
Best New Entrant – Sorin Iosipescu with his carving, 'The Eagles Claim'.
Carvers Choice – Sam Bowsher.
Peoples Choice – Sam Bowsher.
A huge congratulations!!
Carve Carrbridge 2025 was a huge success with over 2,500 people visiting, and some going home with incredible one-off pieces of art for their homes and gardens.
While visiting Carrbridge you might like to enjoy the woodland trail with over 40 chainsaw carvings - Carrbridge Carving Trail.
Comments