Saturday 8th December: Boquhan Christmas Fayre, free entry, also doing cafe with soup and pies and mulled wine! at Boquhan estates, just after the Kippen roundabout. 9am-4pm
Chris's Wood
Chris has always had a passion for wood that started from a
young age making walking sticks for him and his pals and old Mr
Cane (!) got a few too! Then in High School he discovered the
delights of 'techy' and on winning the senior prize he thought to
approach Mr McCormack, joiner and cabinet maker, who was taking on
an apprentice but his son got the place! Badminton then took over
and adult working life but a penknife and a stick or two were never
far away! When Victoria met Chris it wasn't long before his artisan
abilities became obvious; an avid 'comber' of not only beaches, but
mountains and the odd skip, which were then turned into mixed media
art, wee sculptures and recycled (see skip!!) tables were made into
shelves, hutches and workbenches. The original womble!
When he made his home at Lochend in 1994 it rekindled his interest
in wood, due to an abundance of his favourite medium and also
father-in-law James had a lathe - *shoogely though
it was, the pair whiled away some evenings making plates and
chopping boards. After a few years, some training with master
turner Tracy Owen and a new lathe, Chris started producing some
work that he now supplies to galleries and shops. Still not his
main job (because that septic tank won't clean itself Chris - note
from editor/wife!) he works at Lochend, and has produced some
tables, work surfaces, shutters, lamp bases and knobs for the
chalets. From that there have been several commissions.
He recognises that his work in wood is shaped by the patterns that
lie within the natural grain of the wood. 'I start with an idea but
the life of the wood ultimately tells me where I'm going.'
Whilst here you can arrange to view his work and/or purchase a
beautifully crafted piece of wood. Most of the wood used is from
Lochend and the rest is locally sourced windblown timber or
reclaimed wood from Sustained Woodlands Charitable Trusts. This is
important to Chris as it reflects the natural harmony that he feels
lies within all aspects of his work.
*Shoogely - scots word for wobbly!!
A selection of Chris Carroll's wood turning bowls and handmade furniture
