Meet the Team

Coming Together

Carrbridge is a village of around 800 residents with immense community spirit and pride.

Carve Carrbridge is now in it’s 23rd year and in 2025 we counted over 110 volunteers who make the event the success it has become –  year on year.

Without their support, this event would not happen.
We rely heavily on our day volunteers and volunteer coordinators doing jobs such as Traffic Management, the Gate Team, Auction team, the team that very few people see who feed the Carvers and volunteers as well as those who help set up and clear the venue in the days before and after the event and other volunteers doing everything in between, before and after.

Throughout the year a core group of volunteers coordinate the event so here is a brief introduction to the 2026 team.

Event Coordinator– Gavin Gerrard
Gavin has led the Carve team since 2006 drawing on his skills as a Project manager delivering infrastructure projects for an international construction company.  He is Chair of the community charity Carr-Bridge Ahead  which invests the proceeds from the event to local good causes.

When he isn’t working or volunteering for the Carve and Carrbridge Path Maintenance Group, he is often off on his bike, skis, kayak in Scotland, France, Norway, USA, Alaska etc, etc………..(you get the picture).

“Since first getting involved with the Carve two things have always really impressed me. Firstly the talent and creativity of the carvers and also the incredible number of local volunteers and businesses, who year on year, give their time and support to make the event possible.  It is a real credit to this community and a privilege to be able to play a part in that.”

Carvers Coordinator – Ross MacDonald
Ross took over as Carvers Coordinator in 2025, in between training and competing in Iron Man events, working,  being a Volunteer Fire Fighter in our Community Fire Brigade. Ross has been a great addition to the team bringing fresh ideas and loads of energy to the team.

Merchandising  Coordinator- Lara Campbell
Lara is our longest serving team member and has been involved since the start of the event. She has fulfilled a number of roles on the team over the years.
Lara is employed by sponsor Landmark Forest Adventure Park having worked for many years in Hospitality.
Usually found behind the camera rather than in front of it, Lara keeps the merchandise portfolio running smoothly.
This selfie was taken by Karen one Midsummer night . Karen also volunteers on the day as part of the merchandise team and with the Event Press Releases which is of course the purpose of this meeting!!

Stalls and Traders Coordinator– Shona Rankin

Now retired, Shona is a hugely active volunteer in the community throughout the year. She is admin of  Carrbridge Community Orchard and rumour has it she has been known to dabble with the Ukulele.
Shona ensures we have a high quality offer of stalls  including local charities and volunteer groups raising funds for their activities and all the logistics behind the scenes.

Food and Beverage Coordinator – Karen Stewart

Karen joined the team for the early planning stages in 2020.  She demonstrated her versatility when the event went online by producing a video of the popular Carrbridge Carving Trail . Karen is responsible for the onsite Food and Beverage offer.  She coordinates the Beer Tent team, the volunteers who refuel the Carvers and volunteers, is the contact for the PTC who raised funds by delivering in the T Tent and ensures our visitors have a choice of refreshments from local suppliers and voluntary organisations. Karen is also a Trustee of Carr-Bridge Ahead.

Activities Coordinator – Donna Murray

Donna is a trustee of Carr-bridge Ahead and Chair of the Village Hall. A well connected person with lots to offer to the event. Donna is a Trustee of Carr-Bridge Ahead.

Field Coordinator – Gavin Gerrard

Gavin ( event coordinator) has fulfilled this role for the last couple of years with a highly skilled and honed team who are ‘Ninjas’ when it comes to putting up the tents, gazebos, tarpaulins, crowd barriers and so on.

 Parking Team  – Alan Rankin

Alan is multitalented and is also the Chieftain for our sister event the Golden Spurtle.   Recently retired Alan is a keen Yachtsman  and photographer and has has a keen eye for detail and works closely with day leads and volunteers to deliver the start of the day and end of the day contact with the public. Alan has is also a trustee of Carrbridge Ahead 

Treasurer and Auction Team Coordinator – David Henderson

David has been part of the Auction Team for a few years and has now stepped into the lead for this team. Ensuring the Auction Goes smoothly and the Carvings go in the right direction at the end of the day.

Publicity and Media Coordinator – Margarete Paschke
Margarete has just retired as a lecturer at the University of the Highlands and Islands.  She has been involved in the event for a number of years as a day volunteer as part of the Gate Team. Her tasks include managing the website, social media for the event and press / media enquiries. Margarete is chair of Carrbridge Community Orchard