Aberdeenshire dealership, Strathbogie Forest and Garden, is celebrating its official opening this weekend (2nd - 3rd April 2016), with the help of some national STIHL TIMBERSPORTS athletes.


Strathbogie Forest and Garden's new premises

Two members of the British team and the head trainer will be traveling to Scotland to saw, chop and slice at speed at the new, purpose-built Strathbogie premises, located close to the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen. It will be the first time STIHL TIMBERSPORTS has held an event in Scotland.

Strathbogie store owners, father and son duo Robert and Pete McArthur, are delighted to host members of the team for the official opening.

Pete says, "We have invested £400,000 in our new premises - five times the size of our previous store. With a new and improved showroom, workshops, office space and product display areas - this rebuild has breathed new life into our business. We can't wait to share the new building with our community that has supported us throughout the years.

"The team at Strathbogie are inviting all locals to come by and enjoy the thrilling STIHL TIMBERSPORTS demonstrations, live chainsaw woodcarving and games for the whole family."

STIHL TIMBERSPORTS is an international lumberjack sports competition. The sport sees elite lumberjack athletes show their epic strength and precision as they compete in six disciplines - the Underhand Chop, Standing Block Chop, Springboard, Stock Saw, Single Buck and Hot Saw. The British team members, Rob Chatley (2014 British Champion and current British team member) and Chris Pratt (current British team member) will be demonstrating the disciplines over the two days, while Spike Milton (former British Champion and International STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Trainer) will be explaining the various skills to onlookers. The event is good preparation for Rob and Chris as they train for this year's British Championships in August 2016.


Chris Pratt

Spike, who is also STIHL's Global Sporting Director, says, "STIHL TIMBERSPORTS is a serious sport in Great Britain thanks to its connection to traditional lumber jacking, a practise that is deeply rooted in this country's heritage. Today it is a fast-paced, highly skilled sport that attracts millions of viewers worldwide. We are thrilled to introduce Scotland to the electrifying sport."

Strathbogie Forest and Garden, formally Strathbogie Saw Service, opened more than 30 years ago as a forestry focussed dealership, owned by William Grant. Robert and Pete bought the business in 2000 - developing it into an all-encompassing gardening and forestry dealership. Today, the dealership sells cutting-edge technology including robotic mowers and the STIHL cordless tool system.

Pete says, "In the last five years we have purchased five acres of land and erected this magnificent new building for our customers to enjoy. But what hasn't changed is the values of our family-owned business that promises quality products and unwavering service to all of our customers. We invite all locals to come and celebrate the new store at our opening weekend event."

The Strathbogie Forest and Garden opening weekend event runs from 9am until 4pm on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd April 2016.