What are you at? This is it: Sandy Robertson's fantastical wood carvings

Alexander "Sandy" Robertson's life has been all about trees.

Using small hand tools, the retired forestry scientist carves fantastical figures and scenes out of wood, salvaged from trees in his suburban St. John's garden.

"The point is enjoy the carving," said Robertson.

"It teaches me to think."

Drawing from his heritage

Robertson's home is filled with his carvings, some depicting scenes from his native Scotland's history and heritage, others depicting scenes carved out of his own imagination.

When Robertson isn't carving intricate scenes in wood, he's busy writing articles for a forestry journal in Scotland, tending to his woodland garden, and playing the bagpipes.

He said playing the bagpipes helps him with his carving projects.

If you're going at this [carving] and you run into a problem," said Robertson, "There's nothing better to clear the air and get thinking again than blasting away at the pipes. "

"And then you come back [to the carving] and 'Ah! I know exactly what to do with that thing.'"

Do you have an interesting weekend project or hobby? Tell us what YOU are at. Email wam@cbc.ca or tweet @CBCWam.

You can hear What are you at? This is it Saturdays on Weekend AM from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in Labrador) on CBC Radio One.