About WildChild Designs

Wildchild designs & Robin Wood

Self taught artist, Robin Wood, started out with a passion for detailed illustration and a love of the outdoors at a young age (including fixing old bikes). Appropriately named, Robin Wood naturally ventured towards a diverse career outdoors after gaining an HND in Countryside Conservation and Recreation – his first job was to establish a new nature reserve for the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. From nature reserves he graduated onto forestry, woodland management then tree surgery. Discovering he could use a chainsaw to carve wood, he has since not looked back. His creative skills in illustration, technical drawing – and further gaining a City and Guilds qualification in Mechanical Engineering – have all proved essential skills in designing and creating his work to date.

Customer Testimonials

We are proud of the positive feedback and comments we get from our clients, both public and private, and most of all from the enjoyment children of all ages get from our work. Here are just a few testimonials our clients have been kind enough to share:

WildChild Designs clients include:
• Woodland Trust Scotland
• Edinburgh Zoo
• Grounds for Learning
• Forestry Commission
• National Trust for Scotland
• Whale Arts
• Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust
• Secondary and Primary Schools, Central Belt, Scotland
• Fife Council
• Edinburgh Council
• Cambo Estate
• Channel Four / Endemol UK

Stephen Woollard

Head of Discovery & Learning, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh.

“I was delighted to be able to commission Robin on three different occasions to create animal sculptures for RZSS Edinburgh Zoo. For each piece he took the brief, and appropriate reference material, and produced what we required on time and budget. It was great that during the creation we could see photos of stages of work and also visit to see it, and so Robin could check that the work was what we wanted.
The large sculptures of penguin and chicks, tiger, and giant panda are great unique pieces of wooden art that are hands-on and appreciated and photographed by hundreds of thousands of people visiting Edinburgh Zoo. They are robust and have weathered well. Robin is not only a talented sculptor and creator but has a passion for his work, the environment and engaging children and his ethos fitted well with our conservation and environmental mission and passion for educating all ages through diverse types of interpretation and design. I am happy to recommend Robin and WildChild Designs”.

Alan Mitchell

Site manager Woodland Trust Scotland

“In 2014 after tendering for work, I contracted Robin to create a range of sculptures and access features for the Woodland Trust in Livingston. Working with Robin has been fun because he is very approachable and flexible when creating new sculptures. The Tootflits & Glingbobs trail at Bellsquarry is already attracting many new visitors to the wood…and we haven’t even promoted it yet!”

Camille Archer

Arts Officer-Visual and Public Art Community Art, Howden Park Centre

“As part of the Grassroots Public Art Project, artist Robin Wood was enthusiastic and positive when working with local residents, other artists, children and council officers. His workshops were fun for the children and his sculpture ‘Under the Sky TV’ is now very much a well-loved part of the playground of Boghall primary school.”

Steve Moizer

Development Officer Learning Through Landscapes Scotland (GFL).

“Grounds for Learning is the national school grounds charity in Scotland supporting nurseries, primaries and high schools to make the best use of their grounds for learning and play.
Robin has supported several primary schools we have worked with providing a high quality design service and creating a variety of bespoke wooden play resources within the grounds.
Robin is happy to work alongside children and is adaptable and flexible in his approach.”

Kelly Hoppen

MBE Kelly Hoppen interiors

“I thoroughly enjoy working with creative energetic people with a good understanding of how to achieve the desired end product and Robin Wood from Wildchild Designs is one of these people.”

Jill Aitken

Site Manager Woodland Trust Scotland

“Robin has produced some fantastic wooden carvings for our sculpture trail at Moncreiffe Hill and drawn a great map for our treasure hunt kids leaflet. My favourite carvings are the slug seat and wood ant split in half.”

Rebecca Whitley

Sponsorship manager for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (Edinburgh Zoo)

“I have worked with Robin on a number of occasions and his work is always outstanding, creative and inspiring. He really knows how to create sculptures and equipment that are truly engaging for children and adults alike. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him for outdoor play trail commissions and other wood sculptures.”

Lady Catherine Erskine

Cambo House, Kingsbarns, Fife

“The Glingbobs and Tootflits trail at Cambo has been a resounding success. Children are enchanted by the doors and windows, many often reporting they have seen more than are actually there! The trail leads them through the woodlands, encouraging observation and discovery, enticing them to walk just a bit further.
None can resist the magic gate and the map is a lovely memento to take home and colour in. When funds allow, we plan to extend the trail and add more features.”

Andrew Fairbairn

Communications and Development Manager Woodland Trust Scotland

“The Woodland Trust Scotland owns and manages properties all over the country. At some of our most visited woods we have invested in improving the visitor experience and Robin Wood has played a big role in making that happen He has great ideas which are engaging and unique. He works with natural materials which is important for us.
It started at Pressmennan Wood where we wanted to try some interpretation which enabled visitors to use their imagination and enjoy the place in whatever way they liked, and Robin had an idea. So we used the wood to create a home for Glingbobs and Tootflits. These magical creatures now roam around the wood and children love to visit and look for them. There are tell tale signs all over the place and visitor numbers, particularly families, have definitely increased. We have asked Robin to come up with new ideas in at least three other woods where we want to attract more people and make it fun for families in particular. In each case the woods have become more popular and the installations have been novel and spark the imagination.So If you want play equipment or carvings for children, I would recommend Robin Wood.”

Ross McGregor

Director of Operations | Archerfield Walled Garden

“Archerfield Estates Ltd has worked with Robin over 2 projects to date for our Fairy Trail. Robin has built a stunning fairy throne complete with giant wings and mushrooms. He has also built the main entrance door to our fairy trail in Archerfield woods. The quality of workmanship is exceptional. Robin is careful to create a piece that is not only visually striking, but can last the test of time with little up keep required.
We have always found Robin to be detailed in his planning with excellent drawings that really capture his vision of the final piece. He is thorough in his communication and incredibly creative in taking ideas and making them a reality. A very talented individual with a genuine love for what he does. We would highly recommend Robin for any future projects and are happy to discuss his work in more in detail should it be required.”