This award is made to the professional course student who showed exceptional design skill.

This year’s recipient was Ross Cunnison, originally from Aberdeenshire but now living in Edinburgh.

He first came to the Chippendale school on a one-week introductory course.

Ross previously worked offshore for ten years in the oil and gas sector.

Prior to that he studied geophysics at the University of Edinburgh.

He proved that a relatively simple piece of furniture can be made wonderful with creative talent.

That was particularly evident in his Olive Ash side cabinet or credenza.

It had two beautifully-dovetailed drawers and two cupboards, perhaps for spirits bottles and glasses and vinyl records.

But the creative flourish of this piece was that it incorporated a waterfall edge.

The grain of the wood perfectly fell from the cabinet’s top and down its sides, turning a functional piece of furniture into something very special.

His portfolio also included a coffee table in Walnut and Oak, and a hall table in solid Oak.

Ross is going forwards with his furniture making business, Ross Cunnison Bespoke Furniture.