Scottish carpenter ditches his Denny job to

Stuart took his joinery skills to the South Pole.

Stuart Gray joined the team moving the ice base before it began to float into the ocean.

Stirlingshire carpenter Stuart Gray has just completed a mercy mission to save the scientific base from floating off into the Antarctic Ocean.

Working in sub- zero temperatures, the 48- year- old helped move the 350- tonne base 15 miles inland after a huge crevasse threatened to spread round it and cut it off.

“It was incredible,” said the Denny- based worker. “The joinery skills required were just the same as those needed to build kitchens, bars or shops back home.”

Stuart flew out to the South Pole from South Africa on a Russian transport plane to join up with team members working with the British Antarctic Survey. Hailing from rainy Denny, nothing could prepare him for the stunning beauty of the sub-zero wasteland.

Once transferred to the British base, Stuart set to work moving it to safety.

“A crevasse was opening up and we had to move fast before it could cut the base off,” Stuart said.

“Two huge bulldozers and tractors were to used haul the buildings weighing up to 350 tonnes 15 miles inland.

“I was involved in helping to hitch and secure them for the move.” Stuart had to toil in - 24C temperatures, wrapped in multiple

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