Quick Read
- John MacKay is concluding a 31-year career at STV after four decades in the journalism industry.
- The veteran presenter is known for covering significant events like the 2014 independence referendum and the Dunblane shooting.
- MacKay plans to focus on life beyond the newsroom, having already established a successful career as an author and screenwriter.
GLASGOW (Azat TV) – After more than three decades as a foundational presence in Scottish broadcasting, news presenter John MacKay has announced he is stepping away from his role at STV. The departure marks the conclusion of a 31-year tenure at the network and a broader career in journalism spanning four decades.
Reflecting on a Career in Scottish Journalism
MacKay’s journey into the media began with the encouragement of a school teacher who recognized his passion for writing. Before joining STV in the 1990s, he gained experience in newspapers and a stint at the BBC. Reflecting on his transition from a newspaper delivery boy fascinated by headlines to a lead anchor, MacKay characterized his time at the network as a privilege, noting that it is now time to allow the next generation to take the lead.
Reporting on Historic and Personal Moments
Throughout his career, MacKay provided front-row coverage of pivotal moments in Scottish and UK history. He cited the 2014 Scottish independence referendum as a career highlight, describing it as a period of intense national engagement. However, the role also required him to report on profound tragedies, including the Piper Alpha disaster and the Dunblane shooting, the latter of which he noted continues to weigh on him personally.
Beyond hard news, MacKay found significance in the human element of his work. While he enjoyed interviewing notable entertainers like Billy Connolly and Kevin Bridges, he emphasized that the most meaningful interactions were often with ordinary people sharing their personal narratives. His own life also intersected with his reporting, particularly when covering an oil rig incident near his family’s home in the Western Isles, an experience he described as starkly different from typical assignments.
Life Beyond the Newsroom
As he prepares for his final broadcasts, MacKay expressed that he will miss the camaraderie of the newsroom more than the thrill of breaking news. Beyond his broadcasting career, he has established himself as a novelist, with his historical work The Road Dance successfully adapted into a feature film. The adaptation held deep personal significance, as it was filmed in the Hebrides, including locations linked to his family history.
While MacKay’s departure signals the end of a distinct era in Scottish television, his focus on the need for transformative leadership in modern politics suggests a veteran observer who remains deeply concerned with the unresolved social issues, such as homelessness and drug-related crises, that he covered throughout his decades in the public eye.