John MacKay (journalist)
Encyclopedia
John MacKay is a Scottish broadcast journalist, television presenter and producer, who is currently the chief anchor for the West Central Scotland edition of STV News at Six
and a presenter for current affairs programme Scotland Tonight
.
MacKay grew up in the outskirts of Glasgow
in Hillington
and attended Penilee Secondary School. He joined STV in 1994 after working at BBC Scotland
for several years. He became an anchor for the regional news programme Scotland Today
in 1994 and a main anchor two years later, alongside Shereen Nanjiani
. Since a relaunch in summer 2006, MacKay has been the sole chief anchor and presents the main 6pm programme for the West and the lunchtime bulletin across the Central region. In October 2011, he was named as a presenter of STV's current affairs programme Scotland Tonight
, launched on Monday 24 October 2011 with MacKay presenting on alternate nights with Rona Dougall.
MacKay is also the main presenter/producer of The Real MacKay, an online video blog produced from the newsroom at STV Central
, which has gained cult status. He has also produced Diary of a Pipe Band, a feature series for STV's website and the one-off documentary Sir Alex Ferguson
: How to Win Games and Influence People.
Of Hebridean descent, from the district of Carloway
, MacKay has written three books all based in the Isle of Lewis. They are "The Road Dance", "Heartland" and "The Last of the Line" (all Luath Press, 2002, 2004 and 2006 respectively).
STV News at Six
STV News at Six is a Scottish regional news programme, covering the two STV franchise areas of Northern and Central Scotland, produced by STV Central in the Central region and STV North in the Northern region.The programmes were launched on Monday 23 March 2009, replacing Scotland Today in...
and a presenter for current affairs programme Scotland Tonight
Scotland Tonight
Scotland Tonight is a Scottish news and current affairs programme, covering the two STV franchise areas of Northern and Central Scotland, produced by STV News...
.
MacKay grew up in the outskirts of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
in Hillington
Hillington
Hillington can refer to:* Hillington, Glasgow, Scotland* Hillington, Norfolk, England...
and attended Penilee Secondary School. He joined STV in 1994 after working at BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland is a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It is, in effect, the national broadcaster for Scotland, having a considerable amount of autonomy from the BBC's London headquarters, and is run by the BBC Trust, who...
for several years. He became an anchor for the regional news programme Scotland Today
Scotland Today
Scotland Today was a Scottish regional news programme covering Central Scotland, produced by STV Central . Despite its name suggesting a national remit, the programme was actually limited to stories around STV's Central Belt franchise...
in 1994 and a main anchor two years later, alongside Shereen Nanjiani
Shereen Nanjiani
Shereen Nanjiani is a radio presenter with BBC Radio Scotland.Before launching her radio career in 2006, Nanjiani was the chief news anchor at STV Central, having presented the news programme, Scotland Today since 1987...
. Since a relaunch in summer 2006, MacKay has been the sole chief anchor and presents the main 6pm programme for the West and the lunchtime bulletin across the Central region. In October 2011, he was named as a presenter of STV's current affairs programme Scotland Tonight
Scotland Tonight
Scotland Tonight is a Scottish news and current affairs programme, covering the two STV franchise areas of Northern and Central Scotland, produced by STV News...
, launched on Monday 24 October 2011 with MacKay presenting on alternate nights with Rona Dougall.
MacKay is also the main presenter/producer of The Real MacKay, an online video blog produced from the newsroom at STV Central
Scottish Television
Scottish Television is Scotland's largest ITV franchisee, and has held the ITV franchise for Central Scotland since 31 August 1957. It is the second oldest ITV franchisee still active...
, which has gained cult status. He has also produced Diary of a Pipe Band, a feature series for STV's website and the one-off documentary Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
: How to Win Games and Influence People.
Of Hebridean descent, from the district of Carloway
Carloway
Carloway is a district situated in the parish of Uig on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides. The district has a population of around 500.- The District :...
, MacKay has written three books all based in the Isle of Lewis. They are "The Road Dance", "Heartland" and "The Last of the Line" (all Luath Press, 2002, 2004 and 2006 respectively).