After more than three decades as one of Scotland’s most recognizable news presenters, John MacKay is preparing to bid farewell to STV, closing a remarkable chapter in Scottish journalism. His decision to step down, announced in March 2026, marks the end of an era not just for the broadcaster but for viewers who have welcomed him into their living rooms for 31 years. In a reflective special edition of “Scotland Tonight,” MacKay sat down with colleague Rona Dougall to look back on a career spanning four decades, sharing the personal stories, professional highlights, and hard-won insights that have defined his journey.
MacKay’s path into journalism was set in motion by a simple act of encouragement during his school days. As he recounted during the special broadcast, “I was inspired by a teacher who recognised I enjoyed writing. She suggested I might become a journalist.” Even before that, his fascination with news was kindled while delivering newspapers as a boy in Glasgow. “That idea of delivering newspapers, the thrill of a headline… I quite liked that whole thing,” he explained, recalling the excitement that came with each morning’s front page.
His early career began in the world of print, before he transitioned to television, first with the BBC and then, in the 1990s, with STV. Throughout, MacKay’s reporting was shaped not just by the stories he covered, but by the values instilled by his family. His mother, originally from the Western Isles, placed a high value on education and professional achievement. Although she harbored reservations about journalism, jokingly imagining journalists as “heavy drinkers,” she nonetheless supported his ambitions. Tragically, she died unexpectedly early in his career, never witnessing the full extent of his success. “I think she would have been happy if I were happy doing what I was doing,” MacKay reflected, a sentiment that underscores the personal sacrifices and emotional complexity behind the public persona.
Over the years, MacKay became a trusted voice during some of Scotland and the UK’s most momentous events. He was at the forefront of coverage for the 2014 Scottish independence referendum—a period he described as a “highlight because the country was so engaged. Everyone was involved. Nobody knew what the result was going to be.” According to STV News, MacKay’s anchoring during such high-stakes moments offered viewers both clarity and calm, qualities that made him a fixture in Scottish homes.
But not every story was uplifting. MacKay reported on tragedies such as the Piper Alpha disaster and the Dunblane shooting, events that, as he admitted, “continue to affect him.” One particularly difficult moment was announcing the death of footballer Davie Cooper, a childhood hero. “You’re sitting there reading the news and telling people that someone you admired has died. That sticks with you,” he said, giving listeners a rare glimpse into the emotional toll of frontline reporting.
In his long career, MacKay interviewed countless public figures, from politicians to entertainers. He singled out conversations with Billy Connolly and Kevin Bridges as especially memorable, describing both as “naturally funny.” Yet, he found the most meaning in interviews with ordinary people sharing their personal stories. “The most fascinating interviews have always been with people who aren’t in public life,” he noted, highlighting the power of everyday voices in shaping the news.
MacKay’s reflections extend beyond individual stories to broader trends in politics and society. He lamented what he sees as a decline in transformative leadership, contrasting past figures such as Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and Alex Salmond with today’s more managerial approach. “I’m not sure we see leadership in the same way now. Often it feels more like management,” he observed. Persistent issues like homelessness and drug crises in Scotland, he said, remain unresolved despite repeated attention. “Homelessness and drugs are stories we return to again and again. There are strategies and ideas, but they’re often not followed through.”
Beyond broadcasting, MacKay has cultivated a passion for storytelling through fiction. He authored the historical novel The Road Dance, which was adapted into a film shot in the Hebrides, including locations intimately connected to his family’s past. “There were scenes filmed in the house my great-grandfather built. That was quite something,” he shared. MacKay even made a cameo appearance in the film, playing a crofter alongside his son—a testament to his enduring ties to his roots. Looking ahead, he is developing further projects, including a potential television series and a sequel to the film.
MacKay’s departure is not just a personal milestone but a moment of institutional transition for STV and Scottish journalism at large. As el-balad noted, his exit “highlights newsroom succession challenges and the need to balance continuity with renewal in public-facing journalism.” The broadcaster now faces the delicate task of choosing a successor who can both honor MacKay’s legacy and bring fresh perspective to the newsroom.
For MacKay, the hardest part of leaving will be saying goodbye to the daily camaraderie he’s shared with colleagues. “I’ll miss my colleagues more than anything else. The banter, the everyday working together,” he confessed, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in an industry often defined by deadlines and breaking news.
Yet, he is clear-eyed about the need for change. “I’ve been very lucky to have had a long career. It’s time to let other people have a go,” he said, framing his departure as an opportunity for the next generation of journalists to step forward. His words echo a broader shift in media, as legacy anchors make way for new voices in a rapidly evolving landscape.
The special episode “A Conversation with John MacKay” airs Thursday at 7:30 PM on STV and the STV Player, offering viewers a chance to hear more from the veteran journalist as he prepares for life beyond the newsroom. For MacKay, the future is filled with creative possibilities, but his legacy as Scotland’s anchorman will endure, woven into the fabric of the stories he helped tell and the lives he touched along the way.
As Scotland prepares to turn the page, John MacKay’s story stands as both a tribute to a storied career and a reminder of the enduring power of journalism to connect, inform, and inspire.