Background
MacKay grew up in the outskirts of Glasgow in Hillington and attended Penilee Secondary School and later, Glasgow University.
MacKay grew up in the outskirts of Glasgow in Hillington and attended Penilee Secondary School and later, Glasgow University.
He 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. He began his journalism career with The Sunday Post before joining British Broadcasting Corporation Scotland in 1987, initially as a news trainee for Radio Scotland and later as a reporter, presenter and producer for radio and television services, including the national news programme Reporting Scotland. He joined Scottish Television (now STV Central) in September 1994 as a reporter and presenter for the regional news programme Scotland Today and became a main anchor four 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 for the Central region.
In October 2011, he became a presenter of STV"s current affairs programme, Scotland Tonight, with MacKay presenting on alternate nights with Rona Dougall. MacKay is a well known figure in Scotland, particularly in the central belt through his long association with STV. He was portrayed by comedian Jonathan Watson on his sketch show Only an Excuse with the use of his popular opening catchprhase "I"m John MacKay".
The Glasgow-based comedian Kevin Bridges has also stated his admiration for MacKay, saying the highlight of his career was saying "Back to John in the studio." MacKay has also interviewed fictional anchorman Ron Burgundy (played by Will Ferrell) from the 2004 comedy film Anchorman.