CELEBRATING LIFE-LONG CAREERS SCOTT MCGUIGAN

Scott McGuigan has been with Mackenzie Construction for 30 years this year, he joined the business at 18 years old in 1993.

Scott’s father, Shug McGuigan first introduced him to Mackenzie Construction as Shug himself was working for them at the time, and even still works for them today. Scott’s first job title at Mackenzie Construction was Labourer, which today would be described as an Operative. Scott began on the civil side of the company, working on numerous contracts such as landscaping, any kind of paving, concrete work, and kerbing. He moved from that operative role to a ganger role and finally moved into the role of foreman, which he has been carrying out since 2006. Scott receives regular training from Mackenzie Construction and has done over the past 30 years which helps him to learn and implement new skills into every job he undertakes. More recently, over the last two years, he started working on the Scottish Water works, again learning new skills. Working on the water tanks has been a great opportunity for Scott to learn different aspects and ways of working.

Scott talks about his career fondly and recalls some of his highlights being a number of Edinburgh contracts that Mackenzie Construction carried out. The Lothian Road contract where Mackenzie Construction had to lay new slabs on the footpaths on either side without putting pedestrians on the road. During a contract on The Royal Mile where works were being carried out outside the old Parliament building, Scott saw Tommy Sheridan and Jack McConnell on a daily basis and Uncle Bates heckling them. He also makes note of works Mackenzie Construction did on Princes Street, working on the Trams contract, which was the biggest site he had worked on, with up to 150 men on-site daily.

When asked about his mentor when he first started at Mackenzie Construction, Scott without hesitation mentioned his Dad (Shug). He mentioned that Shug

Years

continues to pass on his knowledge and still gives the occasional rollicking. He believes he truly learned from the best and believes it to be the reason he is still at Mackenzie Construction today, and to quote Scott, ‘cheers Da’.

Scott enjoys sharing his knowledge with some of the young engineers and immersing himself in jobs with various squad members and various squads. He believes it gives a well-rounded experience at Mackenzie Construction for all parties, as well as ensuring that a dull day never goes by.

Scott’s favourite thing about working for Mackenzie Construction over the last 30 years is the security of having a job that is backed up by so many good people in the company. He values his fellow employees, and it makes going to work each day, that much more enjoyable.