About Us

Grant is the oracle and brains behind every scale drawing required to make the most magnificent Garages, Cabins and Studios, specifically for you. Grant is part of the G&M Growth Team - his job is to analyse, plan and draw the next stages of our expansion plans. Whether that's the new yard or the workshop extension - Grant's already thinking, dreaming, aspiring to a Shed world of possibilities.

"The G&M Standard" is an adaptation from Mr Mackay himself and although John spends most of his time these days in his allotment and looking after his grandkids, he is here with us every day, in everything that we do. Father to Cara Mackay, he's confident in the knowledge that Cara will continue what he and Grant started. John felt 2020 was a blessing in disguise, helping him see a life after the saw and leading him to step back from his operational role. Thankfully for Grant and Cara, he's very much still involved on the Board of Directors and aligned with our vision for the future, aiding us in all the important decisions.

In 2022, Cara became majority shareholder and officially stepped into second-generation leadership at Gillies & Mackay. A passionate champion for craftsmanship, design, and outdoor living, Cara has redefined the company’s creative direction while staying true to its roots of quality and honesty. As one of the few women leading a manufacturing business in Scotland, she carries the legacy of Grant and John while inspiring a new generation of garden building enthusiasts. Under her leadership, Gillies & Mackay continues to grow, innovate, and thrive — always with people, customers, and craft at the heart of it all

Gordon is our Succession Director and one of G&M’s true legacy figures. He started out as a young labourer at the start working alongside Grant and John, and that early graft shaped the work ethic he’s known for today: dependable, capable and committed to doing things the right way. Over the years he’s grown from right-hand man in the workshop to company director, helping carry the business into its next generation. Beyond the work, Gordon brings heart. He’s present, supportive, and deeply invested in the people here. If he’s having a wee laugh with you, that’s his way of saying, “You’re safe here. You’re part of this.”

Dean is our Operations Supervisor and one of G&M’s long-standing “fixers”, having joined the company back in 2002. A highly skilled carpenter (he used to build caskets, so his eye for finish is no joke), Dean leads our Parts and finishing work and now oversees on-site finishing too. If something’s broken, awkward, or completely new, Dean is usually the one who figures out how to make it work. In the workshop he’s known as our sunshine boy – upbeat, singing away, keeping the mood light while quietly setting very high standards. He mentors the younger joiners and apprentices, gives people confidence in their own skills, and is always solution-focused. If you need a hand or an honest answer, Dean’s one of the first people you can go to.

Cath is our Company Secretary and one of the core protectors of Gillies & Mackay. She’s the one quietly making sure the wages are paid, the bills are sorted, the systems run, and the numbers tell the truth – all while keeping our integrity front and centre. With Cath, things are either right or they’re not, and she’ll always push for the right thing for the business and the people in it. She’s forward-thinking, tech-curious, and has been there through some of the toughest seasons in G&M’s journey. Cath sees the unseen work, holds the line when decisions are hard, and has our backs when it matters most. She brings loyalty, honesty, and a fierce sense of responsibility – she really is one of the hearts of HQ.

Calum joined Gillies & Mackay as a teenager and has grown into a skilled carpenter, a respected leader, and the driving force behind our onsite team. Now our Onsite Manager — and founder of Solid Ground Landscaping & Joinery, our sister company handling groundworks — Calum ensures every build runs smoothly from foundations to finish. Known for his problem-solving, patience, and determination, he’s the one who makes the impossible possible and inspires others to raise their game. Calum represents the next generation of Gillies & Mackay: loyal, hard-working, and shaping the future of the business every day.

Kieran started with G&M at 17 and has grown into a leader who embodies everything we stand for. Clever with strategy and planning, he’s helped steer us through major transitions like launching Radiata Garden Rooms. More than his sharp insight, it’s his humility, care for others, and ability to bring out the best in people that make him so valued. From mentoring new team members to supporting every corner of the business, Kieran leads with heart, loyalty, and a genuine belief in what we’re building.

Nicola leads Business Development at Gillies & Mackay, with a focus on finding new ways to share our story with the world. With the customer always at the heart of her work, she’s passionate about creating experiences that make choosing Gillies & Mackay feel as special as the buildings themselves.

Ross is our Senior On-Site Joiner. Joining G&M after Covid, he worked closely with Calum to master the G&M Standard and is now the go-to person for our most complex buildings, especially Radiata Garden Rooms. Ross is thoughtful, quietly driven and big on “why” – once he understands the purpose, he’ll move mountains to get it right. As the last person our customers see on their journey, he carries the reputation of the business on his shoulders, and we trust him completely with that responsibility.

The multi-skilled, multi-talented OG of 2nd generation G&M, Arran has kept us going - jumping in, stepping up and continually going above and beyond in the name of teamwork. Arran has been with G&M for over five years, growing from a quiet new start into a skilled, multi-talented Finishing Joiner we rely on for the detail and precision that bring our buildings to life. Known for his humour, loyalty, and calm, can-do attitude, he’s now completing a fast-track Master Craftsman apprenticeship — a testament to his dedication and growth. Arran embodies the heart of Gillies & Mackay: skilled, humble, and full of character.

Ailsa is our Project Lead and one of the quiet powerhouses of G&M. She looks after everything that needs to happen between “yes, let’s go ahead” and a finished building – organising materials, coordinating suppliers, and making sure every detail is in place so jobs run on time and to spec. She’s calm, ridiculously organised, and quick to get her head around complex projects, asking the right questions and spotting what others might miss. Ailsa brings balance, steadiness, and a huge sense of responsibility to the team – she’s one of the people who keeps the whole show moving.

Imagine being the person who decides which timber goes into every G&M building — that’s Bobbie. As our Lead Woodcutter, his precision, maths, and eye for quality set the standard for everything that follows. Trained by Gordon, he runs the cutting deck with calm focus and unshakable work ethic. The “not a problem” champion of the workshop, Bobbie’s reliability, pace, and quiet generosity make him the rhythm behind how G&M gets things done.

Jamie is a Bench Joiner who made the leap from new start to standout in months. Mentored by Gordon and Chrissy, he chose precision first—then speed followed. On the bench he moves with quiet focus and athletic control, turning complex builds into clean, repeatable excellence. He absorbs detail, communicates clearly, and won’t compromise on quality, even under pressure. Jamie brings maturity, grit and craft pride—the kind of talent that lifts every person working beside him.

Amy joined Gillies & Mackay after a career as an English teacher and immediately changed the game for us. She started as our Content Writer and is now our Marketing Manager, leading the charge on brand, content, and everything that helps us tell the G&M story. Amy is fiercely curious, honest, and an absolute finisher – she loves a plan, a process, and seeing things through properly. She brings energy, humour, intelligence, and a lot of heart to the team. She cares deeply about the people she works with and about making G&M as good as we say we are. If you work with Amy, expect high standards, straight talking and plenty of laughs along the way.

Sophie is our Content Writer and one of the strongest creative voices at G&M. She’s meticulous, steady, and brilliant at turning big ideas into clear, finished work. Her writing is warm, funny, and relatable, and her monthly newsletter is a favourite across the company. Sophie brings care, clarity, and calm to everything she touches. If you work with Sophie, expect thoughtful questions, organised plans, and someone who genuinely has your back.

While Lewis is technically a CSR guy, he's well and truly part of G&M, having previously been part of the workshop team. Lewis is Calum's go-to for all the basework, patios and landscaping that CSR work on. Full of stamina, speed, and the willingness to get things done, Lewis is ready for anything!

Handpicked from a landscaping team we worked closely with, Darren quickly became Ross’s right-hand man on site. He brings huge honesty, openness and a real willingness to learn – always asking questions, taking feedback on board and pushing himself to grow. Darren’s attitude makes him a dream to support: he’s all in, dependable, and genuinely cares about doing the job well.

John works in our Marketing team looking after the techy, behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps our campaigns and systems running smoothly. He’s naturally curious, loves asking why, and has a real knack for digging into problems, finding smarter ways to do things, and building tools that make everyone’s life easier. John brings a mix of brains, humour, and genuine interest in how G&M works, and he’s a big part of the next generation shaping what comes next.

The newest member of the Sales Team, Eve has a calm capability that shines through in everything she does. She copes admirably with everything that Kieran throws at her, and it feels like she's been here for years! Organised, meticulous and eager to learn, Eve is one of the first faces you'll see when you visit our Show Area.