FORMER STV newsreader John MacKay has taken up a role at rivals BBC Scotland.
MacKay, who left STV News in March after being with the broadcaster for more than three decades, will take up a temporary presenting role on the Scotcast podcast.
He will take the helm of the politics show for a fortnight while Martin Geissler is away.
MacKay said: "I’m really looking forward to working with the Scotcast team. The podcast has set the standards in Scotland and I relish the challenge of maintaining them in my time filling in.
"I’m already feeling the buzz of returning to the studio."
MacKay began his broadcasting career with BBC Scotland in 1987 as a news trainee and moved to STV in 1994 where he stayed until this year. He was promoted to anchor in 1998.
He also presented STV’s current affairs show Scotland Tonight following its launch in 2011, sharing hosting duties with Rona Dougall.
Howard Simpson, head of news and current affairs in Scotland, said: 'John is one of Scotland’s most esteemed broadcasters. He brings decades of experience and has a warmth and gravitas that is hugely appreciated by the audience. It will be great to have John at the BBC and in the Scotcast chair this summer.'
STV said MacKay left the broadcaster to focus on "writing and other creative ventures" including a sequel to his film The Road Dance, and the potential development of a TV series adapted from another of his novels.
Mackay will be presenting on Scotcast from Monday, August 24.
