McKay joined Forest Research as a
plant physiologist in 1988 where she worked to improve the physiological quality of planting stock. In 2000 she was made specialist advisor for forest operations and the physical environment. Today she serves as Head of the Centre, Sustainable Forestry and Climate Change. In 2016 McKay established the Forest Research Culture Working Group to improve forestry
research culture. She serves as a trustee of the
Scottish Forestry Trust. She was appointed
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the
2020 New Year Honours for services to forest science and forestry.
Selected publications Her publications include: • • == References ==