Career that changed thousands of lives
A Stornoway man who has helped thousands of people shape their future has retired after 43 years in the careers service.
Skills Development Scotland Careers Adviser Willie Macleod logged off for the last time on Wednesday, 11 December.
The 70-year-old has seen the world of careers guidance evolve dramatically over the decades, but his commitment to supporting people through life’s transitions has never wavered. Whether through one-on-one conversations, delivering workshops, or simply offering a kind word, his influence has rippled far and wide.
Willie started as a trainee careers adviser at 24 years old in 1978, after finishing his Diploma of Career Guidance at Napier College of Commerce and Technology.
Just 15 months later, Willie was called back up to the Western Isles to help his father run a family business, but it wasn’t long before an opportunity came up that would get him back on track to pursue his true vocation.
Supporting the community
Willie explained: “I got talking to the principal careers adviser at the council, Ken Galloway, who mentioned there was a vacancy, and I took the role as special temporary employment careers adviser before I was eventually made permanent.”
The move in 1981 led Willie to spend the rest of his working life supporting young people and adults across the Western Isles. This included 40 years helping the pupils at Sir E Scott School in Harris.
Willie said: “In the very beginning, I was visiting schools all across the Western Isles. This was before the causeways were built, so there was lots of travel involved. It meant ferry hopping and I could be away for four or five days at a time.
“I loved working at Sir E Scott and helping the pupils through the years. I would very often see parents in the school or people in the community who would say I was their careers adviser, so it’s great that they remembered me.”
Willie loved to play a part in developing people and helping them get on in life. He said: “In my role, it’s always been a case of encouraging people to open up, so that I can help. Being there for them and developing a relationship with them is half the battle.”
Inspiring others
Throughout his career, Willie has not only helped young people navigate their paths but has also inspired colleagues, friends, and even future Careers Advisers, including SDS Area Manager for the North, Susan MacRae.
Susan said: “I’ll never forget the impact Willie had on my life. As a young person who was very unsure of my next steps, his guidance helped me make decisions that completely transformed my future.
“Willie didn’t just point me toward opportunities; he gave me the confidence to seize them. All our conversations and there were many, ignited a passion in me to do the same for others, and it’s the main reason I chose to follow in his footsteps 29 years ago and study to become a Careers Adviser myself.”
Developing relationships
In his most recent role, Willie has been part of the Eilean Siar Careers Information Advice and Guidance (CIAG) team based at the SDS careers centre at the Town Hall on South Beach Street.
Willie said: “The team relocated to Town Hall in 2022 and it’s been fantastic to work more closely with the council’s employability team to do joint activities and link up our services. The customers are the ones that really matter and so it’s been great to work more collaboratively with others to help the community.”
Willie’s colleagues and the council’s employability team gathered at a special event at the careers centre to celebrate and recognise his contribution to SDS and careers guidance.
The SDS Eilean Siar CIAG team presented Willie with a bottle of Hearach whisky and a voucher, as a token of thanks for everything he’s done for his colleagues, for the organisation and, most importantly, for the countless individuals whose lives he’s enriched.
Speaking about his retirement, Willie said: “I’m feeling good about it. I’ve made a lot of good contacts and friends over the years. I’ve had a great career and what’s been humbling is the lovely messages and well wishes I’ve had from colleagues from across SDS.
“Not having to go into my job is going to be an adjustment, but I felt the time was right for me. There has got to be something else to do!”
Mentor, role model and friend
Thinking about his next endeavours, Willie, who has three children and two grandchildren, could be going full circle. He explained: “First of all, I’m going to take a holiday, but I’ll think properly about my plans in the new year. There are plenty of opportunities for voluntary work. My first boss, Ken Galloway has been in touch to see if I’d like to be involved in the historical society. I’ll also be able to spend more time with my family in Inverness.”
Susan MacRae added: “Over the years, Willie has been more than a source of professional advice—he’s been a mentor, a role model, and a friend to many of us. His ability to listen without judgment, ask the right questions, and empower others to believe in themselves is a rare and special gift.
“As he steps into retirement, we know he’ll continue to inspire in whatever he chooses to do next. While we’ll miss his presence, his legacy will live on in the countless lives he’s enriched and the paths he’s helped shape.”