Karen MacKenzie

Karen MacKenzie co-presents BBC Radio Scotland's daily magazine show with topical reports and celebrity interviews

Karen MacKenzie was born and brought up in Inverdruie, just outside Aviemore. Having being told by her mum that ‘acting’ was not a feasible career and a ‘car mechanic’ was just as ridiculous, she moved to Edinburgh and studied at Telford College. In 1988 and fed up with work, she took off round the world with her then partner, taking in India, Thailand, Australia, The Cook Islands, America and Canada.

In her numerous years at BBC Scotland, Karen has worked in News & Current Affairs, Arts and Entertainment, Music and Topical & Events. Karen has been a co-host with Fred on MacAulay & Co for almost 4 years – her biggest challenge however seems to be remembering to engage her brain before opening her mouth. Unfortunately barely a show goes past without some sort of faux pas. However, her continual blunders very often make for material on Scotland’s Funny Bits podcast – published online every Friday.

Karen has two gorgeous girls – Lisa who’s 23 and currently enjoying a year in Canada, living on a houseboat in Victoria and Alex who’s 20, still lives at home in Glasgow and studying drama.

Karen’s hobbies include cycling, gardening, cooking and keeping her four hens – Betty, Chomsky, Poppy & Miss Pixie – alive.

She has three sisters – Kerry, who lives in Chicago, Christine who lives in Auckland and Aggie, who lives in London.