Company History

(A division of Mackay Decorators (Perth) Ltd)

When John Nevin completed his four year painting and decorating apprenticeship with Hugh Muirhead of Leith he decided that the way forward was to set up his own company and thus Nevin of Edinburgh evolved. He began trading from his mother’s front room in Leith in 1977 but he soon realised that bigger premises were required and moved to Morningside, further expansion and success of his company required another move to premises at Swanfield in Leith where Nevin of Edinburgh still operates from today.

The company, have in a short time scale won fourteen UK Painter of the Year awards along with numerous Scottish Decorators Federation awards. And more recently have won several international awards including two gold medals at Worldskills Calgary, Canada 2009. The company have decorated many of the UK’s finest buildings including Mount Stuart, Kenwood House, Hopetoun House, Traquair House, Dumfries House and The Royal Palace of Stirling castle.

The specialist division does in-house Pigment Analysis and Stereo Microscopy for Cross Section Paint Analysis. John Nevin can also manufacture historical paints on site suitable for National Trust and Historic Scotland’s specific requirements. Nevin of Edinburgh is included on the Conservation Register with Historic Scotland. They have advised the Forensic Laboratory at Lothian and Borders Police Force on paint sample analysis and demonstrated at Hampton Court Palace for the Traditional Paint Forum, they have also worked for the Historic Palace Agency.

His son Mark joined the company in 2003 and served his painting and decorating apprenticeship, winning awards and prizes for his outstanding achievements during his training, he now works hand in hand with his father making it a truly outstanding family business.

John Nevin firmly believes in the old system of training apprenticeships within the company and employs at least two new apprentices every year (along with an additional two apprentices at his company in Perth. (Mackay Decorators Perth Ltd).

John Nevin acquired Mackay Decorators (Perth) Ltd in 1991 in order to expand into the Tayside region where he has worked on many of prestiges contracts including the new Concert Hall in Perth, Taymouth Castle, and Perth Museum. John Nevin has turned Mackay Decorators into an award winning company.