MB ChB Manch 1934; FRCS Eng 1940.
MacKay was educated at the University of Manchester and was awarded the Dickinson Anatomy Scholarship. He was demonstrator in anatomy at the University and held resident appointments at MRI before being appointed consultant surgeon to Stockport and Macclesfield Hospital Group. His wife, Jean Mary Sheldon, was also a doctor (see MMC/2/SheldonJM).