Who works here 

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Alistair Marks B.V.M.&S Cert.V.R. Cert.S.A.O. M.R.C.V.S.

Alistair founded the practice in 1996. He is a 1983 graduate from the Dick Vet here in Edinburgh. After qualifying, he was the house surgeon at the Dick Vet (being a house surgeon is a little like a house wine - cheap and cheerful and always available). At the end of this year, he gained the RCVS postgraduate Certificate in Veterinary Radiology. After stints working in practice in Dunfermline and Hull, he took over a small animal practice in Leamington Spa. Whilst there he gained the RCVS postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Orthopaedics in 1994. However, the desire to return North lead to the sale of that practice in 1995 and his family's return to Scotland. Alistair is married to Penelope, a PhD in genetics and a teacher and has three children Phoebe, Angus and Malcolm. The picture shows the two ancient Labradors, Blot and Button who preceded the children and who were a lot less trouble!. Unfortunately they are now no longer with us but their image remains in appreciation of the many happy years of companionship and pleasure they afforded us.

We now enjoy the very lively company of Peta, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Biba, a Hungarian Vizsla who can be seen on the dog trike page

Debbie Gillatt B.V.M.S. M.R.C.V.S.

Debbie qualified from Glasgow Vet School in 2001, and has been in small animal practice ever since. She came to Oak Tree as a locum vet in September 2007 and was delighted when the opportunity to join the friendly team arose in February 2008. Debbie has now bought her own flat in Edinburgh and is in the process of decorating!
Debbie enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery and also has an interest in the "small furry" pets such as rodents, guinea pigs and rabbits. She has 2 cats of her own, Monty being a typical vet's cat, he was rescued after being shot by an airgun and is epileptic and one-eyed, but he is a very lovely boy! He is kept company by Sophie, and also by Kyle, the mischievous lurcher.
In her spare time Debbie enjoys going to the cinema with the Oak Tree girls and socialising with friends and family. 

Julie Devine V.N.

Julie joined Oak Tree in April 2001 having qualified from Edinburgh's Telford College and having worked in practices in Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh.

Experienced in all areas of veterinary nursing, Julie enjoys the nursing clinics, directly helping pets and advising their owners.

In her spare time she enjoys the gym, going to see films, socialising and walking with Tess 

 Gemma Stewart R.V.N.

Gemma joined us in 2000 as a trainee vet nurse, she then went on to complete her training through Telford College coming to Oak Tree on her placement. She became qualified in winter 2003 and joined us a full time member of staff.

She has just completed the assessor course, as part of our active training practice in association with Telford college, and enjoys helping the student nurses throughout their training.

She enjoys all aspects of her job especially working with the animals in our hydrotherapy pool which has just opened, the only one in East Central Scotland!

In her spare time Gemma enjoys going to the cinema, gym and being wined and dined, she cheers everybody at Oak Tree up with her blonde comments! example: "do kidney beans come from kidneys" and when asked whether she knew who Samson and Delilah "were they a singing duo like Robson and Gerome?"

Michelle Black RVN

Michelle Joined Oak Tree in Jan 2008. She trained through practice, with Barony College and The college of animal welfare and qualified in Sept 2006. 

She has two cats, Jessica and Marley. 

In her spare time she enjoy going to the cinema, gym and loves all aspects of rugby especially supporting her national team! 

Catriona Irvine

Catriona joined us in 2006 after studying at on the full time veterinary nursing course at Edinburgh's Telford College. 

She enjoys all aspects of veterinary nursing, she has an interest in medicine, in particular Diabetes. She also enjoys handling the small 'furries' such as rabbits, guinea-pigs and rats.

In her spare time Catriona enjoys nothing more than going to watch motorbike racing and hopes one day to ride a motorbike herself. She also enjoys spending quality time with her two Labradors 'Dylan' and 'Rocky' who are both guide dog pups that didn't quite make the grade.

Victoria Hall

Victoria joined the staff of Oak Tree in April 2008 having first come to us as a work experience student in 2002 and then as one of our nursing students from 2005 to 20007 in association with Edinburgh's Telford College and University of Glasgow Veterinary School.

  She has two Bulldogs called Daisy and Haggis and a wee Pug called Wally. Victoria and Wally were chosen as the " face" of Edinburgh's Telford College in Telford's recent promotional campaign

She enjoys all aspect of Veterinary Nursing especially surgical nursing. In her spare time she likes to work out at the local gym and go to the cinema.

Elspeth Smith

Elspeth joined us in July 2004 as our receptionist. She has seven years previous experience as a Veterinary Receptionist working in Gorebridge, Bonnyrigg and Penicuik. Elspeth completed her Veterinary Terminology open learning course with Edinburgh’s Telford College and has also completed several smaller courses increasing her veterinary care knowledge.

In her free time Elspeth appears with many of the Edinburgh amateur musical societies often in principal roles one of her most memorable portrayals being The Wicked Witch of The West (which her colleagues didn’t feel she needed to audition for). She is currently Chairperson of The Southern Light Drama Group and is rehearsing for what will be one of her biggest challenges, a well spoken sophisticated, well dressed character! When not at work or play she enjoys nothing more than relaxing with her six cats and her husband Jay. 

p.s. Elspeth is the one one the left!

That concludes the rogues gallery! 

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