Our Team
Veterinary Surgeons
Kevin Barclay BVMS MRCVS
Kevin qualified from Glasgow Vet School in 2003. Following a brief stint in mixed practice, he travelled to Australia and New Zealand to work and travel. On his return, he locumed around the UK before settling at Ashgrove as a Vet and became a Partner. He enjoys all aspects of small animal practice and is generally willing to see anything.
When not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and tending his herd of pedigree Charolais cattle.
Lesley Falconer BVMS MRCVS
Lesley joined us in December 2020 after working at the PDSA for many years.
Since graduating in 1992 she has worked in mixed practice in Ayrshire, Inverness and also Australia and New Zealand where she spent some time travelling. Lesley enjoys all aspect of vet practice, particularly surgery.
When not at work, Lesley is kept busy by her daughter and young Spaniel x Collie dog. She also does a lot of running, gardening and hill walking.
Nia McKain BVM&S MRCVS
Nia graduated from Edinburgh in 2016 and joined Ashgrove in 2021 after 5 years in mixed practice down in Angus. She joined us with her Golden retriever Bryn who often accompanies her to work – many of you will have seen him at our practices.
Nia has a keen interest in surgery and is currently in the middle of compelting her BSAVA certificate. She spends most of her time between the Belmont and Peterculter practice and her favourite thing about being a vet is seeing both client and patient reactions to being reunited after a procedure/stay with us.
Lyndsay Ross BVMS MRCVS
Lyndsay joined us here at Ashgrove in June 2021. Qualifying from Glasgow in 2007, she spent 3 years in mixed practice before concentrating on the Small Animal side. She enjoys all aspects of being a Vet, both surgical and medical cases.
Outside of work Lyndsay enjoys long walks and bike rides with her partner and Labrador. She also enjoys snowboarding, swimming and attempting to fit in some horse riding. Lyndsay’s grandad was also a vet and friends with Mr Argo – founder of Ashgrove Vets!
Sarah Smith BVM&S MRCVS gpCert WVA-CPM
She moved back home to Aberdeen and she joined Ashgrove in May 2021. She loves being part of the team here.
Sarah initially started doing acupuncture on animals in 2005 and has gained a certificate in veterinary acupuncture and chronic pain management.
She enjoys being able to help owners manage their dogs pain and improving their quality of life.
She has also completed training in veterinary herbal medicine.
When not at work Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Victoria Perfecka BVMS MRCVS
Victoria is a well known face around the clinic. She first came to Ashgrove to see practice in 2013, and never left. She worked as a part time receptionist during her university days and has since graduated from Glasgow Veterinary school as a fully qualified veterinary surgeon.
She enjoys seeing all kinds of animals, but has a soft spot for exotics, especially birds. At home, she has a Blue and Gold Macaw called Ricci and two rescue lovebirds, Mango and Kiwi.
When not at work, Victoria enjoys running, spending time with family and taking Ricci and her son out in hikes.
Lucy Scaife BVMS MRCVS
Lucy joined Ashgrove Vets in 2014 as one of our Part Time Vets where we keep her very busy.
She graduated from Glasgow Veterinary School in the year 2000. Originally from Yorkshire she can’t remember ever wanting to be anything else – she saw practice at the Herriot Practice in Thirsk with Julian (who had just graduated) and Peter Wright from the Yorkshire Vet!
When not at work, she is always getting involved in something with her 3 children and and her 3 dogs.
Holly Usher BVM&S MRCVS
Holly joined Ashgrove Vets in 2018. She graduated from the Edinburgh Vet School in 2013 and moved to Norfolk where she spent three years in mixed practice. After deciding to focus purely on small animals, Holly completed a clinical rotating internship at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals in London, before relocating to Aberdeen and joining us here.Holly enjoys all aspects of general practice, and is particularly interested in internal medicine and ultrasound scanning; she also supports and mentors our new graduate Vets.
Away from work, Holly and her husband make the most of our beautiful countryside with their two sighthounds. She also enjoys participating in triathlons, cooking and travelling!
Holly is our cat advocate for the practice as part of our ISFM Silver accreditation.
Catriona Urquhart MRCVS - Pg CERT SAD
Catriona graduated from Glasgow Vet School in 1997 and spent 16 years in mixed practice in West Lothian. She then decided to move back closer to family and returned to Aberdeenshire.
For the last 8 years Catriona has concentrated on small animal work and completed a post graduate certificate in small animal dermatology. She has an interest in skin issues but still enjoys all aspects of small animal practice.
As Catriona likes cats and dogs equally she has one of each, a ‘crazy’ spaniel called Ralph and Archie the cat. Away from work Catriona enjoys cycling and exploring in her campervan.
Hannah Gray BVM&S MRCVS
Hannah is one of our Veterinary Surgeons who joined us in November 2023. You will find Hannah at Belmont Road where she enjoys getting to meet clients and their pets.
At home, Hannah has 2 ponies (Comet and Ivor), 4 chickens (Pecky, Henretta, Buffy and Cheeky Chook) and 1 whippet Eddie.
Martina Sucha BVM BVS MRCVS
Louise Lee MVB MRCVS
Louise Lee, our Irish vet, trained in Dublin and spent time working in mixed, emergency and small animal practice before joining us at Ashgrove in 2023. She lives in rural Aberdeenshire and spends most of her time refereeing scraps between 3 kids, including toddler twins! She has a dog called Puca and a cat called Floof. If she ever gets spare time she enjoys arty/crafty stuff and various outdoor adventure sports.
Veterinary Nurses
Fiona Cluness BSc Hons RVN Cert VN
Fiona is our Head Nurse. She qualified from Edinburgh Napier University in 2013 with a BSc honours degree in Veterinary Nursing. She completed an Emergency and Critical Care Certificate.
Fiona loves all aspects of Veterinary Nursing but most enjoys nursing our in-patients, and seeing them get better during their stay. She also really enjoys getting to know all our patients and their owners during our nursing consults.
In her spare time, Fiona enjoys running. Fiona has a particular soft spot for all our feline patients and as of October 2019, is now an ISFM cat advocate for the practice.
Jacqueline Don RVN
Jacqueline is now our Deputy Head RVN and joined the practice in August 2012 as a trainee Veterinary Nurse. She progressed to a fully qualified RVN in 2014. She enjoys a busy day in theatre and enjoys nursing inpatients.
Jacqueline is a country girl at heart and has her own flock of sheep!
Rona Hendry RVN
Rona qualified 30 years ago from Telford college in Edinburgh and has worked in a mix of small animal, mixed practice and emergency care over the years.
Rona especially enjoys theatre work but loves the variation of work, a busy small animal clinic provides.
At home, Rona enjoys a good night out with friends, long walks at the beach with her family and cheeky dog, Hugo! Gardening, cooking and baking, some of which makes it to work!
Claire Lofthouse RVN
I have always enjoyed caring for animals, after studying NC and HNC Animal Care I worked at the Scottish SPCA where I spent time looking after animals, building bonds and showing them that it is ok to trust humans again. I also spent time working as an Animal Rescue Officer for the Scottish SPCA where I would help rescue domestic and wildlife animals.
In 2017 I joined a local practice as an Animal Care Assistant where I fell in love with the veterinary world, I knew I wanted to continue to help animals but in a different way. I went onto complete a diploma in Veterinary Nursing and became a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2023.
I enjoy all aspects of my role which can range from tasks such as monitoring anaesthesia, in patient care, wound management and nurse clinics.
In my own time I balance all aspects of family life with my husband and our children. I enjoy going on long walks with my two dogs Brownie and Ellie.
Clare Barclay RVN
Clare co-owner of the practice has been a Veterinary Nurse for over 20 years and previously a veterinary receptionist. Clare is master of all trades and currently is one of our insurance administrators. She is equally comfortable in the operating theatre or office but is most often found looking after her and Kevin’s 2 children and menagerie of animals.
Claire Cruickshank RVN BSc Hons
Claire originally came to the practice at the end of her third year of training at Edinburgh Napier University and enjoyed it so much she came back to complete her dissertation in fourth year. She then started with us in May of 2020 before qualifying in July the same year.
Claire enjoys all aspects of nursing but espcially enjoys nursing the in-patients, monitoring anaesthetics and getting to know all owners and pets through nurse consultaions.
Outside of work Claire can be found spending time at home (Elgin) with friends and family, exploring the outdoors and horse riding. Claire hopes in the near future she will have her own pet to love but in the meantime spends extra time giving the inpatients some TLC.
Amy McGee RVN
Amy is one of our Registered Veterinary Nurses who joined us as a student back in 2019 and has stayed with us ever since! She is training to be a clinical coach this year to help our students complete their NPL and OSCE’s. Amy’s favourite part of her job is watching the improvement in patients over time – it’s very rewarding to see them back to their normal selves after a period of illness.
Amy is Ashgrove’s unofficial go-to for all the best local food and drink hot spots. When looking for recommendations, she’s who we ask!
Lisa Craik RVN
Lisa joined Ashgrove in October 2019. She qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2017.
She particularly enjoys learning about dog behaviour and enjoys meeting clients with their new puppies and rescue dogs.
Lisa enjoys dog walks around Aberdeenshire with her red Labrador Saffie. She also enjoys horse riding and reading books in her spare time.
Marta Mulgrew RVN ISFM Cert FN Ncert SAN
Marta started her vet nursing carer in 2002 and became qualified in 2007. Over her many years working for a variety of practices Marta found her love for nurse consults, with a special interest in nutrition, and she achieved her Small Animal Nutrition Certificate at the start of 2024. Marta moved to Ashgrove later in the year to pursue her passion , she is mainly based at the Portlethen branch. Along with nutrition she loves puppy and kitten clinics, senior clinics and general nurse consults.
Outwith work Marta loves spending time with her family and two cats. She also loves to keep active running and swimming
Katie Dundas RVN
Katie is a registered Veterinary Nurse who graduated in August 2023 after completing her training with us. Katie loves the inpatient care and anaesthetic monitoring aspect of Veterinary Nursing.
Cailin McRobb RVN
Cailin joined Ashgrove Vets as a Student Vet Nurse last year and successfully completed her training in 2024.. She has remained a member of staff at Ashgrove Vets where she enjoys the everyday challenges of her workload.
When not at work, Cailin enjoys hillwalking and socialising with her friends.
Kimberley Robson RVN
Kimberley joined us earlier in 2024 as a fully qualified RVN from another local practice.
When not at work, Kimberley enjoys walking with Darcie her Labrador and travelling to warmer climes abroad.
Hannah Alexander SVN
Hannah joined us as a student vet nurse and is on her way to complete her training in 2025. She is enjoying learning and getting involved in all aspects of nursing.
In her spare time she enjoys paddle-boarding and looking after her dog and pet hens. And when she has the time, she also enjoys playing the violin!
Megan Marsay RVN
Megan recently qualified and joined the Ashgrove nursing team. She enjoys the anaesthetic monitoring and medicine aspects of nursing. When not cuddling her dog Sox Megan enjoys hill walking and kayaking. Her favourite animal is a sloth!
Shannon Harper RVN
Shannon joined Ashgrove Vets in August 2024 having previously worked in small animal and referral practice. She qualified as a registered Veterinary Nurse in June 2022 and then relocated from Ayrshire to Aberdeenshire. Shannon enjoys many aspects of nursing however especially enjoys anaesthesia and nursing our emergency and critical care patients. She is currently working towards her certification in emergency and critical care. Outside of work Shannon enjoys spending time with her family and friends and walking her 2 dogs Ginny and Prince. She has a real love for Staffordshire Bull Terriers!
Nursing Assistants
Rachel Hurley
Rachel joined us in summer 2021 after she qualified as a veterinary care assistant.
She enjoys looking after all our patients, making sure they are as comfortable as possible during their stay, but she does have a particular passion for our feline friends.
Rachel also has a special interest in pet bereavement support after completing a Blue Cross pet bereavement course in 2022.
Michaela Reid
Michaela joined us in August 2021 as a full time Veterinary Care Assistant, working at both our Belmont Road and Peterculter surgeries after completing her HNC Animal Care and Veterinary Care Assistant courses through SRUC Aberdeen.
Her daily duties involve providing support to animals, clients and the rest of the team (this includes finding things for vets!). Michaela’s favourite part of the job is that no two days are the same and there is always the opportunity to learn something new in practice.
Michaela, in the future, would like to have her own furry, 4 legged pet with a waggy tail but for the time being, she spends time with our in-patients giving them all TLC.
In her spare time she enjoys going to kettlebells, circuit classes and climbing hills in all kinds of weather!
Non Clinical Staff
Diane Nutt BA
Diane joined us as Group Manager at the beginning of December 2018 from another local veterinary practice where she worked for 14 years as Practice Manager. She deals with the accounts and all other administrative tasks involved with running a busy veterinary business.
When not at work, Diane enjoys endurance riding and hacking on her two horses, gardening and spending time with her dogs, cats, chickens, sheep, and her husband.
Brenda Thomson
Brenda joined us as Practice Manager in 1999 but as of January 2019 commenced a new role as Front of House Manager. This will still enable her to enjoy her every day tasks due to the nature of her work which is a very varied role. She started here just helping out and volunteering on Saturday mornings.
She spends her spare time travelling to and participating in dog shows where she enjoys showing her three Golden Retrievers (who have all done very well for her over the past 18 years). She is also known for doing a fair bit of baking too.
Kim Armstrong
Kim joined us in 2023 as a Receptionist and has come on in leaps and bounds since this day. Having previously not worked within the Veterinary sector she has coped well with the complete turnaround.
Whilst not at work, Kim loves to spend her spare time walking her lovely dog who plays a very large part of her life.
Charlotte Benzie BSc
Charlotte joined us at Ashgrove as a part time receptionist and can mainly be seen at the Culter branch. Before joining our team she worked in the horse racing industry in the Uk and Australia. She enjoys the client care aspect of her job. Charlotte has a busy family life and lots of animals at home including ponies, chickens and dogs.
Sandra Dee
Sandra is one of our part–time receptionists who has been part of Team Ashgrove for an incredible 45 years!! She loves to spend time with her cat Ivy 
visiting the cinema and socialising with friends in her spare time.
Natalie Shand
Natalie joined us at Ashgrove as our Part Time Receptionist at our Peterculter surgery in 2020 but has since become full time. Before joining Ashgrove Vets, she worked in care for 13 years which she really enjoyed.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends and her animals.
Claire Morrison
Claire joined Ashgrove in 2024 as a part time Receptionist after working in the vet industry for 20 years. Claire has plenty experience of seeing all types of animals from their worst to their best.
Whilst not at work, Claire enjoys walking in the countryside with her faithful companion Benji, her trusted Border Collie
Carol Cruickshank
Carol joined Ashgrove Vets as an almost full time Receptionist from another referral practice some distance away over 2 years ago when she returned ‘home’.
She can be found at our Peterculter surgery where Carol does most of her hours although has assisted at our new Portlethen surgery on occasions.
Whilst not at work, Carol enjoys spending time with her Cocker Spaniel dog Tia.
Max Turner
Max joined the Ashgrove Team earlier in 2024 as our Part Time Administrator and assists with all sorts of admin jobs and mainly Insurance Claim Forms.
Rhonda Melville
Rhonda is one of the most recent members of staff who has joined our Reception team as a Part Time Receptionist from another Veterinary practice.
Before joining Ashgrove Vets, she worked in the Oil & Gas Industry for over 20 years before becoming a Veterinary Receptionist in 2016 where she has gained a vast knowledge and experience within the veterinary profession.
In her spare time, when not driving her youngest son to sports activities, Rhonda enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends and also enjoys taking her Australian Kelpie Joey on long walks. She also enjoys swimming and gardening.
Lauren Shepherd
Lauren is one of our full time receptionists at Belmont Road. She joined us in May 2023. Lauren particularly loves seeing the improvement of poorly animals and speaking to clients. Whilst not at work, Lauren likes to spend time listening to country music and socialising with friends and family.
Martina, originally from Slovakia has lived most of her life in the UK but has also spent some time in France and Canada too. She has recently graduated from Nottingham in 2024 and moved up to Aberdeen to start her first job as a vet here at Ashgrove. She loves hiking, finding new food places, cooking new recipes and of-course cuddling fur babies.