Neil graduated from the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, Aberdeen in 1990. During his studies, he spent his third year on an architectural exchange at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, studying under Professor Alfred Caldwell. On graduation Neil joined Howard Liddell Associates (Gaia Architects), for a short period, working on ecologically driven projects. Prior to this and during his year out from study, he had principally worked on a large scale commercial works with the Building Design Partnership. In 1992, Neil moved to Glenelg and formed the Corrary Partnership to work in timber and land management.

During his time in Glenelg, Neil set up as a self-employed architectural practitioner under his own name and started to apply his knowledge and love of indigenous timber to architecture. He initially worked on a series of small and local buildings and projects that explored its use. During this time, he also taught on a part-time basis at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, Aberdeen.

In 1999, Neil relocated from Glenelg to Inverness. He scaled up the works undertaken by the practice to include the first of the commercial works, best illustrated in the award winning Renewable Energy Office Building, in Dalry, Dumfries & Galloway for Natural Power Consultants, completed in 2001. The move to Inverness widened Neil’s exposure and client base, and gave him the opportunity to formally set up a construction side to the business, which now trades as MAKAR Ltd.

Neil qualified as an architect in 2004, and has since become an architectural advisor to a number of regional groups, particularly within the Highland timber and construction sector. He regularly presents lectures to wider audiences.