• 1970
• 1975
• 1976
• 1981
• 1994
• 2004
• 2005
• 2010
• 2011
• today

• 
  

  1970

  One of the early pioneers of Edinburgh’s optics scene, W M McGrath,started a business in Queensferry Street. The son of the business, J A Murray McGrath, began to dispense the new modern contact lenses from the business’s basement. Popularity grew and in time, business was too great to sustain in one premises.

• 
  

  1975

  During the mid seventies, Murray moved the contact lens practice into the family home at Randolph Cliff. There it continued to blend with the main business so lenses and glasses were kept relatively separate.

• 
  

  1976

  Having achieved his degree in optometry in Glasgow, Donald Cameron joined the W M McGrath Snr’s business. During his first few years, Donald’s interest in contact lens work grew.

• 
  

  1981

  Murray and Donald agreed terms of a new partnership and McGrath and Cameron was established. Always keen to expand his clinical horizons, Donald took up a session each week in the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh. Over time the doctors there increasingly referred hospital patients, who required contact lenses for medical reasons, to McGrath and Cameron.

• 
  

  1994

  The partnership grew in strength and activity with Heather Grandon joining in 1994, bringing new skills and new patients to the practice until eventually it became too large for the space available in Randolph Cliff.

• 
  

  2004

  Murray retired and continued business growth meant this was the ideal time to recruit new premises in the current location, 5 St Vincent Street. This has allowed the business to develop for many years to come.

• 
  

  2005

  As Heather Grandon left for six months maternity leave, Ian Cameron, Donald’s son steps in. Ian had qualified from Manchester University two years previously and was particularly interested in contact lens related research.

• 
  

  2010

  Gillian Bruce is recruited to cover for Heather’s second maternity leave proving to be such an excellent fit with the practice’s culture, values and abilities that she is kept on in a full-time capacity.

• 
  

  2011

  Donald retires having been actively involved in ongoing hospital work to focus on his new role as Director of Education for NES – focusing on continuing professional development for optometrists in Scotland. Ian takes over as Managing Director.

• 
  

  today

  The optometry practice has now a solid base from which to expand its services. The hallmark of the consulting rooms is the high level of specialist eye care equipment and mark of the practitioners is our commitment to maintaining the very highest standards of clinical skill and care.

+
-