Top Scottish operator
26 July 2023
The top machinery operator in Scotland was crowned in the Scottish Plant Operator Challenge which took place at Errol Airfield in Perth.
Gordon Durno, who works for Currie Contractors in Moray, came top in the competition which was organised by the Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) and sponsored by Morris Leslie Plant Hire, Blackwood Plant Hire, Balgownie, JCB, Tygris Industrial and Kubota.
Gordon, aged 56, has honed his skill during a long career in the plant industry.
Contestants undertook a number of challenges that included trenching, shaping, digging, grading, loading and handling tasks, with individual winners in each category as well as the overall champion.
The competition attracted entrants from as far north as Shetland down to the Borders. 30 per cent of the contenders were self-employed.
Chris Bushell from the National Construction College, who was one of the judges, said: “It was great to see so many operators turn out for the event and represent the plant sector. These events provide a great opportunity to promote the plant operator profession and recognise the unsung workforce who support the wider construction industry and share their vast experience with new entrants coming into the industry.”
SPOA President Callum Mackintosh said that the competition had exceeded expectations.
“To see plant owners and suppliers pulling together to put this event on and plant operators from all over Scotland taking on the challenges, many of them walking in as strangers but leaving as friends was just brilliant to see,” he said.
Morris Leslie added: “We were delighted to sponsor this event and see it take place at Errol Airfield during the Classic Plant & Tractor Working Weekend. It was a great day for the industry and a real showcase of the talent we have in Scotland. Well done to everyone who took part.”
The winners of the Challenge shared a prize pot of £3,000 with £1,800 awarded to the winner, £900 to the runner-up and £300 to third place.
Winner Gordon Durno is pictured flanked by Callum Mackintosh, left, and Morris Leslie.
Photo: David Wylie, Earthmovers Magazine
