Our Staff
Quality Veterinary Care in Alford and Ballater
We are proud to introduce our team of experienced veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and support staff at Morven Veterinary Practice. As a team we can help you meet all your pet’s health care needs.
A team of passionate and experienced animal experts
Get in touchWe are currently seeking a part time Mixed Animal Vet to join our team. As this is to expand our team of vets, we currently anticipate being able to offer 1-2 days per week, however for the right candidate we are happy to be flexible. We are always keen to hear from Vets, Nurses and Veterinary Administrative staff who would like to discuss taking on a role with us.
We are a registered nurse training practice and have two qualified VetGDP advisers. We enjoy taking school, nursing and veterinary students for work and EMS placements.
To enquire more about a role or placement with us, you can call us on 019755 62339 or email your CV or enquiries to george@morvenvets.co.uk
Veterinary Surgeons
Neil Crossling BVMS MRCVS (Director)
Neil graduated as a vet from the University of Glasgow in 1979 and has worked in Alford since 1985. He founded Morven Veterinary Practice in 1999. He is a mixed practice vet, treating all species of animal. He enjoys hill walking in his spare time.
K Sophie PainterVetMB MSc MRCVS
Sophie graduated from Cambridge University in 1990, and after a career in mixed practice has been with Morven Vets since September 2011. Sophie is a purely small animal vet and works Wednesdays and Fridays in our Ballater practice and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in our Alford practice.
Sarah NivenBVetMed MRCVS
Sarah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College London in 2010, and after working in the Isle of Man and Falkirk came to work at Morven Vets in August 2013. She is a mixed practice vet, treating all species of animal, and has a particular interest in small animal surgery.
George NivenBVMS MRCVS
George graduated from the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine in 2013, and worked as a Locum at a number of practices across the northeast of Scotland before joining Morven Vets in August 2019. George enjoys spending his free time with his family and pets. He is a mixed practice vet, treating all species of animal.
Dr Freya MathiesonBVMS MRCVS
Freya graduated from the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine in 2022, and joined us at Morven Vets in September of the same year. Freya is a keen musician enjoying a wide array of instruments. Her hobbies include drawing, crocheting and spending time with her horses. She is a mixed practice vet, treating all species of animal.
Daniel IrwinBVMS MRCVS
Daniel grew up on his family farm in Northern Ireland. He graduated from the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. Daniel has a wealth of experience working across the UK in a number of practices, before joining us at Morven Vets in January 2023. He enjoys the variety of mixed work.
Veterinary Nurses
Erica Manning RVN(Head Nurse)
Erica qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2012, and after working in an orthopaedic referral practice has been with Morven Vets since November 2013. She has 2 dogs - Leo and Nettle, and loves taking them for long walks in her spare time. She also has some chickens! Erica is currently studying for a Higher Diploma in Canine behaviour and psychology. Erica is a clinical coach for student nurses.
Fiona Lockhead RVN CertVNECC
Fiona qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2021. She has been with us since her days helping out as a school student back in 2015. Fiona completed her HNC in Animal Care from SRUC Craibstone in 2018 and completed her Level 3 diploma in Veterinary Nursing via SRUC with us in May 2021. In 2023 Fiona completed her Emergency and Critical Care certificate. She is clinical coach for Student Nurses well as being a mentor to Animal Care Students.
Josi Margraf RVN
Josi is originally from Germany and moved to Scotland in 2012. She completed her NC in Animal Care from SRUC Craibstone in June 2020 and completed her Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing via SRUC with us in October 2022. She has two dogs called Kaiser and Bella, who are both “labradorable”.
Katie Thomson SVN
Katie joined us in September 2022 and completed her Veterinary Care Assistant course in 2023 with SRUC. She is currently undertaking her Veterinary Nurse training as an apprentice with us via SRUC Oatridge College. She has two cocker spaniels called Ciara and Hamish. In her spare time Katie enjoys socialising with friends and walking her dogs.
Support Staff
June Mackie(Alford Reception)
June is our longest serving receptionist, having joined Morven Vets in January 2007. June has a wealth of experience working here and enjoys the variety that comes with the job.
Hilda Stewart(Alford Reception)
Hilda is a local girl who was brought up nearby on a farm in Towie. She knows many of our clients personally. Hilda joined Morven Vets in September 2016 and still thoroughly enjoys her work especially meeting and greeting our patients and clients.
Sue Ogg(Alford Reception)