In 1995, MacDonald joined Gillespie of Lenzie, becoming Motability Specialist after transferring to the Tomkins branch in Glasgow's East End in 1997.

The company was taken over by the Arnold Clark organisation in 2006 As Motability Specialist, MacDonald looked after the needs of vehicle users with disabilities throughout their contracts.

This experience led to him becoming a volunteer with the Kirkintilloch Citizens' Advice Bureau from 2004 to 2006 and to study Democracy and Social Policy with the Open University where he gained a BSc.

He is currently vice-chair of the Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East Constituency Labour Party and is a member of the GMB Trade Union.

In the 2007 Local Government Election, MacDonald was returned as one of three councillors for East Kirkintilloch and Twechar Ward, where he also lives.