Hi, I’m Glen McGill, and I’ve always enjoyed combining two sides of life that most people don’t think go together — practical, outdoor work and creative, digital fun. I work full-time for Glasgow Gutters, a local company that helps homeowners and businesses with gutter cleaning, repairs, and replacements all across Glasgow. But when I’m not up a ladder, clearing leaves or fixing downpipes, I like to relax and unwind by playing around with digital creativity — especially using platforms like Giphy. You might think it’s a strange mix — gutter work and animated GIFs — but to me, it makes perfect sense. Both involve solving problems, paying attention to small details, and sharing a message, whether that message is “Your home is protected from rain” or “Here’s a funny loop of a dancing dog.” I love how Giphy gives anyone, including someone like me with no formal training in design, a chance to create, express, and just have a bit of fun. I first found Giphy a few years back when I was looking for a funny GIF to reply to a mate in a group chat. I didn’t realise back then that you could actually make your own. That opened up a whole new world for me. I’ve always liked messing around with my phone camera, taking quick videos of the places I visit for work — rooftops, sunrises over the city, or even the pouring rain bouncing off a freshly cleared gutter. So, I started turning some of those little clips into GIFs. They were simple at first, but the more I tried, the more I learned. I discovered you don’t need to be a graphic designer to make something fun or meaningful. With a bit of time and curiosity, anyone can learn to add captions, add filters, trim clips, and turn ordinary moments into something sharable. And that’s what I really enjoy — taking something everyday, like a splash of water running through a gutter, and turning it into a small creative loop that can make someone smile or even teach them something. When I’m not making GIFs, I’m working hard as part of the Glasgow Gutters team. We’re one of the top-ranked gutter service specialists operating in Glasgow, and we’ve earned that reputation by being dependable, fair, and friendly. Rain is no joke here — Glasgow gets its fair share (and then some), so having clean, working gutters is more important than many people realise. When gutters are blocked or damaged, water has nowhere to go. It starts spilling over, causing problems like damp walls, foundation damage, or even flooding. Our team helps prevent that. We clean out gutters, repair broken parts, install new systems when needed, and always take the time to do the job right. I like being part of something that actually protects people’s homes. There’s real value in that. And sometimes, I even take short videos on the job and later turn them into small animations — like time-lapse clips of a gutter going from clogged to clean, or a rainy scene that’s oddly calming to watch. Giphy has given me a fun way to combine my day job with something creative. I’ve even thought about starting a little GIF collection based on gutter care — something lighthearted, like a series of animations that say things like “Time to clean your gutters” or “Don’t let the rain in.” It could be a fun way to remind people to take care of something important around their homes, without being too serious. Maybe even add a bit of humour — like a GIF of water splashing off a clogged gutter with the caption, “Oops!” What I like most about Giphy is how simple and friendly it is. You don’t need a big plan or a fancy project. You can just have a silly idea, try it out, and see how it looks. Some of my favourite GIFs aren’t flashy or polished — they’re just little moments captured in motion. A bird flying through the sky. Rain dripping slowly. A ladder being set up. These short clips might not seem like much, but they’re fun to share, and they help tell stories without needing long paragraphs or video files. It reminds me a lot of my work at Glasgow Gutters, to be honest. People often overlook how important gutters are until something goes wrong. The work we do might not be flashy or glamorous, but it matters. And just like a well-timed GIF can make someone laugh or feel seen, a properly working gutter system gives peace of mind. When it rains (and it always rains in Glasgow), our customers know their homes are protected — and that’s a good feeling. Outside of work, I still like to keep busy with small creative projects. I’ve even started thinking about making short educational GIFs or animations for people who want to learn more about home maintenance, especially first-time homeowners. There are lots of little tips and tricks we use every day that could be helpful to others — like how to spot signs your gutters need cleaning, how to tell if a downpipe is blocked, or even just how water is supposed to flow across your roof. Sharing those things through simple moving images feels more fun and more useful than just writing it all out. I’ve also thought about encouraging more tradespeople like me to explore their creative side online. A lot of people in hands-on jobs think digital creativity isn’t for them — but I’m proof that you don’t need a fancy degree or expensive software to enjoy making something cool. If you’ve got a phone and a bit of time, you can share a part of your world in a new way. Whether it’s funny moments from a job site or peaceful views from a rooftop, it’s all part of your story. And someone else out there will enjoy it too. At the end of the day, I love the balance I’ve found between physical work and creative play. During the day, I get to work outdoors, climb ladders, help people, and solve real problems. Then in the evenings or weekends, I can relax by putting together a quick GIF, browsing what others have made, and maybe even making someone smile. It’s a good mix. It keeps me thinking, learning, and enjoying what I do. If you ever find yourself needing help with your gutters and you’re in Glasgow, you can always call us at Glasgow Gutters. We’re a small, hard-working team that cares about doing the job right. Whether you need a simple clean, a repair after a storm, or a full new system, we’re ready to help — with no pressure, no hidden costs, and lots of friendly advice. And if you just want to chat about gutter care or making GIFs (or both), I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned. Glasgow Gutters City Park 368 Alexandra Parade Glasgow G31 3AU Phone: 014 1266 0185