Highland born accordionist and MG Alba Scots Trad Awards ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ winner, Gary Innes has been performing and composing music for over two decades. Born in the village of Spean Bridge in the North of Scotland, Gary is one of the founding members of award-winning Scottish super-group Mànran,
He picked up an accordion for the first time at the age of 8 and has never looked back. Gary released his first solo album How’s the Craic in 2005 and more recently his second and third album with ERA (2017) and IMMINENT (2019) to great critical acclaim, with Tim Carroll writing “Innes’ work is more than one man’s reflection, it’s a view into the world of a master at work.”
Gary has also recorded four albums with his current band Mànran, as well as albums with Ewan Robertson and all-accordion group Box Club.
Gary has performed in over 30 countries worldwide.
Adding another string to his bow, Gary began presenting the longest running radio show on BBC Radio Scotland – the world renowned Take the Floor, taking over from the legendary Dr Robbie Shepherd MBE in 2016. In 2020 he was also given his own show on a Sunday evening on BBC Radio Scotland called, Your Requests with Gary Innes.
It’s little wonder BBC Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe has described him as being “a Jack of all trades and a master of all.”
Gary is an ex-Scottish Shinty captain and Internationalist and has won the Camanachd Cup final with his team Fort William on no less than 5 occasions. During his Shinty career Gary is one of the very few players to hold every senior medal within the game. Having retired in 2014, Gary is still involved within the sport and covers the live televised games for the BBC from the warmth of the commentary box.
For over 15 years Gary was also an auxiliary fire fighter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and for 9 years a First Responder in his home village of Spean Bridge.