2023 CHIEFTAiN

Gary Innes

On behalf of the organising committee, I very much look forward to welcoming Gary Innes as our 2023 Chieftain.  We are so lucky to have someone as renowned as Gary and also continues to link our committee's roots with shinty.

Duncan McAlister, Chairman

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,

Gary has performed in over 30 countries worldwide and adding another string to his bow, 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. Gary also featured on the front cover of Runrig’s album, ‘Everything You See’ and joined the band on many of their major Scottish shows, including their final farewell concerts at Stirling Castle to 50,000 people.