A POPULAR musician, broadcaster and sportsman is set to bring his award-winning traditional music ‘super group’ to the Borders next month.

Gary Innes will head to Innerleithen’s Memorial Hall on Saturday, May 11, after a sold-out performance in Inverness earlier this month.

The Scottish presenter of BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Take the Floor’ and ‘Your Requests with Gary Innes’ shows will be joined by his band Mànran.

Innes first picked up an accordion at the age of eight and has not looked back since.

A band spokesperson said: “He [Innes] formed Mànran in 2010 and the band have gone on to win numerous awards and establish themselves at the heart of the Scottish traditional music scene for over a decade.

“The seven-piece show no signs of slowing down as they continue to push boundaries and explore new musical and geographical territory, bringing their uplifting and unique live performances to more than 30 countries across the world.

“Their hugely loyal fanbase is built on the strength of their self-penned tunes performed on a mixture of traditional and modern instruments, outstanding songs in Gaelic and English and vibrant live performances.”

In addition to being an award-winning musician, Innes is also a former Shinty player, and captained Scotland Shinty for their annual fixture against the Ireland Hurling team, where he led the Scottish side to victory at Croke Park, Dublin, in 2010.

After becoming one of the few players to hold every senior medal in the game, Innes retired in 2014, but remains involved with the sport as a commentator for live matches broadcast on the BBC.

He has also worked as an auxiliary firefighter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for more than 15 years, and for nine years he has been a First Responder in his home village of Spean Bridge in the Highlands.

The current Mànran tour includes shows at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness, Perth Concert Hall, and the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh, before heading off to England and Germany.

The concert at the Memorial Hall on May 11 is the only date for Mànran in the Borders during 2024, and their first for many years.

Tickets are available in Innerleithen from The Hub and the Durty Brewery Taproom or online at: www.manran.co.uk