As if rowing 9000 miles across the Pacific Ocean wasn’t enough achievement to scratch their adventurous itch for a month or two, those Maclean Brothers were back at the derring do again last week, this time playing the highest altitude folk gig in the history of the Celtic Connections festival.
The Macleans – avowed folkies who took trad instruments with them on their epic Pacific charity challenge – lugged their accordion, bagpipes and guitar up to the summit of Ben Lomond to play a wee set promoting their upcoming Celtic Connections appearance at The Old Fruitmarket.
Students of Scottish-themed publicity stunts would not be mistaken in identifying the fingerprints of Innis & Gunn all over this one, as the beer brewer continues its campaign of partnering with cultural institutions and events.
As well as being headline partner of Celtic Connections, Innis & Gunn is looking forward to a year of exposure and pouring at The Edinburgh Castle Concerts, The Royal Highland Show, Belladrum Festival and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Founder and master brewer at Innis & Gunn, Dougal Sharp, said: “Creating an award-winning premium lager in Scotland means taking the same care and ambition into how we show up culturally.
“Teaming up with the Maclean Brothers and Celtic Connections to put on a gig at the top of Ben Lomond just made sense. It brings together world class Scottish music, an iconic landscape, and a premium lager brewed to match the occasion. It is a moment that simply could not happen anywhere else.”
After completing the winter ascent – 3196 feet in bitter winter conditions – the brothers toasted the summit with cans of Innis & Gunn Alcohol Free Lager, before heading back down to a local pub for more pints, tunes and a post-climb session.
Jamie Maclean said: “We carried our instruments with us all the way across the Pacific, so to be back home playing them on a Scottish summit, and as part of Celtic Connections with Innis & Gunn, felt incredibly special.
“Standing on the mountain in winter, with nothing but snow and sky around us, was a challenge in itself. It felt like another very Scottish test – tough conditions and big rewards, with music bringing it all together.”
Celtic Connections, Glasgow’s annual folk, roots and world music festival, celebrates Celtic music and its connections to cultures across the globe, welcoming artists and audiences from around the world each January.
The festival’s creative producer Donald Shaw added: “Our partnership with Innis & Gunn is built on a shared belief in quality, creativity and doing things with real intent. Their support for the festival goes far beyond branding and is rooted in a genuine commitment to Scottish culture.
“The Maclean Brothers share our adventurous spirit. Just like them, Celtic Connections never shies away from a challenge.
“Putting on a huge festival in the depths of winter involving more than 1200 musicians from around the world is no mean feat. It involves hours of graft and team work – something the brothers know all about!
“Bringing their music into the landscape that shapes so much of Scotland’s identity felt like a powerful and meaningful way to get everyone excited for the 2026 festival.”
