His singing of the Burns songs has taken him to countries throughout the world. In fact, every January he does a "Robert Burns" tour of Germany.

He is himself, an exceptional songwriter and has recorded many CDs of his own compositions.

However, his introduction to the "Songs of Robert Burns" series by Doctor Fred Freeman was also an introduction to a whole new audience and fan base. Ian had always enjoyed Robert Burns' songs and often included them in his concerts. It was the close working relationship he developed with Dr. Fred that opened his ears to a vast amount of unsung material of the highest quality. Ian’s interpretation of these songs was so impressive that he released his own CD on Linn Records dedicated solely to Burns and titled "Alloway Tales". The success of this CD speaks for itself.

A former pupil of Rutherglen Academy, Ian profited from the enduring influence of Norman Buchan which introduced so many pupils of that school to Scots and Folk songs. Moreover, the prominence of Folk Music in the home during his adolescence ensured Ian would retain an interest in the music and by the early 1980s he was appearing regularly throughout the country and abroad at clubs and festivals in a duo with his brother. In 1986 Ian took to the road as a solo artiste and has never looked back.