[1] At the age of ten he began learning the cello, then four years later started playing double bass.

[1] He heard Scottish jazz musicians at workshops taught by his father on Saturday mornings.

[1] He played in a youth band led by Tommy Smith until 2004 when he traveled to London to attend the Royal Academy of Music.

[1] At the school he met three people who would become bandmates: Trish Clowes, Kit Downes, and Freddie Gavita.

[1] Gourlay has taught at the Royal Academy and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance[2] With Kit Downes With Tommy Smith and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra With others