Mike Bailey was born and educated in Cheshire.

In 1956, after leaving school, he entered the scientific civil service, working as a meteorologist in civil aviation and, subsequently, at the Glasgow Weather Centre. From 1971 until 1974 he was a regular broadcaster with BBC Radio Scotland.  From 1961 to 1964 Mike worked as oceanographer and meteorologist with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, researching aspects of marine biology and sedimentation in the Solway Firth. During that period he contributed to a series of scientific papers describing the radio biology of the Solway. From 1968 until 1971 he served as meteorologist with the Royal Air Force in Germany.

In 1976, after completing an honours degree in Earth Sciences and Social Science, Mike became Museum and Gallery Organiser with Kyle and Carrick District Council, beginning a new career in the Arts.

Until his early retirement, in 1997, Mike was based at Rozelle Park (Ayr), taking responsibility for the management of the Museum Collection and the development of the Maclaurin Art Gallery and the Maclaurin Art Collection. During this period the Maclaurin Collection was developed, with the support of the National Fund for Acquisitions and the Scottish Arts Council, becoming one of the foremost collections of contemporary British Art in Scotland. Exhibitions by major British artists such as Alan Davie, Bridget Riley, Henry Moore and Patrick Heron were organised during Mike's tenure as Gallery Director and these artists were also represented in the collections.

Mike has always had an interest in theatre, working as actor, stage lighting designer and stage director since his days in primary school. For a number of years he was closely associated with the Green Room Club of Carlisle, Ayr Intimate Opera and the Compass Club. He was lighting designer for Clonter Opera Theatre (Albert Herring and La Boheme) and the first Lakeland Festival (Mozart's Schauspieler) in 1987. He designed the lighting for Opera West's touring production of Amahl and the Night Visitors (1990-91). He has worked with the Kirkcudbright Arts Festival, providing technical support for visiting European companies. 

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