Hall of Fame

Debuting against Wales in 1900, David Revell Bedell-Sivright went on to win 22 Scotland caps. A pioneer of the wing forward role, he was regarded as the hardest man to play for Scotland and is the only Scot ever to play in three Triple Crown winning sides (1901, 1903 and 1907).

He was the only player to tour with both the 1903 and 1904 British Isles sides (captaining the 1904 Australasia tour, aged 23) and also captained Scotland. After he retired from international rugby he became the 1909 Scottish heavyweight amateur boxing champion! A surgeon, by profession, he died on active service at Gallipoli.

George Philip Stewart Macpherson, a centre/stand-off from Oxford University and Edinburgh Academicals, won 26 caps for Scotland. Making his international debut against France in 1922, he played in Scotland’s matches that season and went on to score his first try for his country against Wales in 1924. In 1925, he captained Scotland to their first Grand Slam.

Rated the most brilliant attacking centre of his era bar none, he played his last game against England in 1932, a season during which he also played against the touring South Africans.

The small-sided version of our great game came about thanks to Borders’ lad Edward ‘Ned’ Haig. Born in Jedburgh on 7 December 1858, he moved to Melrose as a youth, taken on as an apprentice by local butcher, Davie Sanderson.

After playing in the town’s annual Fastern’s E’en Ba – a traditional ball game, played on the Thursday before Lent – Ned became interested in the related game of rugby and he and Davie joined the local Melrose RFC side in 1880. Starting off in the seconds, he soon made forays into the first XV and also made appearances for the South.

In 1883, however, Ned’s Melrose club was reportedly suffering a shortage of cash and, during a club meeting, Ned – who was then captain – suggested putting on a (rugby) tournament as part of a fundraising sports day. There wasn’t enough time to play several full XV rugby games in one afternoon, so teams were pared down to seven men, with match times reduced to 15 minutes.

On 28 April 1883, a cold and wet day, the first Melrose Sports kicked off at 12.30 at the Greenyards. The event included foot races, drop-kicks, dribbling races and place kicking as well as the main draw of the rugby tournament – the ‘Football Game’ – which attracted eight teams and around 1600 spectators. As play progressed, Melrose – for whom scrum half Ned and stand off Davie Sanderson had formed a great pairing – and Gala were left to decide the result of the final. After fifteen minutes of a fast and bruising encounter, but with no score, the captains agreed to play another quarter of an hour. After ten minutes, Melrose scored a try and claimed the cup – funded and presented by the ladies of the town – and the sport of rugby sevens was born.

After he retired from playing, Ned continued to be active in the Melrose club, serving for several seasons on the general and match committees, and also enjoyed taking part in cricket, curling and golf. He died in Melrose on 29 March 1939, his legacy to rugby and the world of sport truly immense.

As Ned Haig gave sevens to the world, so the trophy that’s played for during the final leg of the HSBC World Series in Edinburgh has been named in recognition of his contribution; and in 2008 the IRB inducted Ned Haig and Melrose RFC into its Hall of Fame. Altogether not bad going for a Borders’ butcher!

Kenneth James Forbes Scotland – a full-back/stand-off, from Heriot’s, Cambridge University, Leicester and Aberdeenshire – won 32 caps for his country.

Both his debut and last internationals came against France at Colombes, the former in 1957 – where he scored all Scotland’s points – and the latter in 1965. He was a world-class and gifted individual, who set new standards for full-back play, pioneering the counter-attack role – a player ahead of his time. One of the stars of the 1959 Lions tour to Australasia, scoring 12 tries, he also represented Scotland in cricket.

Alexander Bennett Carmichael MBE, from West of Scotland, was one of the speediest, most versatile props ever to pull on an international jersey.

Making his debut against Ireland in 1967, he went on to earn 50 caps, a record for a Scottish forward at the time, and was notably involved in two heroic try-saving tackles in the victory over France in 1969. He played for the British Lions on the 1971 tour to New Zealand. One of the bravest and fairest players to grace the game, his last international came against Ireland in 1978.

Andrew Robertson Irvine MBE earned 51 caps – 15 as captain – and scored 273 points for Scotland. One of rugby’s greatest running full backs, from Heriot’s, he made his international debut against the All Blacks in 1972.

With blistering pace and attacking from deep, he could turn off either foot and produce a thrilling display from nothing. Scotland’s first real superstar player, he also took part in television’s Superstars competition in 1978 and 1982, finishing respectively third and second in the British final. Selected for the British Lions against South Africa (1974 and 1980) and New Zealand (1977), he scored a record five tries in a single game during the latter tour.

Uncompromising in both attack and defence, Finlay Calder made his Scotland debut against France in 1986.

The open side flanker, from Stewart’s Melville, went on to win 34 caps, his final international against New Zealand in the 1991 World Cup. Gritty, determined and a ruthless tackler, alongside Derek White and John Jeffrey he made up one of Scotland’s greatest back rows. He was the first Scottish player to captain the British Lions since Campbell-Lamerton in 1966, the first winning captain since Willie John McBride in 1974 and the only 20th century captain to lead the team to a series victory after losing the opening Test.

No history of Scottish rugby would be complete without the inclusion of William Pollock McLaren CBE. If the world’s green fields provided the backdrop, and the Browns, Calders, Hastings et al the figures, then it was the voice of rugby that brought the sport’s rich tapestry alive.

Born in 1923, Bill’s early life was steeped in rugby, listening to tales of legends at Mansfield Park alongside his father, while delighting in the skills of his Hawick heroes.

Developing into a useful flanker, he went on to realise his dream of playing in the green jersey. His Hawick years were then interrupted by active service with the Royal Artillery in Italy during the Second World War.

After participating in a Scotland trial in 1947 and on the verge of a full international cap, Bill contracted tuberculosis and was forced to give up dreams not only of a Scotland berth but playing altogether. It was while hospitalised, however, that he tuned into broadcasting, commentating on table tennis games via the hospital radio.

Having studied physical education in Aberdeen, he went on to teach PE in the Borders and coached several Hawick youngsters who went on to represent Scotland including Jim Renwick, Colin Deans and Tony Stanger.

His media career kicked off as a junior reporter with the Hawick Express then the Glasgow Herald. In 1953, he made his national debut for BBC Radio, covering Scotland’s 12–0 loss to Wales. Fittingly, his last international TV commentary described the movements of the same combatants, at Cardiff some 49 years later.

For fifty years, his voice was synonymous with rugby, across the world. His overwhelming enthusiasm for the game was only matched by his vast knowledge, incredible attention to detail and totally unbiased views. His commentaries brought many fans to the game who had never watched a match and he truly was rugby’s greatest ambassador.

Awarded the MBE, OBE and CBE, the Freedom of Scottish Rugby in 2000 and the first non-international player to be inducted into the IRB’s Hall of Fame in 2001, Bill switched off his mic in 2002, his last ever commentary being saved for his beloved Melrose Sevens.

After a long illness, Hawick’s favourite son passed away peacefully at the local hospital in January 2010, aged 86. His memorial evening at Murrayfield Stadium saw the world of rugby converge from all corners of the globe to pay tribute to a real legend and a true gentleman.

Making his international debut against France in 1986, alongside brother Scott and David Sole, Andrew Gavin Hastings OBE, of Watsonians, London Scottish and Cambridge University, won a total of 61 caps for his country.

A world-class full back, he was Scotland’s leading points scorer of his generation, was pivotal in Tony Stanger’s match-winning try in the 1990 Grand Slam decider and, in 1995, scored the try and conversion that gave Scotland their first victory in Paris since 1969. Solid in defence, heroic in attack and superb with the boot, he captained Scotland and the British Lions.

Sir Ian Robert McGeechan OBE made his international debut as a player against New Zealand in 1972. At centre, he was capped 32 times for Scotland – 20 at centre and 12 at standoff – led his country on nine occasions, and toured with the unbeaten British Lions in 1974 and in 1977, playing in all eight Tests.

He played his last international, against France, in 1979 and, in 1986, became the assistant Scotland coach. Promoted to coach in 1988, his team won a Grand Slam victory in the Five Nations Championship. British Lions coach in 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2009, he re-joined Scotland as head coach in 1999. He is currently performance director with Bath.

Traversing the touchline for both his country and the British Lions,the contribution of James William Telfer to rugby at all levels over the last forty years has been immense.

Born in Melrose in 1940 and turning out in his youth for his home side and South of Scotland, he went on to represent Scotland at flanker.

He accrued 22 caps between his debut in the victory over France in 1964 and his last appearance, against Ireland in 1970; had it not been for injury, he would undoubtedly have won more. In most of these games he captained Scotland; in those that he didn’t, he was inevitably the leader of the pack, directing operations and exerting his authority.

Compensating for his lesser speed with impressive power, he was an amazingly fit player for his time, courageous, determined and technically excellent.

As a player, his moment came in 1969. Having defended bravely against an ever-threatening French side, the Scots secured victory when Telfer snatched a late try in the corner. It was to be another 26 years before Scotland won again in Paris.

A teacher by profession, first in chemistry and then a headmaster, Telfer was a natural leader whose authoritative air immediately commanded respect.

Selected for the Lions in 1966 and 1968, he was greatly impressed and hugely influenced by the style of play he witnessed on that first venture to New Zealand. He made 22 appearances during the 1966 tour and in 1968, though hampered by injury, he still led the Lions pack in more than half their 20 matches.

First appointed a national coach to Scotland B in 1974, he went on to coach Scotland to victory in the Grand Slam of 1984 and, as assistant to Ian McGeechan, to a second Slam in 1990. During his second term as head coach, in 1998/99, Scotland won the final Five Nations Championship.

Renowned for his punishing training sessions, he was head coach to the British and Irish Lions on their tour of New Zealand in 1983 and was assistant coach, with particular responsibility for the forwards, on the Lions tour of South Africa in 1997. Alongside countryman and rugby soulmate, Ian McGeechan, the Lions went on to score a famous Series victory.

Legendary Scotland second row and a fully-paid up component of the Mean Machine; a triple Lion and fierce competitor in the Battle of Boet Erasmus; a ruthless assassin on the pitch and a true gentleman off the field of play. Gordon Lamont Brown.

‘Broon frae Troon’ was born into sport – the son of Scotland goalkeeper John Brown, nephew of footballers Tom and Jim Brown, younger brother of Scotland back-row Peter Brown and with a mother who could wield a hockey stick with some distinction.

Gordon’s early interest was in the round rather than the oval ball. His conversion was reportedly the result of a particularly heated football tie, after which he reckoned ‘rugby would be safer’! He emerged on to the international stage in December 1969, from West of Scotland, having just turned 22.

After a winning debut against South Africa, he retained his place for the Five Nations opener against France. Dropped for the subsequent Wales match, he was replaced by brother Peter who revelled in breaking the news to Gordon. Peter was then injured in the match – and replaced at half-time by his younger sibling; the first occasion where a brother had replaced a brother in an international. When the Browns joined forces against England in 1970, it was the first time brothers had played together for Scotland since Angus and Donald Cameron in 1902.

Immovable in the scrum yet dynamic in the loose, Gordon went onto cement his place in Scotland’s front five of the early 1970s, the formidable Mean Machine that also featured Ian McLauchlan, Frank Laidlaw, Sandy Carmichael and Alastair McHarg. Between 1971 and 1976, Scotland lost just once at home, a narrow defeat to the All Blacks.

A giant of a man, both physically and figuratively, he formed a key partnership in the blue jersey with McHarg, winning 30 caps; in a Lions shirt, he was one of the world’s most ruthless competitors. Not only could he move but his outstanding handling skills resulted in eight tries on the Lions’ 1974 venture – including the brutal Battle of Boet Erasmus – a record for a forward. He played in eight Lions’ Tests between 1971 and 1977, playing a major part in the 1971 and 1974 victories.

His final Test was for the Lions against the All Blacks in 1977, though his hardest battle came two decades later, with the diagnosis of non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A battler to the end, he died in 2001, aged just 53.

Mark Coxon Morrison, a forward from Royal High School FP, won 23 caps for Scotland between 1896 and 1904. Just 18 when he made his international debut against Wales, he went on to captain Scotland on 15 occasions, including two Triple Crowns in 1901 and 1903. He also led the British Isles tour to South Africa in 1903, winning three caps, and was the first Scottish captain to win three Calcutta Cups, a tally, which included his last international against England at Inverleith. Aged 29 he retired from playing to concentrate on his farming business, and went on to be President of the Scottish Rugby Union in season 1934/35.

Ian Scott Smith, born in Melbourne to Scottish parents was educated in Edinburgh and continued to Oxford, then to Edinburgh University where he studied accountancy. He took up rugby at Oxford and played for both his university sides, and London Scottish, on the wing. Scoring twice on his international debut, against Wales in 1924, he went on to win 32 caps and still jointly holds the Scottish try-scoring record (24) with Tony Stanger. He also played for the British Isles touring team in South Africa in 1924. Dubbed the “Flying Scot”, his exceptional pace and high knee action made him a difficult opponent to tackle and his diagonal cross-field punts were delivered with pinpoint accuracy. His eight tries in partnership with Phil Macpherson, against France and Wales in 1925, fuelled Scotland’s Grand Slam that season. After captaining Scotland to the 1933 Grand Slam he hung up his boots, saw active service in World War Two, practised as a solicitor in Edinburgh then retired to Kelso, passing away in 1972.

Born and raised in Hawick, Hugh Ferns McLeod made his international debut against France in 1954 and won his 40 caps at prop consecutively, to set a new Scottish record to beat John Bannerman’s haul of 37.

The ‘Hawick Hardman’ was a fitness fanatic and a superb scrummaging technician who could play on either side of the scrum. A double Lion in 1955 and 1959, he played in all six tests in 1959. He played 14 times for the Barbarians between 1954 and 1959, scoring a try in their 1958 match and in 1955 and 1959, played for Scotland and Ireland sides against England and Wales.

His last international was the draw, against England in March in 1962. Off the field, he worked in the building trade and went on to own a sports shop. He played all his club rugby for Hawick, went on to be President, and was recently named in the club’s greatest ever team.

John ‘Ian’ McLauchlan was born in Tarbolton, Ayrshire and educated at Ayr Academy and Jordanhill College where he studied physical education. The loosehead prop, who played his rugby with Jordanhill, Glasgow and Natal, made his international debut against England at Twickenham in 1969.

He was capped 43 times for Scotland and led the national side on 19 occasions (ten of which Scotland won). An outstanding scrummager and dynamic in the loose, he was central to the British & Irish Lions Test series successes in New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974. Also captain of the Barbarians and the Wolfhounds, his final Scotland cap came against New Zealand at Murrayfield in 1979.

Off the field, McLauchlan was a teacher for 14 years before setting up his own marketing and sponsorship business. He is chairman of the British & Irish Lions Trust, served two terms as Scottish Rugby Union President (2010-12), is a non Executive Director on the Scottish Rugby Board and also serves as one of Scotland’s directors on ERC.

Born and bred in Hawick, where he excelled at swimming as a youngster, James Menzies Renwick had the late Bill McLaren as his PE teacher at school. He played for Hawick Harlequins and Hawick, and was just 19 when he made his Scotland debut, against France in 1972, scoring a try to boot. In all, the centre earned 52 caps for his country – breaking Andy Irvine’s then record of 51, against Romania in 1984, his final international.

At his most dangerous in attack, Renwick excelled at jinking round the opposition, swerving at pace and possessed superb handling skills. A reliable tackler and with an outstanding drop-kick, the stats highlight that he seemed at his best when facing the Welsh, scoring more tries against them than any other side he faced. In 1980 he was selected for the British Lions tour to South Africa and played in one Test. Through the Winning Scotland Foundation, Renwick has been a mentor to Stuart Hogg, the next international player after Renwick – following a 40-year gap – to be capped as a teenager.

While studying to become an architect, David George Leslie was first capped against Ireland in 1975, but did not become a regular in the Scotland squad until 1981. The flanker, from Dundee, West of Scotland and Gala, who represented his country on 32 occasions, is revered as one of the most focussed and fearless players of his generation.

A great reader of the game, his passing and receiving of ball was spectacular. Central to the 1984 Grand Slam campaign, he also scored Scotland’s first try against Romania that year – only his second score for Scotland – and was voted Rugby World’s Player of the Year. He went on to coach Dundee HSFP and the Scotland under-21 side following retirement from playing.

One of the toughest, most dynamic attackers of his generation, Gary Armstrong was first capped, aged 21, against Australia in 1988. The scrum half, from Jed-Forest and Newcastle Falcons, made 51 international appearances and was frequently lauded by Scotland supporters. Alongside Craig Chalmers, he was selected for the 1989 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia and the duo also took centre stage during the 1990 Grand Slam. A noted try-saving tackler, he persecuted his opposition at every opportunity on every playing stage. After captaining Scotland to the final Five Nations Championship in 1999, he retired from international rugby, but continued to play with Newcastle. He hung up his boots finally in 2004 after returning to play club rugby with the Borders.

As an 18-year-old in 1996, Christopher Douglas Paterson made his debut in senior club rugby for Gala, the highlight being a solo try that won the club the 1999 Scottish Cup at Murrayfield.

While studying to become a PE teacher he turned professional, signing first for Glasgow, for whom he played twice, before moving to Edinburgh Rugby. At fullback, Paterson earned his first cap for Scotland against Spain in the 1999 Rugby World Cup and, in one remarkable ten-month period in 2007/08 he kicked 36 consecutive goals for Scotland, not missing a single attempt during the 2007 Rugby World Cup or the 2008 RBS 6 Nations Championship.

He captained Scotland in 2004 and made his final international appearance at the 2011 Rugby World Cup match against England, retiring as Scotland’s leading points scorer (809) and with 109 caps. He continued to play for Edinburgh Rugby until May 2012 when he moved to take on a dual role as Scottish Rugby ambassador and specialist coach.

Edinburgh-born hooker Norman George Robertson Mair made his Scotland debut against France at Colombes in 1951, going on to win another three caps that year. Educated at Merchiston Castle School and Edinburgh Academy, he continued his studies and his rugby at Edinburgh University. Mair was also a gifted cricketer – a left-hand batsman and slow left-arm bowler – and was capped in 1952 for his country.

He went on to become a journalist, primarily for The Scotsman on rugby and golf, and is married to Lewine Mair, who was the first woman to work as a golf correspondent of a national newspaper. In addition to being a panel member for Scottish Rugby’s inaugural Hall of Fame, Mair also held a similar role with the IRB.

A natural athlete with a fine rugby brain, John Young Rutherford made his international debut against Wales in 1979 and won 42 caps for Scotland at fly-half. Playing out of Selkirk and the South, he was picked to play at inside centre on the British Lions tour to New Zealand in 1983 and went on to be a major presence in Scotland’s 1984 Grand Slam. Rutherford partnered Jed-Forest scrum half Roy Laidlaw in 35 tests, at the time a record international half-back pairing. Rutherford also played in the British & Irish Lions side against a Rest of the World XV as part of the IRB centenary celebration in 1986, and his final game for Scotland was their first match in the 1987 Rugby World Cup against France when he sustained a knee injury early in the fixture. After retiring from playing, Rutherford went on to work in the financial sector, and is currently a Director of the Bill McLaren Foundation.

Rutherford came top in the public vote ahead of Gregor Townsend, John Bannerman, Douglas Elliot and Bill Maclagan.

A back-row forward capped 29 times between 1947 and 1954, Douglas Elliot played through one of the darkest periods in Scottish Rugby history and yet his reputation as a phenomenally strong player was global.

He captained Scotland on seven occasions, including his quite awe-inspiring leadership that saw a Welsh team brim full of British Lions usurped 19-0 in 1951.

His work as a farmer, and his loyalty to the family farm in the Borders, meant he never toured on the then six-month sojourns with the British and Irish Lions.

He passed away in 2005 and the outpouring of grief from throughout the rugby world was testimony to his talent.

Donna Kennedy is still the most capped rugby Scot of all time, winning 115 caps for her country in an international career which spanned 17 years and started with Scotland Women’s first ever international against their Irish counterparts in 1993.

Her international journey saw her win a Grand Slam and gain recognition from World Rugby as a Player of the Year.

A hard No 8 from the Biggar club in Lanarkshire, playing retirement was not the end of the story, as coaching in the higher levels of the club game beckoned.

She also gave her name to a cup contested by Scotland’s leading women players.

Mark Robertson retired from the seven-a-side game last May and what a way to bow out! He was part of a Scotland Sevens squad that defeated New Zealand for the first time and, then, five hours later, beat

England at Twickenham to win the London Sevens title on the World Series circuit for the second successive year.

During last season’s World Series, Robertson scored 22 tries, taking his career tally for Scotland 7s above the 100 mark.

He also was a key member of team GB, who on rugby’s return to the Olympics in Rio in 2016, won a silver medal.

During his career, Mark also won Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland A honours. He is now part of the Scotland management team as a strength and conditioning coach and he follows in the footsteps of the creator of sevens, Ned Haig, also of Melrose, by being inducted to the Hall of Fame.

Dr James Robson has given unstinting service to rugby from the club game in Dundee to duty at more than 200 Test matches for Scotland and British and Irish Lions.

Originally a physiotherapist, Dr Robson, Scottish Rugby’s Chief Medical Officer, is one of the longest-serving medics in the game, with six Rugby World Cups and six British & Irish Lions tours to his credit.

He brings to life rugby’s stated aim that the health and welfare of players is paramount.

In addition to his care for elite players, his duties as Chief Medical Officer extend to looking after club players and supporting Scottish Rugby staff.

George Wilson Weir, known to all and sundry as Doddie, was inducted to Scottish Rugby’s Hall of Fame as part of the celebrations for his 50th birthday in 2020.

The 61-times capped Scotland international lock forward and No 8, a British & Irish Lion on their victorious 1997 tour to South Africa, enjoyed a stellar career with Melrose and Newcastle Falcons, winning domestic league titles with both clubs, displaying a larger-than-life personality and no less ability over the course of his playing career, during which he also represented Border Reivers.

His well-documented battle with motor neurone disease, which he confirmed in the summer of 2017, has seen Doddie’s tireless energy and indomitable spirit inspire fund-raising for vital research and has increased awareness of the condition and its impact on sufferers and their families.

Since its inception in November 2017, his charity, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, has raised over £7M and distributed funds to both MND research and to people with the condition to help improve their quality of life.

The 1871 Scotland team who played in the world’s first ever rugby international against England at Raeburn Place Edinburgh on Saturday 27 March 1871 and recorded a victory by a goal and a try to a try.

Backs: Tom Chalmers (Glasgow Accies), William Brown (Glasgow Accies), Alfred Clunies-Ross (St Andrews University)

Half-backs: Thomas Marshall (Edinburgh Accies), John Arthur (Glasgow Accies), Willie Cross (Merchistonians)

Forwards: Francis Moncreiff CAPTAIN, Jim Finlay, Bulldog Irvine, James Mein (all Edinburgh Accies), Daniel Drew (Glasgow Accies), William Lyall (Edinburgh Accies), Andrew Colville (Merchistonians), John Thomson (Glasgow Accies), George Ritchie (Merchistonians), William Forsyth (Edinburgh University), Alexander Robertson (West of Scotland), Robert Munro (St Andrews University), Angus Buchanan (Royal High School FP) and John McFarlane (Edinburgh University).

Dee became the first female President of a Tier One rugby union in the world when she began her two-season term as Scottish Rugby’s President in 2018.

A former police officer, Dee took up rugby after she had represented Great Britain at athletics and played representative netball.

She helped to establish the women’s section at the Oban Lorne club, where she eventually became club president and secretary of the Argyll and Bute club.

She was first elected to the Scottish Rugby Council as women’s representative and served as Scottish Rugby’s first female vice-president from 2016 for two years before her elevation to President.

She also represented Scottish Rugby on Rugby Europe. Her sons, Magnus and Fergus, are both rugby players, Magnus having represented Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby in the back-row and Fergus, Scotland under-20 as a prop.

Vicky Galbraith won 29 caps for Scotland Women as a prop forward out of the Murrayfield Wanderers and Richmond clubs between 1998 and 2002, helping Scotland to the Women’s European championship in 2001. Some 24 hours after that match in Lille, she was back on club duty helping Richmond win the English Women’s club championship at Twickenham.

She pursued a successful career in pharmaceutical anti-cancer drug development but in a horrific irony she found herself diagnosed with a rare cancerous brain tumour.

After undergoing major surgery to remove the tumour and during intensive chemotherapy, Vicky’s thoughts were with others and she put her best foot forward in a massive sponsored Big Walk to Clinic from her birthplace, Portree on the Isle of Skye, where her diagnosis began, to the Beatson Cancer Care Centre in Glasgow.

The 215-mile trek, in April 2011 saw her raise thousands for cancer charities. She died, aged 40, in May 2013.

Keri Holdsworth was capped 15 times for Scotland Women as a back-row forward from the Watsonians club between 2008 and 2010.

As a graduate of Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, she progressed her career as a physiotherapist in NHS Fife but also gave back so much to the sport of rugby, whether at club level with Watsonians, the FASIC Sports Medicine Centre at Edinburgh University or with Scotland age-grade teams and international players.

She was also a physiotherapist volunteer at the 2012 Olympics in London and was immensely supportive of young players developing in rugby, bringing her skills and enthusiasm for the game to girls’ festivals and tournaments.

Sadly, she died in a car crash in the north of England in June 2014 but the esteem in which she is held is evident from the creation of a Keri Holdsworth scholarship at Edinburgh University.

Kim Littlejohn, a hard-running centre originally from Kirkcaldy, was one of the trail-blazers for women’s rugby in Scotland.

She won 43 caps between 1993 and 2000 out of the Edinburgh Accies club that she joined having taken up the sport at Edinburgh University. She played in the first international, a win against Ireland at Raeburn Place in 1993, and went on to captain Scotland in 29 of her 43 caps.

She led Scotland to, thus far, their only Grand Slam in the Women’s game, fittingly scoring a try in the 8-5 victory over England at Inverleith in March 1998 which crowned that success.

She was renowned for creating opportunities for fellow players to shine and also for her uncompromising defence.

Ally Ratcliffe nee Little won six caps for Scotland Women as an inside centre/ full-back out of the Langholm, Waterloo and Carlisle clubs in 2000.

She started playing mini-rugby at the Langholm club as an eight-year-old and was so passionate about rugby at the oldest club in the Borders that she returned from university and teacher training to become, ultimately, the first female head coach of a men’s club first XV in Scotland in 2013 when she feared had she not stepped forward that the club was on the brink of folding.

After a season as head coach, she became de facto director of rugby and working alongside others, including Langholm’s former DO, Iain Park, she established youth infrastructures that are working to this day. As a teacher, deputy rector, at Hawick High School, Ally also provided invaluable guidance and help to a promising young rugby talent.

That talent has flourished as Lisa Thomson is now a pivotal member of the Scotland Women’s team.

The loosehead prop, who won 61 caps for Scotland, was an instrumental figure in Scotland’s 1999 Five Nations Championship success, and played in six successive British & Irish Lions Test matches in 1997-2001.

Smith, who played his club rugby for Dundee HSFP, Watsonians, Caledonian Reds, Glasgow Caledonians, Brive and Northampton Saints, also captained Scotland during an eight-year international career.

On the 100th anniversary of his first Scotland cap [2 January 2022], one of the country’s finest sportsmen, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Liddell was a trailblazer, a pioneer and, on account of his strict religious beliefs, a man whose Olympic medal haul in sprinting would surely have been greater had some of his events not been staged on a Sunday in Paris in 1924.

His rugby career was stellar. In seven caps playing out of Edinburgh University, Liddell scored tries in four consecutive Five Nations fixtures, including in wins over Ireland, France and Wales.

He then chose to switch all attentions to athletics and as a Christian, whose parents were missionaries, Liddell declined to compete in the 100 yards in the Paris Olympics because the heats were on a Sunday.

Instead, he ran in the 400, and set a new world record as he won Olympic gold. For good measure, he added a bronze medal in the 200.

Liddell sadly died in 1945 in a Japanese internment camp in northern China, having followed in his parents’ footsteps as a Christian missionary.

Bill Maclagan, who made his Scotland debut in 1878 and represented his country on a remarkable 26 occasions, covering 13 season and three decades. Bill took part in the first British tour (as it was labelled then) to Australia and New Zealand in 1891 and he captained what eventually became the British & Irish Lions first tour to South Africa in 1891, playing in 19 of those 20 games, including the three Test matches. He was also capped twice for Scotland at cricket and went on to become the President of the SRU.

David Rollo, aged 91, is a son of the soil prop-forward, who in his playing pomp could operate at either loosehead or tighthead prop.  He won 40 caps out of the Howe of Fife club between 1959 and 1968 and was a Lion in South Africa in 1962. Still a regular spectator at his beloved Duffus Park in Cupar and at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, David played against New Zealand for Scotland some 61 years ago.  The visitors had already beaten Ireland, Wales and England, only for Scotland to deprive them of a historic Grand Slam through a 0-0 draw.

Roy Laidlaw was a hero of Scotland’s 1984 Grand Slam and epitomised the “Border terrier” approach to scrum-half play. Roy captained Scotland in 1983 – the same year he was a Lion in New Zealand – and won 47 caps between 1980 and 1988, forming a formidable half-back partnership with fellow Borderer, Selkirk’s John Rutherford. The pair were in unison at half-back on 35 occasions for Scotland, a record until it was surpassed by Roy’s nephew Greig Laidlaw and Finn Russell during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

A winger in his playing days with Melrose having graduated from Jordanhill PE College some 50 years ago, Rob Moffat was awarded a retrospective Scotland cap for his appearance in the 74-9 win against Japan in Tokyo in 1977. It is as a PE teacher and coach, however, that rugby is indebted to Rob.  Whether at Galashiels Academy, Scottish Schools, Glasgow Warriors, Scotland 7s, Border Reivers, Edinburgh Rugby, the Romanian national team, Merchiston Castle, or Melrose, Rob shaped and moulded the rugby careers of so many of Scotland’s finest talents, including Chris Paterson and Gregor Townsend.

Sandra Colamartino was one of the trail-blazing pioneers who played a pivotal role in establishing the women’s game in Scotland.  A gutsy scrum-half, she scored Scotland’s first two tries in international rugby in the 10-0 win against Ireland at Raeburn Place on Valentine’s Day 1993.  A year or so later, she was then among the key figures in Scotland coming to the 11^th hour rescue to host the 1994 Women’s World Championship, which culminated in a win for England against the USA.  Thirty years later, Sandra collaborated with then team-mate Sue Brodie to ensure the story of 1994 was told in world premier stage production, 90 days.

Jim Fleming MBE has refereed more Test matches than any other Scot and becomes the first referee to be inducted into Scottish Rugby’s Hall of Fame.  Jim’s honours include the 1994 Women’s World Cup final, and he is a previous recipient of World Rugby’s referee of the year award. Jim (Boroughmuir) took up refereeing in 1973 when injury forced him to retire as a player. By the time he hung up his whistle in June 2001, he had controlled 42 men’s Test matches, a further seven in the women’s game, and run the line in another 75 men’s international matches including the inaugural men’s World Cup final between New Zealand and France in 1987.

Hailing from Aboyne, Hollie Davidson took up refereeing after injury ended her playing career as she was on the cusp of international honours. Her career highlights are stratospheric and there is surely more to come! Two Women’s RWC finals; a RWC 7s final; a Commonwealth Games 7s final; Olympic 7s in 2021; the first female referee to officiate a Tier 1 men’s team, when she took charge of Portugal v Italy in June 2022. In September 2025, Hollie was named World Rugby’s referee of the year and in November of that year she was in the middle for Wales v New Zealand at the Principality Stadium.

Lucy Millard is the try record-holder across both the Scotland men’s and women’s teams, scorching to 37 tries from her 57 caps between 2003 and 2010. Whether playing wing, full-back or centre there was a grace and athleticism which was arguably ahead of its time. One of her proudest moments was scoring two tries in a famous win against France at Lasswade in 2010 as a precursor to the Rugby World Cup later that year.

Mike Blair was inducted following an online poll which asked supporters to select their best Scotland male player of the 2000s, beating the likes of Scott Murray, Jason White, Simon Taylor and Nathan Hines to the public vote. Mike won 85 caps for Scotland between 2002 and 2012, becoming a British & Irish Lion in 2009. he was also nominated for World Rugby’s Player of the Year in 2008 and captained his country on 14 occasions.

The talismanic captain of Scotland’s 1990 Grand Slam, David Sole was ferociously competitive in the loose and with a turn of pace and skillset that belied the image of the prop of old, his style was ahead of his peers and saw him earn his first Scotland cap in the memorable 18-17 success against France in 1986. Four years later, came his defining moment, as he strode purposefully and menacingly on to the Murrayfield pitch at the forefront of the Scotland team ready to take on England in the winner-takes-all Grand Slam decider. A British Lion on the series winning tour of Australia in 1989, Sole also captained a World Invitation XV to a win against New Zealand.

Rob Wainwright OBE farms on the Isle of Coll and was capped 37 times for Scotland between 1992 and 1998.  He succeeded Gavin Hastings as Scotland captain when Hastings stepped down after the 1995 Rugby World Cup. A graduate of Cambridge University, who was a medic in the Army, Rob was at home in any of the back-row positions. A Lion on the historic 1997 series victory in South Africa, Rob has been a relentless driving force in the fund-raising for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, in memory of his team-mate Doddie Weir.

Richie Dixon has coached four international teams – Scotland, Georgia, Tonga and Sweden – and played in almost every position during his club rugby days at Jordanhill where he came under the guidance of both Bill Dickinson and Ian McLauchlan.  Raised in Berwickshire, and a former teacher at Currie High School, Richie was awarded a retrospective Scotland cap in the back-row for his appearance against the Netherlands in March 1974. He gained the highest civilian recognition from the Georgian government and has worked as a coaching consultant for World Rugby throughout Europe.

Another a hero of the 1990 Grand Slam, Scott Hastings won 65 caps as a centre between 1986 and 1997; who can forget his pulverising tackle on the escaping England wing Rory Underwood in that epic match against the Auld Enemy on one of Scotland’s finest rugby days. A Lion in Australia in 1989 and New Zealand in 1993, the Watsonian has been a champion of the seven-a-side game and carved a career in broadcasting after hanging up his boots. Scott has been a formidable fundraiser for several charities including those leading research to find a cure for MND. The light he and his late wife Jenny brought to their own community in the Warriston area of Edinburgh with fun, keep-fit during the darkest of times of the Covid pandemic, spoke volumes for Scott’s exuberant nature and generosity of spirt.