Scottish Rugby is saddened to learn of the death of  former Scotland back, Alexander (Eck) James Hastie, who passed away peacefully in Borders General Hospital on Monday 7 June, aged 74.

Capped on 18 occasions, Eck made his debut for Scotland in the victory over Wales in 1961 at Murrayfield, his last cap coming against the same opposition at Cardiff in 1968.

he played his rugby for Melrose, a component of the famous half-back combination with David Chisholm, a partnership mirrored in the national side throughout the 1960s. Although the names of Hastie and Chisholm are forever linked in the minds of rugby supporters Hastie’s first three caps were without Chisholm – their first Scotland game together being the 1964 game against Ireland. during the 1960s Hastie also played scrum half to stand-offs Iain Laughland of London Scottish, Jock Turner of Gala and Brian Simmers of  Glasgow Academicals.

Having toured with Scotland to South Africa in 1960 and Canada in 1964, he also visited South Africa with the Scottish Borders Club in 1967; he also played for Barbarians, Wolfhounds and South.
 
Educated at Melrose Grammar School, Eck did his National Service in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, serving in Malaya.

Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to his wife Elizabeth, family and friends. A funeral service will be held at Melrose Parish Church, on Tuesday, June 15, at 1.15 pm, followed by interment at Wairds Cemetery, Melrose, at 2 pm.