Gavin Hastings leads tributes to 'one in a million' brother Scott Hastings at colourful memorial in Edinburgh

The rugby union legend died last month at the Western General Hospital aged 61 while undergoing treatment for cancer.

At a private ceremony at George Watson’s College on Saturday afternoon, high profile sports figures including several former British and Irish Lions stars gathered alongside friends and family to remember the man who was one of Scotland’s best and most loved players.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Gavin Hastings said: “Scott was a one in a million person. He was an amazing brother and an amazing friend and he just gave so much to everyone who knew him.

“Everything that Scott did was one hundred miles an hour but full of enthusiasm and absolute conviction, whether it was on the rugby field or during lockdown doing exercise classes with his late wife Jenny.

“They were an amazing couple and Scott was an amazing human being. I’m very, very proud to be his brother.”

He continued: “When you play sport at a high level, which we were lucky enough to do, it’s amazing. But when you do it with a brother for ten seasons it is an extraordinary thing.

“The fact that we travelled together to major Rugby-playing nations in the world and experienced the excitement of Rugby World Cups and playing with the British and Irish Lions. Looking back on that is just amazing.

“Everyone will have their own memories of Scott which they’ll look back on with a smile on their face because his enthusiasm was infectious. That’s what everyone here today will remember about Scott.”

He said he is grateful for the “extraordinary” messages of support he and their family had received following his death, and that his brother’s children, Kerry-Anne and Corey, have been “remarkable”.

Scottish Rugby Union president Keith Wallace, who was also at the memorial, said Mr Hastings’ contribution to rugby in Scotland was “massive”.

“Rugby is one of those games that the more you put in the more you get out, and Scott got that in spades,” he said. “He put so much in as a player, a club member and a commentator. And he put so much into the charities he supported too.

“He was a fantastic guy on and off the field throughout his career. I first met him when I was 18 and every time I met him he was just the same person. He never really changed.

“He was just a super guy, and a lot of fun.”

He said the turnout of guests at the ceremony, which included several former international and British players, showed how highly regarded Mr Hastings was as a figure in the sport.

The Edinburgh-born player played club rugby for Watsonians and, alongside his brother, was a key member of the great 1990 Grand Slam side. Capped 65 times by Scotland over 11 years, he twice toured with the British and Irish Lions, to Australia in 1989 and New Zealand four years later.

He retired from international rugby in 1997 as Scotland’s most capped player, and remains the most capped centre. He went on to commentate on rugby for a number of broadcasters, including Sky Sports and BBC.

He was also known for his charity work in aid of causes including mental health and motor neurone disease. He was a champion of the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, established following Doddie Weir’s diagnosis with motor neurone disease, and served as the charity’s first chair.