Rugby greats gather for celebration of Scott Hastings’ life

Scottish rugby greats have gathered in Edinburgh for a service in memory of Scott Hastings, who died earlier this year.

The British and Irish Lions centre passed away on May 17 aged 61, following complications arising from his cancer treatment.

Hasting won 65 caps in an 11-year Test career that began in 1986 and was part of the most recent Scotland team to win the Grand Slam in 1990.

On a warm Saturday afternoon, members of the rugby community gathered at George Watson’s College – Hastings’ former school – for a celebration of his life.

Among the hundreds in attendance were many of Hastings’ Scotland and British and Irish Lions team-mates, members of the wider rugby community and friends and family.

Guests had been encouraged to wear colourful clothing and many sported bright pastels, colourful designs or tartans.

Ahead of the event, the guests milled around in the front of the grand school building, with many former players chatting and reminiscing, before being piped up the steps and into the school.

Scott’s brother Gavin Hastings, who played alongside him a number of time during his own stellar international career, gave a speech as part of the private service.

Speaking to the Press Association beforehand, he described Scott as “one of the great human beings”.

“I think Scott just wore his heart in his sleeve, whether it was in the rugby field or in everything that he ever did on and off the field,” he said.

“His generosity of spirit was extraordinary, so he touched a lot of people’s lives in a very positive way, and I think that’s how people will remember him.”

Asked about the impact Scott’s death has had on the rugby community, Hastings likened it to that of Doddie Weir, who passed away in 2022 aged 52, saying both men had been “characters” and were “gone far too soon”.

He also said the last few years had been “incredibly tough” for Scott following the death of his wife Jenny in 2024 – but that the family had “rallied round”.

“We’re a strong family, and I know that from rugby that you know you’re stronger together,” he said.

“The rugby community is an extraordinary community, it really is, and I can’t thank everybody who has sent hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of letters and messages and notes and cards.

“It’s almost been overwhelming, really, but it’s kept us going and Scott’s name will live long in people’s memory, I have no doubt.”

The former players in attendance included Scotland greats Brian Redpath, Ian McGeechan, John Beattie, Rob Wainwright and Jim Telfer.

There were also former stars from elsewhere, including England players Brian Moore and Rob Andrew, Wales’ Ieuan Evans, and former France captain Abdelatif Benazzi.

Scottish Rugby Union president Keith Wallace said Hastings will be remembered as a “great man”.

“Scott was one of these guys who realised that rugby is a game where the more you put in, the more you get out, and, boy, did he put it in,” he explained.

“He put it in massively as a player, all the way to the top of the British Lions and obviously a grand slam winner.

“And then as a commentator, but also as a simple club guy.

“He was very loyal to his club Watsonians all that time and then he did a lot of charity work as well.”

He also commented on the size of the turnout at the event, with people from “all over”.

“We’ve got people from England, Wales, we’ve got someone here from France, they’re coming in from all over.

“It just shows the mark of the man, how well he was respected in the world game.”