On a warm Saturday afternoon in Edinburgh, hundreds of rugby figures and loved ones gathered at George Watson’s College, where Scott Hastings once played as a schoolboy, for a celebration of his life – a life cut short at 61 after complications from cancer treatment.
The former British and Irish Lions centre died on May 17, leaving a legacy that spanned 65 caps in an 11-year Test career beginning in 1986 and a starring role in Scotland’s most recent Grand Slam triumph in 1990.
“Hundreds gather in Edinburgh to celebrate the life of Scotland rugby legend Scott Hastings, who died aged 61.”
Guests had been encouraged to wear colourful clothing, and many sported bright pastels, colourful designs or tartans as they milled outside the grand school building, former teammates chatting and reminiscing before being piped up the steps and into the private service.
Inside, Scott’s brother Gavin Hastings – himself a legendary figure in Scottish rugby – delivered a speech describing him as “one of the great human beings”.
“I think Scott just wore his heart on his sleeve, whether it was on the rugby field or in everything that he ever did on and off the field,” Gavin 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.”
Among the congregation were Scotland greats Brian Redpath, Ian McGeechan, John Beattie, Rob Wainwright and Jim Telfer, alongside stars from other nations including England’s Brian Moore and Rob Andrew, Wales’ Ieuan Evans, and former France captain Abdelatif Benazzi.
The last few years, Gavin said, had been “incredibly tough” for Scott following the death of his wife Jenny in 2024, but the family had “rallied round”. He drew a parallel between the impact of Scott’s death and that of Doddie Weir, who passed away in 2022 aged 52, calling both men “characters” who were “gone far too soon”.
“The rugby community is an extraordinary community,” Gavin added. “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, and it’s kept us going and Scott’s name will live long in people’s memory, I have no doubt.”
Scottish Rugby Union president Keith Wallace said Hastings would be remembered as a “great man”.