Bill McLaren: Tribute to mark centenary of 'voice of rugby'

Bill McLaren's last commentary was more than 20 years ago in 2002

Tributes have been paid to the man dubbed the "voice of rugby" on what would have been his 100th birthday.

Bill McLaren was born in his beloved Hawick in the Scottish Borders on 16 October 1923.

Scottish Rugby posted a video tribute via social media to the "iconic" commentator.

A special exhibition to mark the centenary of his birth is currently being held at Hawick Museum and runs until 27 November.

Bill McLaren began commentating on BBC radio in 1953 and moved to television six years later.

He went on to earn the respect of players, fans and spectators thanks to his depth of research and unique turn of phrase.

As well as being awarded an MBE, OBE and CBE, he became the first non-international player to be inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame.

He retired from commentating in 2002 and died, in Hawick, in January 2010.

Bill McLaren's commentating career spanned nearly 50 years

Among those paying tribute on the centenary of his birth was the Bill McLaren Foundation (BMF) which was set up in his honour.

It is behind a major exhibition being staged in Hawick to celebrate his legacy.

In a post on its Facebook page, the BMF wished him a "happy heavenly birthday".

"To those who knew him best he was a devoted husband and family man, a keen golfer, a home bird, a Hawick Ball lover," it said.

"But to most, he was the voice of rugby."

An exhibition celebrating the commentator's legacy is currently being held in Hawick

It added that, in the words of fellow commentator Eddie Butler, he was "much more than rugby's voice, more its full-blown orchestra".

"He was meticulous in his preparation and impartial in his delivery," it said.

"His colourful commentary enchanted several generations of rugby fans.

"To adapt one of his own lines, he was as swift as a 'baggy up a border burn' to come out with a fantastic phrase or fact to add to the viewing experience."