A MEMORIAL to the "Voice of Rugby" Bill McLaren has been unveiled at Murrayfield ahead of this weekend's match between Scotland and South Africa.
The £12,000 bust of the veteran commentator who died aged 86 in 2010 was revealed at a ceremony attended by his daughter, Linda Lawson and son-in-law, former Scotland scrum-half Alan Lawson. Scottish Rugby Union president Donald Macleod and the sculptor, Angela Hunter, 61, from Innerleithen, Peeblesshire, who began working on the bronze tribute when the commentator retired in 2002, also attended the event.
Mrs Lawson said: "As a family, we are thrilled and honoured that the sculpture will be on display at Murrayfield, which held a special place in dad's heart and where he experienced so many happy days in the commentary box."
She added: "We are very grateful not only to Angela for creating such a wonderful image but also to Scottish Rugby for providing the most appropriate home for it.
"We hope that many people will be given the opportunity to view the sculpture and that it may bring back fond memories of dad's contribution to our rugby history."
A similar memorial bust of McLaren was unveiled in Wilton Park in his home town of Hawick, Roxburghshire, earlier this year.
The Bill McLaren Foundation was also set up by the Scottish rugby community to "develop and promote the sport of rugby union and its values and encourage and provide sporting opportunities for young people". It is also running a competition to encourage youngsters interested in commentating on sport, with the winning schools and clubs receiving cash prizes.
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