VETERAN sports writer and former Scotland rugby international, Norman Mair, has died aged 86.
VETERAN sports writer and former Scotland rugby international, Norman Mair, has died aged 86.
Friends and colleagues paid tribute to the sportsman and journalist as a "doyen of Scottish rugby writers", "lovely man" and a "true gentleman" as news of his death broke yesterday.
An Edinburgh University graduate, Mair played for the university rugby team and went on to win four caps for the Scotland national rugby union team in 1951.
He also played for the Scotland national cricket team.
After retiring from professional sport, he went on to become a highly-respected sports writer with the Scotsman newspaper where he penned articles on rugby and golf. He also wrote for Rugby World.
Broadcaster Dougie Donnelly tweeted: "Sorry to hear of Norman Mair's passing - a wonderful writer and broadcaster and a fine gentleman."
Commentator Bill Johnstone said he was "deeply saddened" by the news.
He tweeted: "Norman guided me through my first commentaries. I owe him much. Lovely gentleman."
Tom English, a former colleague from his days at the Scotsman, wrote: "Sad news. Norman Mair has passed away. Such a wonderful journalist and never better than when writing so gloriously about rugby."
Mair is survived by his wife, golf correspondent Lewine Mair, and daughters Michele and Suzi.
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