When those doughty pioneers of international rugby took to the field for Scotland against England at Raeburn Place in 1871, it is a pretty safe bet that none among them would have anticipated the scene, 135 years later, when the honour of becoming Scotland's 1000th Test player would be given to a bloke from Coventry replacing a bloke from Wagga Wagga midway through a game against Romania.

That, though, was precisely what unfolded at Murrayfield in November 2006 when Jim Hamilton made his entry into the international arena, taking over - in case you needed told - from Nathan Hines. Even in an age of flexible national allegiances there was an improbability about the scenario which might have persuaded some that Hamilton's time in the limelight would be brief, but seven years and 49 caps later we find him at the stadium again, preparing for a landmark 50th appearance for his country.

His country? Don't doubt it. Hamilton's accent may not have strayed far from the East Midlands, but his affection for Scotland is heartfelt. His father, also called Jim, made pretty sure that the boy knew where half his blood came from, stuck him in a kilt at an early age and tried to pass on his affection for Rangers, so Hamilton can get a little shirty with anyone who dares to suggest that he flies the saltire only as a flag of convenience.

"I have gone past the stage now of trying to tell people how Scottish I am," said Hamilton. "My dad is Scottish, as Scottish as can be. He is Rangers, he is Scotland, he hates the English. That is not me trying to sell it to the people. It is all perfectly true. It is not the case that one day I turned Scottish. It isn't that at all. I knew all about the William Wallace Braveheart and I am interested in the history of Scotland. The more I dig into that the more passionate I feel about it."

In many ways, Hamilton's geographical roots are of far less interest than his social beginnings. After his parents divorced, he was raised in a council flat in Coventry, and not one of the better ones.

"I was brought up on a rough estate," he said. "There's no point in beating about the bush and calling it anything else. I didn't play rugby until I was 17 or 18. It was an estate of two-bedroom flats in a rough area. I was fighting most days and dealing with bullying as I grew up. It's just what you would imagine."

He has told his story before, but the milestone of his 50th cap has put him in a reflective mood once again. He understands now the distance he has travelled. Having a family - partner Beccy, three-year-old son JJ and daughter Phoebe, six months - has given him a fresh perspective, too. Many players treat the landmark of 50 appearances with a kind of disdain, but Hamilton makes no secret of his pride.

"Winning the 50th cap does raise the emotions, especially with having the family here," he said. "It's more special now I have children. Hopefully, JJ is now old enough and he will remember it in the future. It could be an early memory for him.

"I never thought in a million years that I would get to 50. You never think that far ahead. At 45 or 46 caps you see the 50 in the distance but it is really just about doing well. If you are good enough, fit enough and play well enough you get what you deserve."

Scotland's wayward lineout performance in the early stages of Sunday's game against South Africa at Murrayfield provoked suspicions that Hamilton would be ditched from the team ahead of the concluding autumn Test against Australia this Saturday. However, Scott Johnson, the Scotland coach, put that notion to bed pretty quickly, absolving the Montpellier giant of blame as he explained his selection alongside Tim Swinson in the second row.

"The locks were what we deemed to be the two form locks and Gilko [Grant Gilchrist] was always going to be in the 23 for this game," said Johnson. "Jim played really well on Sunday." It is a bold call, as Richie Gray, Scotland's only current Test Lion is the player who has been cut. "Jim was better," said Johnson.

"I know a lot depended on how we played on the weekend," said Hamilton. "I knew the ball was in my court. Part of my game was good, some was poor. But I do feel disappointed for Richie. He is a young lad and a world-class player."

Having turned 31 just a few days ago, Hamilton is well aware that the clock is counting down on his career. Aware, too, that he is stacking up the memories every time he plays.

"When people ask me to sum up my Scottish career I say there hasn't been loads and loads of success," he said with a shrug. "That is just the way it has been. But I have had a few great days.

"Beating Ireland at Croke Park and beating Argentina over there [both games in 2010] were special. I don't think people realise the magnitude of what we did on that tour in 2010 as that Argentine team was unbelievably good.

"I have 50 caps now but still have ambition to win the Six Nations. If I finish on 57 [caps] and we win the Six Nations next year that would be fantastic."