Sports commentator Bill McLaren, known as the "voice of rugby", has died at the age of 86.

Scottish Rugby said they were "immensely saddened" at the death of the proud family man while the First Minister said he was a "true legend".

Hawick-born McLaren, who retired in 2002, was renowned throughout the sport for his memorable phrases.

He made the Hawick first XV before serving with the Royal Artillery during the Second World War. He then played in a Scotland trial in 1947 and was on the verge of an international cap before contacting tuberculosis which forced him to give up playing.

Back in 2001, McLaren said: "I was desperately ill and fading fast when the specialist asked five of us to be guinea pigs for a new drug called Streptomycin. Three of the others died but I made what amounted to a miracle recovery."

His first commentary was made while recovering from TB, describing table tennis matches for the hospital radio.

"There must have been something inside me that wanted to describe rugby football to people," he said.

"I've still got the fictional reports I used to write when I was a wee boy of seven or eight. Scotland always won. They beat the world once by 70-3."

McLaren later took up coaching, working with many players, including Jim Renwick, Colin Deans and Tony Stanger.

He is widely regarded as being to rugby what Murray Walker was to motor racing and Peter O'Sullevan was to horse racing, having come through BBC radio to television in its infancy.

Scottish Rugby said it was immensely saddened to learn of the death of the man who to millions worldwide was simply the "voice of rugby”.

"Bill McLaren never played rugby for Scotland but such was his vast enthusiasm, encyclopaedic knowledge, attention to detail and sheer undiluted enthusiasm, that he did more to excite the world about rugby through his BBC TV and radio commentaries than had he worn the thistle in scrum, ruck, maul or tackle.

"His warm Border brogue, his colourful turn of descriptive phrase – we all have our favourites whether “a bit of argy-bargy” or “it’s a try by Hika the hooker from Ngongotaha” – and his impartiality: could you even detect a waver in his voice when his son-in-law Alan Lawson scored two tries in a Scotland win against England at Murrayfield in 1976?"

The club said McLaren, whose health had suffered in recent years, was proud family man.

"It may sound clichéd but he absolutely worshipped his wife Bette – The Goddess he called her – and was never happier than when spending time with his daughters Janey and Linda and their families."

In 1953 he made his national debut for BBC Radio covering Scotlands's 12-0 loss to Wales. Six years later he switched to television and became the first non-international to be inducted into the International Hally of Fame.

He was awarded an MBE, OBE and a CBE in the 2003 honours list. McLaren was also the subject of an internet campaign last year calling for him to be knighted.

First Minister Alex Salmond paid tribute to McLaren calling him a "true legend".

Mr Salmond said: "The world of sport and broadcasting has lost a true legend with the passing of Bill McLaren.

"He thoroughly deserved the title "voice of rugby" and was a fantastic ambassador for Scotland and his native Hawick right around the world.  His contribution to the sport of rugby cannot be over-stated.

"Only illness prevented him fulfilling his dream of playing for Scotland. But in his many years as a PE teacher in the home town he loved, he developed and nurtured a host of talented youngsters who went on to represent their country.  And proudly but impartially commentated on their achievements from the commentary box was Bill McLaren.

"His famously descriptive commentaries brought a joy and understanding of the game to rugby fans and less-knowledgeable viewers that few others have ever managed.  My thoughts are with his family at this sad time."

Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray added: "Bill McLaren was both a rugby and broadcasting icon. He holds a very special place in Scottish rugby and was a great ambassador for the sport."

Scottish rugby great Jim Telfer has described McLaren as being like Robert Burns; an ordinary man who was universally known. He also offered numerous anecdotes about his career, from his work as a coach behind the scenes to his desire to get back to his home town of Hawick as soon as possible after a trip abroad.

Princess Anne, Scottish Rugby's patron, paid tribute to McLaren in 2002 when he retired. She said: “He has passed on his love for the game and all it represents to everyone he has met or spoken with. His unique contribution to the commentator’s art has been applauded by both his peers and listeners alike the world over.”

McLaren's son-in-law is former Scottish rugby scum half Alan Lawson. He was married to Bette, and they have five grandchildren, including Scotland scrum half and Gloucester player Rory Lawson and Edinburgh utility back Jim Thompson.

He died in the community hospital at his hometown of Hawick.

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