Hundreds of people have gathered in Hawick for the funeral service of veteran rugby commentator Bill McLaren.

The broadcaster, who was known as the "voice of rugby" died at the age of 86 last Tuesday at Hawick Community Hospital after a long illness.

He retired in 2002 after almost 50 years as a broadcaster, and received an MBE, OBE and CBE for services to the sport and combined his work as a broadcaster with that of a PE teacher until 1987.

Last week Scottish Rugby said it was immensely saddened to learn of the death of the man who was known to millions worldwide.

Scottish rugby great Jim Telfer described Mr McLaren as "being like Robert Burns; an ordinary man who was universally known."

The service was held at the Teviot Church in his home town of Hawick in the Scottish Borders.

Only family and friends were allowed into the church but the service was broadcast to the public outside over a PA system.

Mourners began queuing outside before the 650-seat church opened, and then filed in past Mr McLaren's grandchildren who were handing out Hawick balls, his favourite sweets, at the door.

Former Scotland rugby player Colin Deans, Scotland player Chris Paterson and BBC rugby pundit John Beattie were among those attending.
Mr McLaren's wife Bette, daughter Linda Lawson and her husband Alan arrived by car shortly before the service started.

Mr McLaren's coffin was carried into the church to the sound of Highland Cathedral, played by piper Cameron Renwick, the nephew of former Scotland centre Jim Renwick.

As the service led by the Reverend Neil Combe got under way, between 200 and 300 people gathered on the streets outside to listen to the tributes to the broadcaster.

After the congregation sang The Lord's My Shepherd, Gregor Lawson, one of the grandsons, gave a tribute on behalf of the whole family.

He said: "We cannot believe how many people are here. It is so important for us to be united with so many other people who love Bill McLaren as much as we do.

"We're here to lay to rest a great man. A great Hawick man, a great rugby man and a great family man."

Mr Lawson thanked people for the support given to the family in recent days and said they had been "blown away" by the kindness shown to them.

Bill McLaren was renowned throughout the sport for his memorable phrases.

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 Hall of Fame.
 

A memorial service is due to be held in Edinburgh next month.

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