Gavin Hastings led tributes to his brother Scott at a star-studded celebration of his life in Edinburgh on Saturday, with a host of rugby legends in attendance. Scott Hastings passed away last month aged 61 after undergoing treatment for cancer.
High-profile figures attend memorial
A number of high-profile sporting figures were present at George Watson's College, including several British and Irish Lions stars, to remember one of Scotland's most beloved players. Among those attending were Brian Moore, Ieuan Evans, and Ian McGeechan.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Gavin Hastings told the Edinburgh Evening News: "Scott was a one in a million person. He was an amazing brother and an amazing friend and he just gave so much to everyone who knew him."
Gavin's personal tribute
Gavin continued: "Everything that Scott did was one hundred miles an hour but full of enthusiasm and absolute conviction, whether it was on the rugby field or during lockdown doing exercise classes with his late wife Jenny. They were an amazing couple and Scott was an amazing human being. I'm very, very proud to be his brother."
He added: "When you play sport at a high level, which we were lucky enough to do, it's amazing. But when you do it with a brother for 10 seasons it is an extraordinary thing. The fact that we travelled together to major Rugby-playing nations in the world and experienced the excitement of Rugby World Cups and playing with the British and Irish Lions. Looking back on that is just amazing."
Legacy on the rugby field
The Hastings brothers were key members of the great 1990 Grand Slam side, while Scott was capped 65 times by his country over 11 years. He twice toured with the British and Irish Lions before retiring from international rugby in 1997 as Scotland's most capped player at the time. Scott remains the most capped centre in Scottish rugby history.
Scottish Rugby Union president Keith Wallace hailed the "massive" contribution Scott made to Scottish rugby. Gavin reflected: "Everyone will have their own memories of Scott which they'll look back on with a smile on their face because his enthusiasm was infectious. That's what everyone here today will remember about Scott."
