Bill McLaren: Legends of Scottish rugby pay tribute

ANDY IRVINE

(Scotland 1972-1982)

"He had the most magnificent voice you ever heard, with his great Hawick twang. He was such an expert because he did so much homework. He researched the game more than anyone I can think of."

IAN McLAUCHLAN

(Scotland 1969-1979)

"He was obviously a very professional commentator, but he had a deep, deep love for the game at all levels."

JIM RENWICK

(Scotland 1972-1984)

"He taught me at school, and he just had a manner that we all liked. He was a great teacher and a very, very nice man."

FINLAY CALDER

(Scotland 1986-1991)

"What he did for rugby is impossible to quantify. He was the Voice of Rugby, and it was a beautiful voice as well.

He didn't do favourites. He shared his friendship equally. That says it all about him."

JOHN JEFFREY

(1984-1991)

"He was an absolute gentleman. He was scrupulously fair even when he was commentating on games where he had family involved."

KENNY LOGAN

(Scotland 1992-2003)

"It is down to Bill that I am called Kenny. He changed my name! I was always known as Kenneth until the first time I appeared in a televised match and he referred to me as 'wee Kenny Logan'."

JOHN BEATTIE

(Scotland 1980-1987)

"The memory that stands out most was in the build up to a Scotland versus Romania match. A Romanian player was introduced to Bill and immediately burst into tears. He explained his emotions by revealing BBC rugby videos had been smuggled to him in Bucharest when Romania was in the Eastern Bloc."

IAN McGEECHAN

(Scotland 1972-1979)

"Bill didn't just have a massive impact because of rugby. It was also because of his knowledge and understanding of people."

CHRIS CUSITER

(Scotland 2004-)

"When I was growing up, he was the guy you heard and you recognised instantly. He was unparalleled."

CHRIS PATERSON

(Scotland 1999-)

"I had to pinch myself when I played in games he commentated on. I don't think there'll be anybody like him again and he will be missed."

Scot, gentleman, legend: McLaren is mourned across the world

a href="http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Bill-McLaren39s-story-in-pictures.5994988.jp">Bill McLaren's story in pictures

David Ferguson: The boy from the streets of Hawick who became a rugby giant

Allan Massie: Listening to Bill was like attending a match with a very knowledgable friend

Legendary 'Voice of Rugby' was a family man above all

Legends of Scottish Rugby pay tribute