The greatest moments at Murrayfield are mere echoes compared to the emotional tsunami of Doddie Weir’s final salute, a testament to the fragility of life and the profound connections forged in sport, transcending mere games into the realm of human experience.
Days after Scotland celebrated their largest win at Murrayfield, the rugby community is taking a moment to reflect on its rich history. With the recent 85-0 victory over the United States marking a significant milestone, Scottish Rugby is inviting fans to vote for their greatest moment at this iconic stadium. This celebration coincides with the centenary of national games being held at Murrayfield, an occasion that demands recognition of the highs and lows that have defined Scottish rugby.
Murrayfield has been the backdrop for countless unforgettable moments; however, three stand out as particularly pivotal in the hearts and minds of supporters. Each of these moments not only highlights the sporting prowess of the team but also emphasizes the cultural significance of rugby in Scotland.
The first noteworthy event on the shortlist is the 1975 clash between Scotland and Wales, which went down in history for its record crowd. On March 1 of that year, Scotland narrowly defeated Wales 12-10 in a Five Nations match before an estimated crowd that has become the stuff of legend. Officially, over 100,000 fans were present, although many believe the true number was closer to 130,000. Sir Ian McGeechan, a former player and head coach, vividly recalls the atmosphere. The stadium was a cacophony of cheers as Scotland not only won the match but also prevented Wales from achieving a Grand Slam. McGeechan’s memories evoke the urgency and excitement of that day—children lifted over barriers to watch the game up close, a communal experience that reverberated throughout the city.
Fast forward to 1990, and another defining moment emerges: Scotland’s Grand Slam triumph against England, a 13-7 victory that cemented their status as a formidable rugby nation. The significance of this match lies not just in the scoreline but in the collective memory it created. The iconic slow walk onto the pitch by David Sole, coupled with Tony Stanger’s crucial try and the palpable tension leading to the final whistle, is still etched in the minds of fans. For many, this Grand Slam is a benchmark of success, and players like Chris Paterson, who were too young to play at the time, still recognize its importance. Paterson describes it as “the moment in my lifetime,” stressing how it encapsulated the spirit of Scottish rugby at its best.
In stark contrast to the celebration of victory, the emotional weight of another moment in 2017 resonates deeply with fans: Doddie Weir’s poignant match ball delivery before a match against the All Blacks. Having recently announced his battle with motor neuron disease, Weir walked onto the pitch, flanked by his sons, evoking a powerful response from the crowd. The stadium was flooded with emotion as fans witnessed a man who had given so much to the sport facing his greatest challenge. As former players and coaches looked on, the atmosphere transformed; laughter and cheers turned into tears of solidarity and love. Mike Blair, who was on the sidelines as an assistant coach, recalls the overwhelming grief that swept through the stadium. He described it as a moment that transcended the game itself, a reminder that rugby embodies a deeper connection among those who participate in and support it.
Other moments have contributed to the rich tapestry of Murrayfield’s history. In 2006, the image of a lone piper on the stadium’s roof became an enduring symbol of Scottish pride. Jim Calder’s try during the 1984 Grand Slam remains a cherished memory for fans, as does Finn Russell’s remarkable “pass of the century” against England in 2018. Each of these moments encapsulates a different facet of what rugby means to Scotland—triumph, heartbreak, and the simple beauty of the game.
As Scottish Rugby embarks on this celebration of 100 years at Murrayfield, the choices fans are faced with may ignite heated discussions. The memories of 1975, 1990, and 2017 each evoke different emotional responses, and while some may champion the record crowds and exhilarating victories, others will hold dear the profound human moments that reinforce the importance of connection in sport.
The call to vote for the greatest moment invites fans to not just reflect on their personal experiences but to acknowledge the collective narrative that Murrayfield represents. It is a canvas painted with the hopes, dreams, and struggles of those who have walked its hallowed grounds—players and fans alike. Each vote may be a simple act, yet it underscores the enduring legacy of rugby in Scotland, a sport that transcends merely winning or losing.
As the rugby community engages in this celebration, the discourse surrounding Murrayfield’s greatest moments will undoubtedly explore the dichotomy of sport—the elation of victory against the poignant reminders of life’s fragility, illustrated perfectly by the legacy of figures like Doddie Weir. In the end, what unites the fans is not just the sport itself, but the shared human experience that rugby embodies, making every moment at Murrayfield not just a memory, but a part of a larger story woven into the fabric of Scottish identity.
Days after Scotland recorded their biggest ever win at Murrayfield, rugby fans are being asked to vote for their favourite moment at the stadium.
While the thumping 85-0 win over the United States will live long in the history books, if not the memories, there have almost certainly been more momentous occasions.
Why now? Well, Scottish Rugby is celebrating 100 years of holding national games at the famous ground, so they’ve assembled a crack team of Scottish rugby icons to help whittle down the contenders.
Here is the final shortlist…
1975: Scotland v Wales – The Record Crowd
On 1 March 1975, Scotland edged out Wales 12-10 in a Five Nations thriller that has gone down in folklore for the sheer scale of the crowd.
More than 100,000 fans officially packed the terraces, aslthough many believe the true number was closer to 130,000 – a figure that remains the stuff of legend.
Former Scotland player and head coach Sir Ian McGeechan is one of the panel and shared his memories of the day.
"In those days, you just turned up, bought your ticket, and walked in – no pre-booking," he said. "The SRU never accepted it was 130,000 – but it was.
"People were worried about the numbers – children being lifted down over the barriers to sit by the pitch. You couldn’t imagine it now, but it was incredible to witness.
"I was playing that day and one of the most enduring memories was the schoolboys sitting along the touchline, all in their uniforms, as was the style.
"We stopped Wales winning the Grand Slam. You remember the way you felt, not just what happened. You see just how much something can have such an impact on you."
1990: Scotland’s Grand Slam Triumph
For every panellist, Scotland’s 13–7 win over England in March 1990 stood as a defining Murrayfield moment.
The match, remembered for David Sole’s famous slow walk on to the pitch, Tony Stanger’s try and the rapturous final whistle, secured Scotland’s third and most recent Grand Slam.
Two more recent players, Chris Paterson and Mike Blair, were far too young to be involved, but both have memories of the day itself.
"It has to be in," Paterson said. "That’s the moment in my lifetime – the last time we won a Grand Slam.
"So many iconic memories – the walk-out, Tony Stanger’s try, Scott Hastings’ tackle on Rory Underwood – it was pure theatre and linked to arguably Scotland’s greatest success."
Former scrum-half Blair admitted: "I must have watched that video a hundred times. Damian Cronin, the ginger hair running with the ball – that’s a moment that stands out in my mind, but it’s the final whistle that always gets me."
2017: Doddie Weir’s Match Ball Delivery
The moment captured at the top of this page. Having announced his diagnosis earlier that year, Doddie Weir, the ‘mad giraffe’ as he was affectionately known, strode out like a colossus on to the Murrayfield turf before Scotland took on the All Blacks.
What followed was a pulsating 80 minutes in which Gregor Townsend’s side ran the world number ones close, and almost snatched a victory at the death, but what is really remembered is what happened pre-match.
As Weir took to the pitch, flanked by his sons, a swell of emotion overcame the stadium. It was an outpouring of grief, strength and love, all mixed together in a giant cauldron of tears. There was not a dry eye in the house.
"I was assistant coach, standing on the pitch and helping to deliver water," Blair recalled.
"I was bawling my eyes out with tears. Everybody was. It’s fair to say the emotion overwhelmed everyone and it probably took a lot of people’s focus.
"You could feel the emotion ripple around the stadium. Everyone was thinking of Doddie, his family and their own loved ones. It was a strange start to a game but a truly special one."
Other runners and riders
There were other contenders, of course. The lone piper on the Murrayfield roof in 2006, Jim Calder’s try in the 1984 Grand Slam, Finn Russell’s ‘pass of the century’ against England in 2018.
However, it will be hard to look past that Doddie Weir moment for most. "It’s funny that, in a rugby stadium, a sporting environment, a human emotion that sits foremost in most people’s minds," Paterson said. "It’s what the game stands for."
And what about our reporter Andy Burke, of the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast? What was his pick?
"I’ve got loads of Murrayfield memories, but the one that stands out has to be… Oasis."
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