Heroes call on Scottish rugby fans to vote for the greatest Murrayfield rugby moment

SCOTTISH rugby fans have been called upon to cast their vote for the greatest ever Murrayfield rugby moment as part of celebrations marking the national stadium’s centenary.

Article Source: Scottish Gas Murrayfield
Last Updated: 4 November 2025 11:54

A panel of Scottish rugby icons – Sir Ian McGeechan, Chris Paterson, Mike Blair, and Dee Bradbury – have shortlisted three defining moments from 100 years of history.

Chosen from hundreds of nominations submitted through the Murrayfield Memories campaign, the final three reflect the emotion, passion, and pride that have shaped Murrayfield’s story – from world-record crowds and unforgettable victories to moments of pure human connection.

The shortlist for includes Scotland’s famous 12–10 victory over Wales in 1975, played before an estimated 130,000 spectators – still regarded as the biggest rugby crowd ever assembled; the final whistle of the 1990 Grand Slam win over England – the last time Scotland managed a clean sweep in a single season; and the emotional moment in 2017 when Doddie Weir, recently diagnosed with MND, walked onto the pitch with his family to deliver the match ball before Scotland faced New Zealand.

The panel brings together some of the most respected figures in Scottish rugby, who together represent a century of experience at the highest level of the sport – both on and off the field. Sir Ian McGeechan, one of the game’s most influential coaches, led Scotland to their 1990 Grand Slam triumph and was head coach on no fewer than four British & Irish Lions tours. Chris Paterson, Scotland’s most-capped player with 109 appearances, remains the nation’s greatest points scorer and a symbol of consistency and professionalism. Mike Blair, a former Scotland captain with 85 caps, represented the Lions in 2009 and is now a leading coach. Dee Bradbury, a former player and past President of Scottish Rugby, was the first woman to hold that position.

Graham Law, Scottish Rugby’s Head of Stakeholder Engagement, who convened the panel, said: “Trying to pick one defining Murrayfield Rugby Moment from almost a century of history is almost impossible – and we certainly found picking a shortlist tough. The incredible response to the Murrayfield Memories campaign shows just how much this stadium means to people across Scotland, and how deeply all these moments live on in our memories. We’ve loved hearing the stories and reliving the drama, and now it’s over to the fans to have their say on which moment deserves to be crowned the greatest of them all.”

The Murrayfield Greatest Rugby Moment 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, though many believe the true number was closer to 130,000 – a figure that remains the stuff of legend.

Sir Ian McGeechan:
strong> “In those days, you just turned up, bought your ticket, and walked in – no pre-booking. 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.”

Chris Paterson: “The world record – it’s part of Murrayfield folklore. It’s that Scottish occasion where everyone said they were there. My mum and dad claimed it, and my dad said his feet never touched the ground as they left the ground, carried by the body of the crowd. I’ve never played in front of a crowd of that size, but I’ve played in front of big crowds. I always tried to block them out, but it must’ve been impossible that day.”

Mike Blair: “To be fair Mossy [Paterson], I don’t think the crowds had much to cheer about in our day! That must’ve been special though in 1975. From that moment on, you had to buy a ticket in advance – it literally changed how the sport was run. You’d have felt the crowd pressing right to the touchline – the atmosphere would have been electric.”

Dee Bradbury: “That must have been an immense experience for everyone. In those days, it would have been some feat for so many people to get there without the transport links we have nowadays. Not only did it change the way matches were handled, it most probably reinforced the need for robust health and safety procedures!”

Fan Marnie Keltie: “I went to my first rugby match in 1975, aged 17. It was Scotland v Wales and there was a record crowd. I lost contact with my friends almost immediately and ended up beside an enormous Welshman, who kept offering me a bite of his leek. I’m 5ft and spent most of the match off my feet. When the crowd surged forward, I was up in the air – it was quite scary. Luckily the nice Welshman pulled me upright by the hood of my duffle coat. It was a brilliant match – Scotland won by a point. I’ve been hooked ever since.”

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 onto the pitch, Tony Stanger’s try, and the rapturous final whistle, secured Scotland’s third and most recent Grand Slam.

Chris Paterson: “It has to be in. 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.”

Mike Blair: “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.”

Sir Ian McGeechan: “I was coach that day, and it still sends shivers down my spine just thinking about it. The atmosphere was spectacular. The supporters cheered every line-out, every kick, every tackle as if we’d scored. There was a completeness about it – the team, the crowd, the moment. And the reaction to the final whistle was truly unbelievable. I still get shivers thinking about it. Bill McLaren said he couldn’t speak at the end of the game. There was a 30-second silence on television. Hearing that, it hit me that this was different.”

Dee Bradbury: “This still gives me goosebumps and makes me very proud to be a Scot. Pure passion, precision and pride made the win electric.”

Fan Jo-Anne Wheeler: “I was there on 17 March 1990. Just turned 21 and recently separated from my wisdom teeth, I was sitting in row B in the ‘schoolboys’ enclosure, my gums held together with stitches. I still get goosebumps remembering David Sole’s slow measured walk out onto the pitch as he led his gladiators into the arena. The exhilaration when Tony Stanger stretched up his lanky frame and collected that ball for his Grand Slam-winning try. When the whistle blew, I must have leapt over row A as I was suddenly on the pitch with blood streaming from my mouth where my yells had burst my stitches. What a day!”

2017: Doddie Weir’s Match Ball Delivery

Few moments in Murrayfield’s history have matched the emotion of Doddie Weir’s match ball delivery ahead of Scotland’s Test against New Zealand in November 2017. Recently diagnosed with MND, the former international lock walked onto the pitch alongside his sons Hamish, Angus and Ben – to an outpouring of applause and emotion from 67,000 fans.

Mike Blair: “I was assistant coach, standing on the pitch and helping to deliver water. 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.”

Chris Paterson: “I was commentating that day and had never experienced anything like it. Yes, it was planned, but the outpouring of emotion, appreciation, camaraderie, and love for the man was incredible. It wasn’t just a rugby moment – it was a huge moment in the stadium’s history, and a very human one. I’ll never forget it. I was told there were even discussions about whether broadcasters could show it, but everyone knew it had to be seen. The response from the public was extraordinary.”

Sir Ian McGeechan: “I wasn’t in the stadium, but I was watching at home, as so many people were. You just stopped talking. There was a moment when they walked out and everything went silent. Then the response from the stadium, the supporters – it was bigger than rugby. Knowing Doddie as a player, a friend, and a family man – that silence and respect said everything. Players, people, and all the game brings providing such a response to what he and his family were going through. It surprised even Doddie.”

Dee Bradbury: “I was very privileged to be in the stand when Doddie and his fine boys took to the pitch. The roar when he walked onto that pitch was deafening. People were sobbing, the players on the pitch were wiping tears from their eyes, and Doddie was clearly very moved by everyone’s support. Just magical and humbling.”

Fan Sean Ferguson: “I was lucky enough to be at Murrayfield for both the deciding games in 1984 and 1990. However, the crowd's response when Doddie and his sons came out to lay the match ball was amazing, and I’m not embarrassed to say I shed tears. A testament to how much we Scots love the characters and those who give all for the Thistle.”

Honourable Mentions

While the three moments will now go to a public vote, the panel also paid tribute to several other chapters in Murrayfield history during a lively debate.
Mike Blair: The lone piper on the Murrayfield roof in 2006 – “a spine-tingling image of Scottish pride that really affected you as a player.”

Sir Ian McGeechan: Jim Calder’s try in the 1984 Grand Slam – “the moment Scottish rugby truly arrived following dark days of the past.”

Dee Bradbury: Finn Russell’s ‘pass of the century’ against England in 2018 – “one of the most mercurial moments and pieces of skill ever seen on that pitch, setting Scotland up for a near-decade of Calcutta Cup dominance never before seen.”

Chris Paterson: The debut of ‘Flower of Scotland’ at Murrayfield in 1989 – “the first time the song was used at an international match in any sport, and now a fixture of every matchday.”

All: The first standalone Scotland Women’s match at the national stadium – “Women’s rugby may not have played as significant a part in Murrayfield’s past, but it will be a firm fixture in its future.”

Fans: January 1964 – Scotland 0–0 New Zealand. “As a teenager I didn’t realise how good a result 0–0 was – to this day we have never beaten the All Blacks.”

Fans have until 5pm on Monday, November 10 to vote for their favourite Murrayfield moment at scottishrugby.org/murrayfieldmemories, with the winning moment to be announced ahead of Scotland’s Autumn Internationals clash with Argentina on Sunday, November 16.

The Murrayfield Memories campaign was launched earlier this year to mark the stadium’s 100th anniversary. More than 800 fans have already shared personal memories – from unforgettable matches to concerts, club finals, and even the odd first date that led to marriage.

To submit your story or cast your vote, visit scottishrugby.org/murrayfieldmemories.

Image credit: Scottish Rugby

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