Scottish Rugby provided live coverage of legendary second-row Doddie Weir’s moving Memorial Service from Melrose Parish Church.
Tartan and tears have filled the Greenyards, where the 52-year-old made his name playing rugby for Melrose.
In a message carried in the Order of Service for today’s memorial at Melrose Parish Church, the 61-times capped lock, known for his colourful suits and big personality, said: “I hope you’ve had a bit of a laugh, maybe a wee cry and have taken on some of my own positive thinking.
And he joked: “When life gives you lemons, pop them into a large G&T. I have my own gin now, you know…. Cheers!”
“Whatever your situation, make the most you can of each and every day. Be nice to people, and laugh as much as possible.”
Former Scotland players including John Jeffrey, Rob Wainwright, Gavin Hastings, Kenny Logan and Kelly Brown were among those attending the service.
Former Lions boss Ian McGeechan and former England internationals Bill Beaumont, Martin Johnson and Rob Andrew were also present.
Fly-half Andrew played with Weir during Newcastle Falcons Premiership triumph.
Logan’s wife, TV presenter Gabby Logan, and multiple Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Sir Chris Hoy were also in attendance.
One fan wrote: “Watching the memorial for Doddie Weir. Lovely touch with everyone wearing something tartan, very emotional.”
A second commented: “On leave for a couple days. So I’m able to watch Doddie Weir’s memorial. Such a wonderful man, fantastic rugby player and an outstanding fundraiser to try & find a cure for MND”
Another wrote: “Very moving memorial service for Doddie Weir. Doddie was my favourite rugby player growing up, first because of a shared last name but secondly because I grew up with his giant, tartan suit wearing presence at northumberland county shows.”
Doddie Weir’s Memorial Service
JOIN THE RUCK:
Doddie Weir names his dream team:
BACK-THREE:
Gavin Hastings (Scotland): “Consistently outstanding for both Scotland and the Lions. Helped me a lot when the game turned professional.”
Tony Stanger (Scotland): “Probably Scotland’s greatest ever finisher. He was key as we won the 1990 Grand Slam.”
Jonah Lomu (New Zealand): “He took the 1995 World Cup by storm. There were plenty of players who were six foot five and nearly nineteen stone, but none I knew who could run the 100m sprint in 11 seconds.”
CENTRE:
Alan Tait (Scotland): “He seemed to have the uncanny ability to always be in the right place at the right time. Then you realised that was because he was pushing opponents into areas where they had no space to work. He was also the tightest man in the world.”
Tana Umaga (New Zealand): “Scored twice against us. Like with Lomu, we really struggled to contain him.”