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Bill McLaren ties donated to Scottish Rugby
Bill McLaren ties donated to Scottish Rugby

Edinburgh Reporter

time10-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Edinburgh Reporter

Bill McLaren ties donated to Scottish Rugby

A scorecard is mounted and framed along with the ties which are decorated with designs including an embroidered thistle on a rugby ball and crests of the five nations who then played each other. Scotland won the 1984 Grand Slam with four wins out of four games, collecting a total of eight points. The framed ties were bought by George Massie, a well known architect and town planner who lived in Aberdeen and Tomintoul. He purchased them at an auction at a Wooden Spoon dinner in Aberdeen after the McLaren family donated the ties for the rugby fundraiser. George, originally from Elgin, was a great rugby supporter. He sadly died in November last year after treatment for prostate cancer which had developed into secondary bone cancer. He was 77. Now his family has donated the ties to Scottish Gas Murrayfield to put them on public display. Peter Mitchell, former rugby correspondent for the Press & Journal, was a longtime friend of George's. He came to Murrayfield with John Massie, George's brother to hand the ties over for inclusion in the Bill McLaren Study which is now installed in Scottish Gas Murrayfield. John Massie, George's brother, with Laura Tinch, Stadium Tours & Heritage Collection Lead at Murrayfield handing over the ties Scotland v France 1984 In a curious twist of fate it was Peter who wrote part of the programme for the final match in which Scotland clinched the title against the favourites, France, at Murrayfield on 17 March 1984. Scotland had already won the Triple Crown, but the consensus was that France were good – but not as good when playing away from home. Scotland won with a final try scored by Jim Calder by 21 points to 12, securing the first Grand Slam in 59 years. Peter explained that the Press & Journal was 'not a rugby paper, it was a football paper. I was a stray up against The Glasgow Herald and The Scotsman. The other reporters were mildly patronising – but decided I should write the article as I was the French speaker among them, having studied French at the University of Edinburgh. It was a great honour for a country hack from a non rugby paper. I was only chosen because of my French connection.' Peter Mitchell, former Press & Journal journalist John Massie, his partner Gay Greig and Irene and Peter Mitchell at Murrayfield for the handover Grand Slam ties The ties, bearing the dates 1925 (when Scotland won the first fixture) and 1984 for the most recent win, were worn by Bill McLaren during his heyday. The mementoes are now displayed in Bill McLaren's Study which has been moved to Murrayfield intact ahead of the stadium's centenary celebrations this year. The study itself sits beside the Bill McLaren Press Gallery named on 22 March 2022 in honour of McLaren's 50-year long career and 'the joy he has brought to millions worldwide'. The framed ties are hung on the wall of the recreated centre of McLaren's meticulous research along with an appropriate note. Bill McLaren who had previously been a schoolteacher was famed for his excellent and detailed notes from which he crafted his commentary, written in several colours of ink and in small neat handwriting. Murrayfield was opened on 21 March 1925 when Scotland won 14-11 over England in their first Grand Slam. Bill McLaren Our local sports columnist, Bill Lothian, wrote about Bill McLaren, often called The Voice of Rugby: 'Bill McLaren was widely respected as one of the best sporting commentators of his time, specialising almost exclusively in rugby. 'It almost didn't happen though as Bill was struck down by tuberculosis and it was only the emergence of a trial drug that saved his life. 'However, TB did cost Bill his rugby career at a time when, as a back row forward in his native Hawick, he was pushing for a Scotland cap having been selected for a Scotland trial. 'Bill once said he'd have easily traded all his commentary fame and opportunities for five minutes on an international pitch in a Scotland shirt.' George Massie George played for Aberdeenshire Rugby Football Club as a younger man and they summed him up in their warm tribute: 'A tribute to George Massie, FRIAS, RIBA, MRTPI and ARFC. All in the club who knew George will be saddened to learn of his passing on 20th November 2024 at the age of 77. George had been ill for some time but bore his illness and treatment with great fortitude and always had an extraordinarily positive outlook on life. 'George was born and brought up in Kingsmills, Elgin and was one of three brothers. He came to Aberdeen to study architecture at The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, graduating in 1974. It was while he was a student that he first took the field for 'Shire playing mostly on the wing and turned out regularly until the late 1970's. I was always grateful that he was on our side because he was a fair size and when running at full tilt, proved difficult to tackle. George could be prone to a variety of injuries and none more so than when he pulled a hamstring in the warm-up before playing Currie. This was in the days before replacements! 'However, a gregarious and outgoing individual, George was always excellent company around the club and would always go out of his way to make new, younger members of the club feel welcome. He never totally lost touch with the club and was still a close friend with Peter Mitchell until his death. 'George started his professional life with Aberdeen City Council Planning Department working there for some 14 years. He then joined Jenkins and Marr, Civil Engineers, and became a partner with them before retiring to set up his own Development Consultancy. He was also a non-executive director with Aberdeen Harbour Board for six years. He was a very successful businessman and was highly regarded in his profession. 'Our condolences go to John Paul, Peter, Christopher, Anna and Luke and to his grandchildren. 'Some people make you feel better for just having met them and George Massie was certainly one of these.' George Massie Ga Greig and John Massie, with Irene and Peter Mitchell and Laura Tinch, Stadium Tours & Heritage Collection Lead at Murrayfield John Massie on the tour at Scottish Gas Murrayfield John Massie with Peter Mitchell Like this: Like Related

Lorraine Kelly: 'My favourite things about Orkney and why I've loved it since the 1970s'
Lorraine Kelly: 'My favourite things about Orkney and why I've loved it since the 1970s'

Press and Journal

time13-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Press and Journal

Lorraine Kelly: 'My favourite things about Orkney and why I've loved it since the 1970s'

Lorraine Kelly is one of Scotland's most instantly-recognisable personalities. Whether interviewing Hollywood A-listers on her eponymous TV chat show, lending her voice to a number of charity campaigns or, more recently, becoming a best-selling author with her debut novel, the 65-year-old is rarely out of the limelight. Yet, for almost the last half a century, Lorraine has been in love with Orkney and makes an effort to travel to the islands as often as she can. Indeed, she has said that she would live there if she could, but her hectic life in front of the camera makes that very difficult. However, she told the Press & Journal about some of the things which make Orkney such a remarkable place and why she never misses the chance to return. Peace. Being able to breathe. Feeling comfortable and happy. It's like coming home. There have been so many! We had a lovely night recently at the Foveran with a splendid dinner of freshly caught lobster and then we sat outside on the balcony overlooking Scapa Flow until it was well past midnight, drinking and talking with friends. I always stay at the Foveran and the food is wonderful especially as it is locally sourced. For lunch, it has to be Sheila Fleet's Kirk Gallery and Cafe in Tankerness. It's such a beautiful place to visit and to browse Sheila's gorgeous jewellery and the cafe does incredible food and also serves up the best home-made cakes. But there are so many terrific places to eat and such a wealth of wonderful local produce across the islands that I keep finding new places to enjoy. I love a head clearing walk to the Old Man of Hoy starting at Rackwick. Whenever we go there, we take a picnic and sit by the St John's cliffs. It is an absolutely stunning place and one which I never tire of visiting. I also love the walk to Yesnaby 'castle' on the Orkney mainland. I'm heading back to Orkney to open the Island Games in July. I am so honoured to have been asked, and it's going to be amazing. It's about sport, obviously, and youngsters coming together from across the globe. But it's also about participants forging friendships, making memories and discovering why Orkney is such a treasured place. Shetland previously hosted the games [in 2005], but, since then, they have been held in places such as Jersey, Rhodes, Bermuda and Gibraltar. And now they are being staged in my happy place. I'm so looking forward to it. I am also just finishing my second novel. It's the follow up to The Island Swimmer and it is also set in Orkney. There was nothing more thrilling than when I went into the bookshop in Kirkwall and spotted my novel. Seeing your book on the shelf makes it real. It gave me so much pride. I noticed someone reading it at the airport and I wanted to tell them: 'That was me!' But I didn't, because that would have been too boasty. It was actually back in the 1970s when I was a teenager. I used to go youth hostelling with my friends and we travelled all over Scotland. I remember vividly being in Thurso and seeing these gorgeous islands off in the distance and knew immediately that I had to visit. I finally went in 1984 and I have gone back every year since. If you enjoyed this story, you may also like: Meet the 3 generations of Harray Potters casting their spell on Orkney

cHeRries Awards 2025: All the winners revealed
cHeRries Awards 2025: All the winners revealed

Press and Journal

time13-06-2025

  • Business
  • Press and Journal

cHeRries Awards 2025: All the winners revealed

The best in the field of HR came together to celebrate the prestigious cHeRries Awards 2025. It was a celebration of excellence in the field of human resources, training and recruitment, enjoyed by all at the P&J Live. The cHeRries Awards, in association with Mattioli Woods, were hosted by BBC radio presenter and TV host Jason Mohammad. Around 650 people gathered for the night which got underway with a speech from Press & Journal and Evening Express editor Craig Walker before the prizegiving. He said: 'We're here tonight to celebrate the great work being carried out in your profession. 'People leaders are always faced with challenges and a knowledgeable, understanding and supportive people team are exactly what we need. 'You problem solve, suggest different approaches to situations, ensure we are focused on learning and development and so much more – and we're extremely fortunate to have so many of you in this room tonight.' After a tough judging process it was time for all the winners to be announced. Winner: Ishbel Inkster, chief people officer, Orbex With more than 25 years of consecutive service in HR, Ms Inkster has held positions across a number of businesses including Wood, Aberdeen Airport, Scottish Enterprise Grampian and GE Baker Hughes. She's also very passionate about supporting others and has always been visible in setting up and promoting women's network groups, supporting internships and championing all equality, diversity and inclusion in her workplaces. Collecting her award Ms Inkster said: 'I am delighted and very humbled. 'I've had the privilege of working for some great companies and great leaders in my HR career and also hope that I have inspired others. 'The people function is a critical business function and its so important that we recognise the work of everyone in HR. 'The cHeRries event is a brilliant way to celebrate HR and our achievements.' Winner: Semco Martime UK Winner: Flotation Energy Winner: Fiona Reeks, Unique Group Winner: Debbie Middleton, Unique Group Winner: NHS 24 (Organisational Development, Leadership & Learning Team) Winner: Andy Joss, Hunter Adams Winner: Rebecca Cameron, Seaway 7 Winner: wood Early Careers Attraction Network (WECAN) Winner: Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association Entertainment throughout the evening was provided by Waterfront. There was also a silent disco. Mattioli Woods employee benefits team director Sean Westwood said: 'Huge congratulations to all the finalists and winners. 'We're delighted to celebrate your successes with you at yet another amazing cHeRries award ceremony and we're excited to see what you go on to achieve next!' Earlier in the day people gathered for the cHeRries conference, in association with Mattioli Woods. Delegates took part in workshops, panel discussions and networking sessions, hearing from guest speakers around the topic of Shaping the future; awareness, empowerment and preparation for change.

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