ONE of Scotland’s most revered rugby writers has been recognised by colleagues with an honorary life membership of their ‘club’.
Norman Mair has received the accolade from the Scottish Rugby Writers’ Club, which has been revived – following a decade of inactivity – under the leadership of chair, The Scotsman’s rugby writer, David Ferguson.
Mair joins just three other life members of the club: broadcaster, Bill McLaren, and writers Peter Donald (Daily Telegraph) and Bill McMurtrie (The Herald).
In addition to Ferguson, the club committee comprises Alasdair Reid (Sunday Herald), Lewis Stuart (freelance, The Times), Stevie Scott (The Courier), broadcaster, John Beattie, and freelance photographer, David Gibson. The Scottish Daily Mail’s Rob Robertson is another key figure.
Mair was lauded yesterday at a lunch in Edinburgh, attended by 50 guests, including the Scottish Rugby Union’s first director of rugby, Jim Telfer, also a former Scotland and British Lions player.
Now formally retired from journalism, Mair is most closely linked with The Scotsman. He remains a member of the inductee selection panel at the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.
Said Ferguson: “It was felt this kind of award for Norman was long overdue. He remains a passionate member of the Scottish rugby community and a great inspiration to rugby journalists and it’s nice to be able to recognise his career in this small way.”
