Book commemorating centenary of Murrayfield launched

'This is Murrayfield', written by Scotland Rugby News columnist Rob Robertson alongside Peter Burns, charts the stadium's history from the first game against England back in 1925 to the most recent success against the Auld Enemy earlier this year.  

It has been a “labour of love” for Robertson, for whom this is a seventh book. He is also a playwright with one of his works that centred round the life and times of legendary Scotland rugby commentator Bill McLaren playing to sold-out theatre audiences.

Rob Robertson shows off his book 'This is Murrayfield' at the home of Scottish rugby (Image: Fotosport/David Gibson) He said: “I came up with the idea for the book two or three years ago and have been working on it ever since.  

“It is such an iconic stadium and has given people so many memories over the years - everybody has got memories of Murrayfield, whether you remember the 1984 or 1990 Grand Slams, the 2000 win over England or the more recent Calcutta Cup wins.“ 

The 272-page book includes detailed first-hand accounts from those at the centre of the matches, and Robertson was delighted with the support they’ve received.  

“People might wonder how we managed to get an interview with  Jimmy Ireland who played in the 1925 Grand Slam-winning game at Murrayfield but Derek Douglas [former chief rugby writer at The Herald] had interviewed him at his home in Falkirk in 1996 and allowed us to use it for the book. 

“Every player we approached has been brilliant and wanted to speak to us about their memories of Murrayfield.” 

Jim Telfer, the former Scotland player and coach who led the team to the 1999 Five Nations title, wrote in the foreword: “Murrayfield, to me, is the home of rugby.  

“I have always had a great love for the stadium and the great atmosphere created when internationals are taking place.  

More than 20,000 people turned up to see Scotland lift the Five Nations trophy on a Monday night in 1999 (Image: SNS) “I loved going through the gates for those ten years when I was director of rugby. I felt proud and honoured to be going into my office every day to try and do my best for Scottish rugby.  

“Murrayfield is a very special place not just for me but for Scottish rugby fans the world over. 

“Murrayfield has given so many people so many memories over the last hundred years and will continue to do so for many more to come.” 

Whether in a working capacity or as a supporter, Robertson has been attending Scotland matches for decades.  

He looked back on some of his own favourite memories at the stadium.  

“I’ve been spoilt in that I can remember the 1984 Grand Slam, but my favourite memory is the 1990 game against England, although the 2023 Bruce Springsteen concert came pretty close.  

Rob poses with his book on the pitch at Murrayfield (Image: Fotosport/David Gibson) “I was also at a game against France in 1986 which was seen as the turning of the page and the Hastings brothers, Finlay Calder and David Sole all made their debuts. It was the changing of the guard.” 

His other highlight was a game against New Zealand in 2017 when Scotland came within a whisker of beating the mighty All Blacks.  

“I really thought that was the day the monkey was going to be off Scotland’s back,” he said. 

“It looked like Stuart Hogg was going to score in the last minute but Beauden Barrett tackled him in the corner. That was another great day.”  

He also recalled the poignant scenes pre-match as Doddie Weir, whose Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis had been made public that summer, presented the match ball flanked by sons Hamish, Angus and Ben.  

Doddie Weir's delivery of the match ball before Scotland played New Zealand in 2017 was an emotional moment (Image: SNS) “That’s what made the day even more special,” Robertson added. 

The book does not just chart the centenary of the stadium in international matches.

Also included are some memorable club encounters, including the first-ever Scottish Cup final between Watsonians and Hawick in 1996, the European Cup final between Toulouse and Stade Francais in 2005 and Edinburgh’s European quarter-final win over Toulouse in 2012.  

While the book is not wall-to-wall in Scotland victories – it does include a recap of the 2007 Six Nations defeat to Italy, the Azzuri’s first away win since joining the championship - thankfully Scotland’s record home defeat, a 68-10 drubbing by South Africa in 1997, is not recounted 

As for Robertson’s Murrayfield low point, that has not made the cut but he remembers watching as a young Scotland side were put to the sword by the All Blacks in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.  

The Scotland squad trudge off after the 2007 Rugby World Cup defeat to New Zealand (Image: SNS) He recalled: “Frank Hadden was the coach at the time and he was focusing on the last game against Italy to qualify for the quarter-finals so he made changes for the New Zealand game and Scotland lost 40-0.” 

The great and good of Scottish rugby, from Jim Renwick and Andy Irvine to John Rutherford and Gregor Townsend, joined the authors and guests for a launch event at Murrayfield on Thursday evening. 

This is Murrayfield is available from Amazon, Waterstones and local bookshops. Signed copies with some extra bonus items are available to buy on the website.