Scottish Rugby Tours has unveiled a new addition to its experience at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, honouring the legendary “Voice of Rugby,” Bill McLaren. The Bill McLaren Foundation has recreated his iconic study, showcasing his vast collection of books, videos, and clippings. Initially exhibited in the Borders earlier this year, the study has now found a new home at Murrayfield, in time for the stadium’s centenary celebrations next year.
Starting Monday 2 December, visitors can enjoy the refreshed stadium tours that currently attract around 10,000 guests annually, eager to immerse themselves in nearly a century of sporting history.
Murrayfield’s history began with its inaugural match on 21 March 1925, when Scotland triumphed over England 14-11 to secure their first Grand Slam. Since then, nearly a century later, this iconic venue has hosted over 300 international matches, featuring the greatest names in rugby.
Fans have come from all over the world to see international rugby, since that opening game. But rugby isn’t all that Murrayfield is known for. The 67,144 seat stadium has welcomed world-class athletes from various sports and hosted unforgettable performances by music superstars like the Spice Girls, One Direction, Robbie Williams, Beyoncé, Harry Styles, and most recently, Taylor Swift.
Throughout the 90-minute tour visitors discover what makes it one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world. They’ll be taken for an exclusive look around the Bill McLaren Media Gantry as well as the newly recreated study, to see where the Voice of Rugby worked.
They’ll go into the National Teams’ changing room where they can sit in the same seats as their heroes, before walking in their footsteps down the tunnel and into the stadium bowl, to the roar of the crowd. They’ll also get to see the Calcutta Cup, the oldest international rugby trophy in the world, and even have their photo taken with ‘Oor Doddie’!
Linda Lawson, Bill’s daughter, said: “I can’t tell you how delighted we are from the Bill McLaren Foundation, but also from the McLaren family, that Dad’s desk and study have been recreated here. We have enjoyed doing the stadium tour before, and loved it and I think this is a great addition.
“From a families point of view, we realise that Dad’s study was an absolutely guddle. He knew where everything was, we were hardly allowed in. Anyone who comes will see a look of chaos but it was a really important part of his method of working and his preparation for commentary. We are very grateful to Scottish Rugby for putting this on display at Scottish Gas Murrayfield and we hope that everyone who comes will have a bit of a chuckle and find some things of interest.”
Murray Watson, creator of “Bill’s Office” on behalf of the Bill McLaren Foundation, said: “Bill McLaren became one of the most beloved voices in rugby broadcasting. It’s only fitting to share his story with a new generation of rugby fans, as well as those who cherished his commentary from 1952 to 2002. The original exhibition welcomed 5,000 visitors and the wider project has engaged with an additional 1,000 primary school pupils through the online lesson delivered by Inspire Learning at Scottish Borders Council. I’m delighted we can continue this legacy at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.”
Laura Tinch, Lead on the Scottish Rugby Stadium Tours & Heritage Collection, said: “I’m thrilled that our visitors can now step into Bill’s world and experience his unique rugby storytelling through the tour. His legacy already features prominently in our Bill McLaren Media Gantry, but this new addition offers an even deeper insight into why he remains a celebrated name in rugby history. We’re incredibly grateful to the Bill McLaren Foundation for generously loaning us this display.”
Public guided tours will run twice daily, Monday-Thursday, at 11am and at 2pm and three times Friday-Sunday, 11am, 1pm and 2pm. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes.
To book a behind-the-scenes stadium tour or buy vouchers fans can visit Scottishrugby.org/tours. Tickets are priced from £15 for an adult ticket.
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