Legendary Scottish rugby commentator’s collection moves online

Experts at the University of Stirling have started work to preserve historical records and material belonging to the late Scottish rugby commentator, Bill McLaren.

A black and white photograph of the late Rugby Union commentator Bill McLaren holding a microphone
The late Bill McLaren was known as the 'voice of rugby'.

Experts at the University of Stirling have started work to preserve historical records and material belonging to the late Scottish rugby commentator, Bill McLaren.

The digitisation of the Bill McLaren archive will use state of the art technology to digitise a unique collection of documents relating to the legendary sports broadcaster.

Supported by the Bill McLaren Foundation and led by Stirling’s archivist Karl Magee and academic Professor Richard Haynes, 17 archive boxes have now been delivered to the University to kick off the project.

Professor of Media Sport, Richard Haynes
Professor Richard Haynes
Professor of Media Sport
For many generations of sports fans and television viewers Bill McLaren was the voice of Rugby Union. Over a broadcasting career that spanned four decades he was the oracle of knowledge about the game, spending many hours compiling information about players, teams and famous matches.

Professor Richard Haynes, Professor of Media Sport at the University of Stirling, said: “In his home office in Hawick, affectionately labelled his ‘Glory Hole’, Bill arguably amassed one of the largest archives on rugby anywhere in the world. We are therefore immensely privileged and delighted to be invited to support the Bill McLaren Foundation in their efforts to celebrate Bill’s legacy to the sport that was his lifelong passion.”

Ross Cameron, Chair of the Foundation, said: “Digitisation brings so many benefits. Not only does it securely preserve the collection for posterity, but it provides online access for rugby fans and scholars throughout the world’’.

Scottish historian Dr Murray Watson surrounded by boxes of archive materials Historian Dr Murray Watson

Local historian Dr Murray Watson, who spent several years finding and sifting documents and memorabilia in Bill McLarens’ home in Hawick, said: “The documents tell us so much about how Bill’s mind worked and his attention to detail in preparing for his commentaries. There is so much of interest; from his love letters to his wife-to-be when he was hospitalised with TB, to an erudite exchange of letters with his mentor, Jock Wemyss. There were letters from celebrities like Spike Milligan and Terry Wogan, as well as thousands of letters, practically all complimentary, from his fans and a lot more besides.

“I can’t wait for the digitisation to be completed. We will find out so much more about Bill’s life. Already, working with the University of Stirling is paying dividends. We learned from Professor Haynes’ research into the BBC’s coverage of sport that the first rugby match ever to be televised was the 1938 Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham. From documents we found we were able to tell Richard that Bill was in the crowd that day along with six friends from the Hawick High School rugby team. Now that is what I call a spooky coincidence!”

Once digitisation work is completed. the physical documents and artefacts will be returned to the Heritage Hub Archive in Hawick. A local group of volunteers will also add more detailed metadata descriptions to the online catalogue.

Professor Haynes added: “The objective is to make Bill’s personal collection of rugby journalism and broadcasting available to a wider audience. Like the Foundation, we feel Bill’s collection has the potential to provide new opportunities to deliver new knowledge and skills for future generations, build on the wider benefits of sport to bring people together and provide a broader public good.”