Thousands of Scottish rugby fans fans choose Weir’s 2017 match ball delivery as Murrayfield’s greatest-ever moment.

Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.

The former Scotland lock’s walk onto the pitch – wearing his trademark tartan suit and flanked by his sons Hamish, Angus, and Ben – was chosen as Scottish Gas Murrayfield’s defining moment, taking 54.5% of the vote. The result was announced ahead of Scotland’s Autumn Test against Argentina on Sunday (November 16).

It finished ahead of Scotland’s iconic Grand Slam triumph over England in 1990 (42.8%) and the record crowd of more than 130,000 who watched Scotland defeat Wales in 1975.

Scottish Rugby hails a memory that ‘transcended sport’ and united a nation beyond the game

The three moments were shortlisted by a panel of Scottish rugby icons – Sir Ian McGeechan, Chris Paterson, Mike Blair and Dee Bradbury – from hundreds of fan nominations submitted as part of the Murrayfield Memories campaign. The project marks the stadium’s centenary year by inviting supporters to share their stories, photographs and memories of a century of sport and spectacle.

Doddie’s appearance on November 18, 2017 came just months after the 61-cap Scotland and British & Irish Lions forward revealed his diagnosis with motor neuron disease (MND). He died in November 2022 after living with the condition for more than six years.

Weir, who represented Scotland between 1990 and 2000 and toured South Africa with the Lions in 1997, was one of the sport’s most beloved figures, celebrated as much for his humour and humanity as for his performances on the field.

His walk before a sell-out crowd of 67,000 – carrying the match ball ahead of Scotland’s Test against New Zealand, which the All Blacks narrowly won 22–17 – has since become one of the most powerful and unifying moments in Scottish sporting history.

Sir Ian, who coached Scotland to their Grand Slam victory over England on 17 March 1990 and played in the 1975 ‘record crowd’ match against Wales, said the sight of Weir on the pitch that day “went far beyond sport – bigger than rugby itself.”

Former Scotland captain Blair, who served as assistant coach during the 2017 Test, described it as ‘the most emotional moment I’ve ever experienced at Murrayfield’.

The match ball delivery also marked the launch of Weir’s charity, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which has since committed almost £20 million to pioneering MND research projects with the aim of achieving Doddie’s legacy – a world free of MND

Walk on with sons Hamish, Angus and Ben following MND diagnosis beats 1990 Grand Slam

His widow, Kathy Weir, said: “Doddie had the honour of wearing the thistle at Murrayfield and winning 35 of his 61 caps there for the national team. He also played in the inaugural Rugby World Cup Sevens there in 1993, so Murrayfield will always be a truly special place for us.

“That was underlined, too, when Doddie had retired as a player. He loved mixing with people and leapt at the chance to meet folk and have a right laugh as he hosted hospitality at the stadium for many years.

“To hear that supporters have described the match ball presentation he did with Hamish, Angus, and Ben before the game against New Zealand in 2017 as their favourite memory in the stadium’s 100th year is incredibly humbling.”

His eldest son Hamish, 24, said the result reflected ‘how people felt in that moment’. He added: “Rugby is a sport for everyone, and Dad’s spirit shone far beyond the field. He connected with people on a human level, and they loved him for that.”

Angus, 23, said: “Working with dad’s charity, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, we continue to strive to support those battling MND and their families and friends who are confronted by the reality that there is currently no cure for the condition.

“When he brought the match ball on that day, it also marked the launch of the Foundation, and we take great pride in what that moment began.”

Youngest brother Ben, 21, said: “Thanks to everyone who voted. I’m sure Dad would be proud to know how that moment captured people’s hearts and celebrated what rugby is all about.”