Scottish Rugby greats, Sir Ian McGeechan and John Beattie, talk exclusively to scottishrugby.org about the merits of the new Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame and discuss their own heroes of the oval ball game as they prepare to nominate the first inductees (the Hall of Fame dinner will be held at Murrayfield on Thursday 4 November).

John Beattie said: "I think, like any young rugby player, you grow up with heroes. My heroes are from the 60s and 70s when I watched the likes of Ian McGeechan and David Leslie - there's no doubt that you have to recognise these people as being special because without hugely inspirational players the next generation just doesn't happen.

"I remember hundreds of things that I watched as a boy. That's what inspired me and I'm sure that's what inspires everyone else and is why these people have to be remembered."

Sir Ian McGeechan added: "You forget how good some of these players were. It's been fascinating looking back at individuals and the history behind them - things like three triple crowns in the first part of the 1900s.

"It all builds towards what the Scotland team and being at Murrayfield has become. These are the people who have inspired every generation to be part of it."

CLICK HERE TO FOR MORE INFORMATION TO VOTE FOR YOUR ERA

Supporters of Scottish rugby are being given the chance to select one of the first inductees to the new Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame.

Hosted on the governing body's website stage one of the voting invites supporters to select a noteworthy era.

The Hall of Fame panel (which includes five times British and Irish Lions coach, Sir Ian McGeechan, fellow British Lions and Scotland internationalists John Beattie, John Jeffrey and Chris Rea, and the doyen of Scottish rugby writers, Norman Mair) will then draw up a shortlist of Scots who have made an outstanding contribution in that era to the oval ball game for a second round of voting which will begin in August.

The successful candidate will then join the inductees selected by the panel to be announced and inducted at the inaugural gala dinner at Murrayfield on Thursday 4 November, to which two lucky voters will be invited to attend as special guests.

As well as the famous inductees, the dinner will be attended by the current Scotland squad, with the first 10 tables purchased given the opportunity to have two special guests at their table from the current Scotland team or management, a week from their Autumn Tests matches against New Zealand, South Africa and Samoa.

The inaugural Hall of Fame dinner, which will be preceded by a pitch-side champagne reception, will be hosted by renowned broadcaster Dougie Donnelly.

Prices to attend this glittering awards ceremony are £149 + VAT pp or £1,490 + VAT for a table of 10. To make a booking please contact The Murrayfield Experience (+44(0)131 346 5250 / This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Vote 1: Choose an era
- Open 20 July - 10 August
- A supporter can vote once for their one preferred era
The panel will then select a shortlist of nominees to be put to a second vote
Vote 2: Choose an inductee
- Open 13 August - 10 September
- The supporter can vote once for their one inductee
- Two lucky voters will be selected to attend the dinner

The Hall of Fame package includes
- The chance to have two Scotland international guests at your table
- Pitch-side champagne reception
- Three course dinner with wine
- Programme
- Induction ceremony
- Presentation of awards
- Guest speaker