Lorn Cowie, Scotland's oldest former international, dies aged 100

Lorn Cowie, Scotland’s oldest former international rugby player, has died aged 100. Scottish Rugby announced on 24 October 2026 that he died on Friday 23 October. No cause of death was given.

Born William Lorn Kerr Cowie in Glasgow on 1 June 1926, he was schooled at Fettes College in Edinburgh and attended Cambridge and Glasgow Universities. Rowing was his first sport at Cambridge, but he returned to rugby with Kelvinside West before joining Edinburgh Wanderers when his work in law took him to the capital.

He played for both Glasgow and Edinburgh in the inter-city fixture, scoring a try for Edinburgh in the 1952 match, and made his Scotland debut as a back-row forward against England at Twickenham on 21 March 1953. He was Scotland cap number 649, and it was his only cap.

In law, Cowie joined the Faculty of Advocates in 1952, became an Advocate Depute in the Crown Office, was made QC in 1967, and became a High Court judge, later serving as a Judge of the Court of Appeal in Botswana from 1995 to 1998.

Some 72 years to the day after his debut, on 21 March 2025, he was among the former Scotland players and referees centre stage at Murrayfield stadium’s 100th anniversary celebration. Scottish Rugby president Keith Wallace said: “It was such a privilege to meet him and his family and the thoughts of everyone connected with Scottish Rugby are with them today.”

Sources: Scottish Rugby obituary; The Offside Line