Obituary: Ally Donaldson

As a PE teacher, then Director of Rugby at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh for some 36 years, until he took early retirement a couple of years ago, Ally nurtured such rugby luminaries as former Scotland captain Stuart McInally and Scotland stand-off Adam Hastings.

But his dedication to the game went way beyond his day job. “You would need pages and pages to note the roles he delivered so brilliantly at Currie Rugby Club,” the club’s vice president, former prop forward, Duncan Wilson said today.

Ally most recently was the under-18s coach at Currie but had been instrumental – alongside another former Scotland back, the late Graham Hogg, in taking a club founded in 1970 from the earthiest tip of the grassroots to the heights of Premiership triumph.

And, along the way, Ally’s coaching was pivotal in the development of such international players as centres Matt Scott and Ben Cairns, and their most recent international player, Edinburgh Rugby’s back-row forward Luke Crosbie.

Roy Mack, a former colleague at George Watson’s College, who was also involved in coaching in the early days at Currie, said: “Ally was a cracking human being, an absolute 100% guy.  He would routinely go the extra mile and then some, when it came to helping young players.”

As a player, Ally was honoured by Scottish Rugby, when he was presented with a retrospective Scotland cap having toured the South Pacific in 1993.

Pictured: The Scotland squad that toured the South Seas in 1993; Ally is fifth from the right in the back row. 

He became Scotland cap number 1191 as a result of his selection at stand-off in the 21-10 victory over Fiji at the Commonwealth Stadium in Suva.

Ally, watched on by his proud father, Kenny, contributed 11 points from the boot to Scotland’s success.

He made his district debut for Edinburgh in 1992 and was Edinburgh cap number 911, becoming part of the capital’s first ever professional squad in 1996 and captain in 1997.

At Currie, he steered the club on the pitch to their success in the inaugural Tennent’s Shield in 1996.

Then, in tandem with Graham Hogg, coached Currie to the Premiership title in 2006/07 and 2009/10.

Ben Cairns and his brother Mark, who had benefited from Ally’s expertise as players, took on the first XV coaching mantle at Malleny Park, always aware that Ally’s guidance remained on tap, as the club won the Premier League in 2023/24.

Ally was also involved coaching Scotland age-grade sides and was additionally head coach of the Scotland Club XV.

“His death has come as a huge shock and our thoughts and prayers are with Ally’s family, friends, all at Currie Rugby Club and the wider rugby community,” said Scottish Rugby President, Keith Wallace.

Scottish Rugby extends it sincere condolences to Ally’s wife Elaine, daughters Laura, Amy, Katie and Lucy, his three grandsons, father Kenny and all of his wider family and friends.

When we have funeral details, we will update on the Scottish Rugby website.

Pictured: Currie captain, Andy Adam (left) with head coach, Ally Donaldson with the winners’ trophy for the Scottish Hydro Premier One League, 2010 (credit: PA images)