Scotland’s oldest cap celebrates his 100th birthday
2 Jun 2026Scotland’s oldest rugby cap has celebrated his 100th birthday . . . some 26,735 days after he wore the thistle with pride in international action.
Lorn Cowie made his Scotland debut as a back-row forward against England at Twickenham on 21 March 1953. He is Scotland cap number 649.
That day in south-west London was notably mild, dry and spring-like. Yesterday, at his home in Edinburgh, Lorn and his many guests had to dodge heavy showers – not that the weather had any effect on his cheerful disposition.
“Lorn is somebody who has always wanted to understand whatever is going on. His aim is to understand, and he then goes from there,” explained his daughter, Isabel Moloney.
“He is the kindest, most encouraging and delightful person that we could be blessed with.”
Pictured: An array of well-wishers turned out for Lorn’s big birthday yesterday
Born in Glasgow on 1 June 1926, William Lorn Kerr Cowie was schooled at Fettes College in Edinburgh and then attended both Cambridge and Glasgow Universities.
Staff from Fettes College attended his birthday bash yesterday, complete with his school rugby cap from the 1942-43 season.
Pride of place was his Scotland cap, jersey and match programme from that 1953 Calcutta Cup encounter, alongside countless birthday cards, including one from the King.
Initially, rowing was Lorn’s sport of choice at Cambridge, but, reigniting his love for rugby, he joined Kelvinside West (a brief post-war amalgam of Kelvinside Accies and West of Scotland) and when his work in law took him to the capital, he enlisted with Edinburgh Wanderers.
Lorn had the distinction of playing for both Glasgow and Edinburgh in the inter-city, scoring a try for Edinburgh in the 1952 fixture, doubtless propelling him towards his Scotland debut later that season.
In law, Lorn joined the Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh in 1952, becoming an Advocate Depute in the Crown Office. He was made a QC in 1967.
Ultimately, he became a High Court judge and also served as a Judge of the Court of Appeal, in Botswana from 1995–98.
Rugby, however, has been a constant in his life so lived to the full.
“Rugby has been something that he really lived and breathed until maybe family life took over,” recalled Isabel, “and, yet, if we come to the later stage of his life, he has really come back into contact with rugby in an amazing way.”
Some 72 years to the day he made his Scotland debut, Lorn Cowie was among the former Scotland male and female players and international referees who took centre stage on the day of Murrayfield stadium’s 100th anniversary.
“The people we met at your wonderful centenary just lit him up and he and David Rollo were the last two people to leave the lunch at that celebration. That says it all!” added Isabel.
Rollo, the former Howe of Fife, Scotland and British and Irish Lions prop, who will be 92 next month and is now our second-oldest living Scotland cap, sent Lorn Cowie birthday wishes, as did Scotland’s head coach Gregor Townsend.
Rugby continues to play a key role for the Cowie family, with grandsons Phil, Chris and Perran all donning Scotland jerseys emblazoned with 100 for the celebrations. All played at school.
Pictured: Lorn with grandsons Phil, Chris and Perran
Grandson, Tom, who plays for Maldon Rugby club in Essex, hopes to go to Loughborough University where rugby will be integral to a sports degree.
Gifts galore were delivered to Lorn, including his favourite tipple, an Amontillado medium-dry sherry.
No surprise then, that when asked the secret to his longevity, Lorn, looked straight down the camera lens and raised his glass – Cheers!
Pictured: A cake fit for such an occasion, with Lorn’s congratulatory card from the King
