Died: January 7, 2026Ian McCrae, who has died aged 84, was a Scottish rugby internationalist, renowned as a fierce competitor but one who played the game in its true spirit. Affectionally nicknamed Spivvy, he was pivotal to Aberdeen’s Gordonians club through more than four decades and also represented North and Midlands District over 20 years while a special honour was eight selections for the Barbarians. Many thought he would have earned more caps had he played for a ‘bigger name’ club. Ian George McCrae was born in Bucksburn to parents George and Georgina, older brother of Sheila. Ian first attended Bucksburn primary school where he earned the name Spivvy, as his mother always insisted he was very smartly turned out.

Source: The Herald February 14, 2026 18:04 UTC