Former Scotland Rugby International, British & Irish Lions Tourist, BBC Scotland Radio Presenter, Journalist & Event Host

John Beattie, is a Rugby legend in Scotland but he’s also a well known radio presenter on BBC Scotland.

Regularly on radio and television John Beattie’s face peers out at us from several publications. His voice can be heard every week on Radio Scotland, where he hosts the lunch time News.

John was born to Scottish parents in Borneo. He lived in Malaysia, up until the age of eleven. His family eventually returned to Scotland and John took up rugby for Glasgow Schools.

During John’s rugby career, he toured with the British Lions to South Africa in 1980, New Zealand in 1983 and played for the Lions against the Rest of the World in 1986. He was in the last Scottish team to beat England at Twickenham in 1983.

John was forced to retire due to injury in the late 80’s and has since gone on to create a successful career in the media. In 1987 he began summarising with BBC radio, and started writing for Scotland on Sunday. After changing career from Civil Engineer to Chartered Accountant, he decided to give up accountancy for an easier life. As a top journalist, John now writes for The Herald, Sunday Herald, Scottish Rugby Magazine and BBC Online, as well as continuing with his radio and television broadcasting.

In his spare time John plays guitar in a band called John Beattie’s Ruckstars. The band often has changes in the line up with gigging musicians and occasional well known faces from TV and Radio. He says music was always in his family, it’s teamwork but unlike rugby, without the competitiveness. His favourite guitar from his collection is a Gibson Les Paul. You can read more about John’s music career and his guitars here on Guitar.com.

John Beattie is a rugby legend who has great experience as a team player captain. He is also a motivational and after dinner speaker, where his sporting and media stories are superb. John is also happy to host events.

Why Hire John Beattie?