Rugby Union career
Amateur career
Macphail was born in the Amber Mansions of Singapore; but brought up in first in South Africa and then in Scotland. He attended Edinburgh Academy, and played rugby union forProvincial career
He was capped for Edinburgh District. He played in the 1949 inter-city match against Glasgow District.International career
He was capped for Scotland twice, playing first against England at Twickenham in 1949, and then against South Africa at Murrayfield in 1951.Business career
He became the Chairman of the Scottish Whisky Association; and of the Edrington Group in Glasgow. He was awarded the CBE medal.Family
His father Lachlan Rose Macphail was a Scottish stockbroker. He died in 1937, when John Macphail was just 13. Macphail married Edith Crabbie in Edinburgh in 1947. They had 2 children: Copper and Michael.Death
He was buried in Logierait Churchyard.Scholarship
The John Macphail Scholarship is a rugby union scholarship for up and coming Scottish players, and is made by the Robertson Trust in memory of John Macphail. The scholarship began for season 2005-06 and is awarded annually.References
1923 births 2004 deaths Scottish rugby union players Scotland international rugby union players Edinburgh Academicals rugby union players Edinburgh District (rugby union) players Sportspeople from Singapore Rugby union hookers {{Scotland-rugbyunion-bio-stub