PRINCIPAL guest at his year's Melrose Festival was Scotland and British Lions rugby star Doddie Weir.

The 45-year-old delivered a humorous address during Thursday evening's Installation and Crowning ceremonies.

The former Melrose, Borders and Newcastle Falcons lock earned 61 caps for his country during a distinguished career.

And he reminded the audience of a few of his team-mates from his days at Murrayfield, including the "Hastings sisters" and Kenny "thick country soup" Logan as well as the two tries he scored against the All Blacks... on his Playstation.

Doddie paid tribute to the Greenyards club where he first made his name, the late, great Bill McLaren, and to the "toughest coach in the game" Jim Telfer.

He said: "Jim would tell us to run as fast as you can then accelerate."

Doddie described winning Melrose Sevens as one of his proudest moments on the rugby field.

And illustrated the advantages of being 6'7" with the help of a few members of the Queen's Court, and also Festival Chairman, Michael Crawford.

Growing up on a far, Doddie revealed most of his family had allied themselves to neighbouring Galashiels - and his niece Alex Mundell was this year's Braw Lass.

But he admitted: "I am perhaps the black sheep of the family as I have always considered myself a Melrose lad."

The waste management boss, who is a sought after pundit and after dinner speaker, paid tribute to this year's Melrosian, Festival Queen and her Court.

He concluded: "There is nowhere in the world you will get a setting as beautiful.

"Here is to Melrose, the gem of Scotland."