RECENTLY retired Scotland Sevens star Mark Robertson was given the honour of addressing this year's Melrose Festival Ceremonies.

Having helped his country to win back-to-back IRB tournaments at Twickenham, as well as a first ever victory over the All Blacks, and a silver medal with Team GB at the Rio Olympics, Robertson spoke of inspiration, self-belief and determination.

He described growing up in the shadow of The Greenyards where many of Scotland's stars were plying their trade.

Mark said: "In Melrose our youngsters are provided with a fantastic platform to enable them to go on and achieve their dreams.

"The town does everything it can to lay a path for them to succeed.

"The value of being around people who perform at an elite level however cannot be underestimated.

"When kids spend time with people who are elite in whatever field, it rubs off on them too. That was certainly the case for me growing up in Melrose during the 90s. The place was rugby daft back then and the home team was full of famous internationalists.

"I grew up knowing players like Chick Chalmers, Brian Redpath, Graham Shiel and last year's guest speaker Doddie Weir.

"Because I knew no different, it just seemed normal that these guys would play for Melrose one week then be on the TV playing for Scotland in front of tens of thousands of people the next.

"At the age of eight or nine, perhaps somewhat arrogantly, I believed that I’d become a professional rugby player and play for Scotland too. Without their influence I’m not sure that would have been the case.

"I can only hope that, my Melrose and Scotland teammate Scott Wight and I can be similar role models to our up and coming stars."

Robertson spoke of his bitter disappointment at being overlooked by the Scotland team for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The mild-mannered winger described his determination and work-ethic to not only win back his place with Scotland, but also earn a Team GB call-up for the 2016 Olympics.

And he put much of his late success down to both self-belief and his team's realisation of what they could achieve.

Mark continued: "Reaching a final of a world series sevens tournament let alone winning a tournament seemed impossible for a Scottish team.

"That was until we won Twickenham in 2016.

"Since then the same group has made the podium on three occasions, capped of by winning Twickenham for a second time 12 months later.

"Perhaps, a new perception of what is possible?

"Beating New Zealand was another long standing barrier. No Scottish side had beaten the All Blacks in 112 years, and the longer this went on the harder it seemed to get.

"After beating them last month, my guess is that we’ll not have to wait 112 years to do it a second time."

The former Melrose and Edinburgh player also paid tribute to the town where he spent his formative years.

And to the traditions which continue to embrace the community.

Mark added: "For anybody that knew me in Primary 7, I think you’d agree that my teacher would have put her mortgage on me never getting the honour to address the Festival Queen and Court.

"I’m very fortunate to be from Melrose. It may small but it has a rich, rich history and for me when the song, Here’s Tae Melrose, was written back in 1937 the words ‘the Gem of Scotland’ have stood the test of time.

"We have a school that is leading the way in its approach to education - every child wants to learn and can learn, but every child is different therefore the approach to engaging with that child has to be different.

"We have a rugby club youth section that is leading the way - I’d go as far to say the club is pioneering the way to best develop young players.

"Finally, it all comes down to the people in the town giving up their time because they’re proud of the town and what it stands for.

"This festival is case and point - the buzz around the town is infectious - it is constantly evolving whilst keeping with traditions that will always be celebrated."