Jimmy Gillespie

Who was Jimmy Gillespie?

John "Jimmy" Imrie Gillespie was a Scottish international rugby union player, who played for Scotland and the Lions. At club level he played for Edinburgh Academicals.

Gillespie was selected for the 1903 British Lions tour to South Africa and finished the tour as the top Test scorer for the touring team. He played in 19 matches during the tour including all three test games against South Africa. He scored 13 conversions and a single try on the tour, and amassed four points in the first Test, the British failing to score in the second and third tests.

Gillespie was a chartered accountant and later became a successful referee, including two Wales vs England internationals, one in 1907, and the other in 1911.