Mac Henderson

Who was Mac Henderson?

James McLaren Henderson, better known as Mac Henderson was a Scottish international rugby union player and businessman, founding one of Edinburgh's most famous restaurants, Henderson's. His brother Ian was also an international rugby player.

Henderson was born in 1907 in Elphinstone, near Tranent and attended Edinburgh Academy. He played club rugby mainly for Edinburgh Academy but also for Dunbar and Haddington before becoming a professional.

His career in rugby came to an abrupt end after he received a serious ligament injury while on a tour with the Barbarians.

In 1962, Henderson and his wife opened a farm shop in Edinburgh as an outlet for their produce. The following year, they opened a vegetarian restaurant, Henderson's in Hanover Street in the centre of Edinburgh, "which has long since established itself as an institution in the city."

On the occasion of his 100th birthday in 2007, Scottish Rugby held a lunch in honour of Henderson at Murrayfield Stadium. He was the first of Scotland's international players to become a centenarian.

He died on 5 March 2009 at the age of 101 as the oldest Test player in rugby union history.