Mac Henderson

James McLaren Henderson (1 May 1907 – 5 March 2009), 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.[1][2]

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.[2]

His career in rugby came to an abrupt end after he received a serious ligament injury while on a tour with the Barbarians.[3]

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."[1][2][4]

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.[5]

He died on 5 March 2009 at the age of 101 as the longest-lived Test player in rugby union history.[6]

Personal life

Henderson met Janet Millar, while playing tennis at a friend's home at Gullane. Millar was an architect's daughter and in 1932 the couple married in a society wedding in Troon. His wife had been told she could not have children, but she believed that a healthy, vegetarian diet would make her fertile. The couple went on to have seven children; five sons named Andrew, John, Peter, Nicholas and Oliver; two daughters, Sara and Catherine. At his death Henderson had 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.[3]

References
  1. ALASDAIR STEVEN (18 March 2009). "James 'Mac' Henderson - Obituaries". Scotsman.com. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  2. Alasdair Reid (17 March 2009). "Scottish rugby mourns death of Mac Henderson aged 101". Telegraph. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  3. "City rugby star Mac Henderson made vegetarian food his game - News". scotsman.com. 17 March 2009. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  4. "Vegetarian Restaurant Edinburgh Scotland UK". Hendersons Of Edinburgh. Archived from the original on 31 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  5. "About us - MAC HENDERSON". Scottishrugby.org. 17 March 2009. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  6. "Ian Henderson | Rugby Union | Players and Officials | ESPN Scrum". Scrum.com. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
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