Commonly known as PC, he passed away on Sunday, January 12, following a long battle with illness.
Part of a proud sporting family, his father Jock was a goalkeeper who played for both Clyde and Hibernian – also achieving Scotland caps in his respective sport.
While his uncle, Jim, emigrated to the USA and would go on to represent the country in the first-ever football World Cup in 1930.
His brother Gordon – known as ‘Broon frae Troon’ – was a fellow rugby international who earned 12 of his 30 caps alongside his brother and played eight Lions test matches.
In his own career, Peter was a character who may have been labelled as a “maverick” had he played in the current day.
He played in the school first XV at Marr College in Troon for three seasons before graduating to senior rugby with West of Scotland. Latterly, he joined the Gala club, for whom he contributed so much on and off the pitch.
Peter made his debut for Scotland, at lock, in a 10-0 victory over France at Murrayfield on January 4, 1964.
Capped 27 times in total, 13 appearances came in the same position, with PC played on a further 14 occasions in the number eight role.
He captained his nation on 10 occasions and boasted a strong winning record of 13 matches overall, including a remarkable five victories over the Auld Enemy.
Long after his playing days had concluded he would gleefully present you with a business card, proclaiming “PC Brown – record points scorer for a Scotland forward”.
The 66 points that he proudly contributed still stand supreme, despite the penchant now for hookers regularly to touch down a try off the back of a driving maul.
Peter scored three tries, 15 penalties and six conversions for Scotland, with kicking a trait rarely associated with the modern-day forward.
His kicking style was all his own. No deep breathing. No round the corner. No yoga poses.
He would wipe his nose against the cuff of his jersey and “blooter”, toe-poking the ball goalward, most memorably at Twickenham in 1971, where Scotland had not won since 1938.
Brown had scored a try in the first-half – all three of his Scotland tries were notched against England – but it was his conversion of Chris Rea’s try in the game’s closing stages that took Scotland to a 16-15 victory.
His role in that epic finale – and his unflappable conversion – will forever be part of Scottish Rugby folklore.
Following the news of his passing, current Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend was quick to pay tribute to Peter.
He said: “PC was great company and his passion for Scottish rugby and the game in general always shone brightly.
“His exploits on the field have gone down in legend, being a key contributor in some Scotland famous wins during his international career.
“A goal-kicking captain playing in the forwards must have been a unique achievement before Jon Eales did something similar with the Wallabies a few decades later.
“He continued to be involved with rugby after he retired from playing, being involved with Gala then on the international stage once again with his work on various disciplinary panels over the years. He will be sadly missed.”
A Scottish Rugby spokesperson added: “Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to Peter Brown’s family and many friends. We will share details of his funeral on our website when arrangements are advised.”