A range of sporting achievement has been recognised with the announcement of the first 50 names to be installed in the new Scottish Sporting Hall of Fame.

Their identities were unveiled on Saturday when the hall officially opened at Edinburgh's Royal Museum.

The list includes sporting heroes from the last 200 years - starting with Captain Robert Barclay Allardice, who became famous for his amazing walking feats in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Jim Baxter starred for Rangers

Many legendary names from Scotland's footballing past, both on and off the pitch, also feature.

Managers Sir Matt Busby, Bill Shankly and Jock Stein are joined on the roll-call by players including Jim Baxter, Denis Law, Billy Bremner, Jimmy Johnstone and player-turned-manager Kenny Dalglish.

The list also includes boxers Benny Lynch, Ken Buchanan and Jim Watt, swimmer David Wilkie, athlete Allan Wells and sailor Sir Chay Blyth.

Rugby players Gavin Hastings and Andy Irvine also make the list, along with racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart - a founding patron of the hall of fame.

The other patrons are the Princess Royal and First Minister Jack McConnell, who performed the induction ceremony.

Increased participation

Mr McConnell said: "I would congratulate all those who have been recognised today.

"But this hall of fame is not just about remembering past successes - we must use these achievements to encourage more people to take part in sports.

"By encouraging and supporting increased participation we will help improve the nation's long-term health and well being - and everyone will benefit."

Sir Matt Busby managed Manchester United

The hall of fame is a partnership between sportscotland and the National Museums of Scotland.

The project was launched a year ago to mark 200 years of Scottish sporting heritage.

A list of 100 possibles was whittled down to 50 by an independent selection panel, which considered feedback from a website and a temporary exhibition which attracted more than 40,000 visitors.

Sir Jackie Stewart said: "I believe that the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame will provide us all with a lasting tribute to past stories of success and for those great sporting moments that await us in the future."

The Princess Royal will launch a �300,000 fundraising campaign on 5 December to create a permanent gallery.

BBC One Scotland will televise The Famous 50, on Saturday 30 November at 2225 GMT.