Scotland skipper Gordon Bulloch is delighted to be in the Lions squad but disappointed that some of his countrymen have missed out. The experienced hooker will be joined by scrum-half Chris Cusiter and back-row forward Simon Taylor in coach Sir Clive Woodward's 44-man pool.
"It's a huge event and a great honour," Bulloch told BBC Sport.
"But I'm gutted for Jason (White), Chris (Paterson) and Tom (Smith), who all had a good chance of making it."
Bulloch and Taylor represented the Lions on their last tour to Australia in 2001.
"I remember the sea of red before the first Test in Brisbane," said Bulloch.
"It's a very special experience."
Twenty Englishmen have been selected, while there are 11 from Ireland and 10 members of the Welsh Grand Slam-winning squad.
"The coach was always going to pick players he knows and you have to remember England won the World Cup in 2003," Bulloch added.
 |  We didn't have a good Six Nations and maybe that's cost a few of the guys |
"A lot of the English guys are proven winners and the Welsh had a great season.
"I think it's a very strong squad, capable of doing well in New Zealand. The Six Nations has grown in strength and depth.
"To pull on the same jersey as great players like Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back will be fantastic and hopefully it can take my game up to another level."
Cusiter, who has made just 16 appearances for Scotland, is also relishing the prospect of the summer tour.
"It's been a hard season and a lot of things haven't gone our way, but this is great news.
"It's the highlight of my career so far.
"We didn't have a good Six Nations and maybe that's cost a few of the guys.
"I feel for Chris Paterson and Jason White, who did well to shine in a losing side."
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