Former Scotland Sevens star James Johnstone has announced his retirement from professional rugby.
The 32-year-old Dumfries-born outside centre signed off from Edinburgh at the weekend.
He tweeted a message thanking the club and his family and friends for their support and went on to reveal his decision to retire.
Johnstone said: “My time at Edinburgh Rugby comes to an end!
“It’s been a great journey with some real highs and lows. I just want to thank all the people, especially all the players and fans that have made it such a unique experience.
“It was a great send off at the weekend and feel honoured that the club gave myself and Ben Toolis an opportunity to say goodbye and for the reception that we got.”
He added: “I have played alongside some world class players and made lifelong friends through the sport and feel very lucky to have achieved what I have.
“It is also the right time for me to retire from professional rugby. It’s been a hell of a ride and I will look back on some amazing moments. I could not have done it without the support of my family and friends and of course Katie Gill.
“You never know when your last game will be. It was a difficult decision to retire at the end of the season. I thought a lot about it but I think it is the right time for me to step away and look for a new career.
“I have played 13 years professionally and achieved all I have wanted. I felt it was the right time mentally and physically.
“I am still trying to decide what I am going to do so I am going to take time over the summer. I don’t even know if I will play rugby as a hobby, I need to take time and reflect on everything. I am trying to keep my options open.
“I have a lot of favourite moments throughout my rugby career for which I am grateful. My favourite two will be winning the London Sevens with Scotland in 2016 which was Scotland’s first ever World Series tournament win. Another one which I will never forget was the European Rugby Challenge Cup.”
After breaking into Edinburgh’s first XV at the beginning of the 2017/18 season, Johnstone signed a two-year deal to remain at the club on a full-time basis.
He burst on to the World Series Sevens circuit in 2013 when he represented Scotland at the Rugby World Cup 7s in Moscow and then played in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
In season 2015/16 he was Scotland’s second highest try-scorer with 22 and played a key role in the historic cup win in the final leg of the series in London.
He amassed 41 caps for the sevens side and was called in to train with Gregor Townsend’s senior squad ahead of the Six Nations match in Paris in 2019.
Johnstone, who started rugby life as a Dumfries mini, attended Merchiston Castle School and went on to play club rugby at Currie and Watsonians before making his Edinburgh debut from the bench in the 2015/16 season opening victory over Leinster.
Johnstone scored his first try for Edinburgh in the 24-19 1872 Cup win over Glasgow.
