Francis Andrew Linden Laidlaw was born in Hawick on 20 September 1940 and he was educated at Melrose Grammar School before employment as a joiner. A member of Melrose RFC., he gained 32 caps as hooker for Scotland between 1965 and 1971; he was captain in two internationals in 1970. He twice toured Australasia with the British Isles in 1966 and 1971, playing a total of 28 games, including two tests. In 1969 he toured South Africa with the Barbarians and nearer home played against New Zealand in 1967 and South Africa in 1970, both at Twickenham. Frank Laidlaw also captained the Barbarians against South African Country Districts on the 1969 tour and against Fiji at Gosforth in 1970.