Current Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend and former Scotland and Lions boss Sir Ian McGeechan were among those to pay tribute to Hastings.
“Whatever jersey Scott wore, he just made it better,” said McGeechan.
“My association with Scott and his brother Gavin was always special for me because we came into the Scotland set-up, myself as coach, and Scott and Gavin as players, at the same time. We came in together and we grew together.
“I remember Scott on the Lions tours taking an absolute lead. He was so single-minded and determined about winning. He was very much your right-hand man, given what he did on the field.”
Former Scotland team-mate Townsend hailed Hastings as an “iconic figure for Scottish rugby”.
“His defensive display in the 1990 Grand Slam victory over England was crucial to that day’s success and he epitomised what it meant to play for Scotland – combining passion, confidence and aggression, whenever he wore the navy blue jersey,” he said.
“Scott always brought positivity and energy into everything he did from his playing career then into the past couple of decades as a widely travelled and respected commentator.
“His passing is a huge loss for Scottish rugby, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends. Rest in peace, Scott.”
Kenny Logan worked closely with Hastings when their former team-mate Doddie Weir was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, with the pair helping raise money in the fight to find a cure for the illness.
Logan said: “Scott was one of those guys who you could rely on to always put his hand up. His energy was incredible.
“I worked with him while he was chair of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and Scott’s role wasn’t just about generating PR. He was very knowledgeable and would never hesitate to do his bit.”
Former England hooker Brian Moore was a team-mate of Hastings on his two Lions tours, including the series win over Australia.
“The man I got to know very well was a man of huge integrity, honesty and empathy,” Moore said.
“His partnership with Jeremy Guscott was seminal to beating Australia in 1989.
“The one thing you always got with Scott – you knew in extremis or when you were on top he would give nothing less than his very best.
“Those of you who did know Scott know what we’ve lost. Those of you in the wider rugby world who didn’t know him – let me just say rugby is much the poorer for his passing, but very much the better for his being.”
