Mackay's exit is the latest development in a longstanding row about the future direction of rugby union in Scotland, historically one of the game's leading eight nations but now on the verge of losing contact with the sport's elite.
The SRU have appointed Fred McLeod as interim chairman with immediate effect, reports Scottish rugby's official website, www.scottishrugby.org
Commenting on the changes the president of the Scottish Rugby Union, Gordon Dixon, said: “There is never a right time to make announcements such as this. Clearly we have been listening to the concerns of the member clubs, the key stakeholders in Scottish Rugby, and these changes are as a consequence of their concerns.
“The General Committee of the Scottish Rugby Union views this as a change of direction – a “new beginning”, which will lead to a greater degree of openness in the future.”
