Paterson has been hampered by a groin injury of late, impacting on his world renowned place-kicking, and now Scotland will enter an RBS 6 Nations Championship next spring without the Edinburgh full-back for the first time.

Paterson said on www.scotlandrugbyteam.org: ``I've always said I wanted to bow out at the highest level of the game, while I still had the ability to go on.

“Since coming back (from the World Cup) I’ve had a while to think about it and I believe now is the right time to make my decision, especially when I’ve still been playing well at that level.

“My biggest fear would be devaluing what I have achieved and devaluing the jersey. You have to stop at some point and this is the right time for me.”

Paterson, who will be 34 in March, will continue to play for Edinburgh until the end of the season, while there is the option of a one-year extension.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson led the tributes.

Robinson said: “What a fantastic career Chris has had for Scotland. He should be celebrated as one of Scotland’s greatest ever internationalists.

“I respect his decision and thank him for all he has done. Having coached against him, he was a player I always earmarked as a real threat.

“Coaching him has been a delight, primarily because of his many attributes, not least that constant desire to get better.”