In his monthly Viewpoint column, outdoors writer, broadcaster and mountain walker Cameron McNeish pays tribute to the memory of climber, TV presenter and outdoors writer Tom Weir.
IN the past few weeks substantial donations from the publishers of the Scots Magazine and Scottish Television have anchored a campaign to create a life sized bronze statue of one of Scotland’s most iconic outdoorsmen.
Some months ago a group of fans came together to make sure that the late Tom Weir was remembered in perpetuity. They hope to raise the £50,000 that’s required to build the statue of Tom and place it somewhere on the banks of his beloved Loch Lomond. It’s hoped the statue will be created and erected in time for the centenary of Tom’s birth in December 2014.
Thanks to the generosity of the publishers and broadcasters, not to mention the hard work put in to organize several other fund-raising events, about half of the required cash has already been reached – a significant watershed.
Tom Weir, who passed away in 2006 at the grand old age of 91, wrote his My Month column in the Scots Magazine unfailingly for 46 years, a remarkable achievement in itself and through his STV Weir’s Way programmes he brought the colour and drama of Scotland’s countryside to millions of viewers. He became Scotland’s Television Personality of the Year in 1976 and was awarded the MBE.
A few weeks ago Hamish Brown and I had the honour of saying a few words at the first Tom Weir Gala Day in Gartocharn on Loch Lomond-side where Tom had lived for many years. It was essentially a fund-raising event to help raise money to create Tom’s statue but it was also a great opportunity to meet a variety of folk who had been, in one way or another, influenced by Tom.
There were many local folk there, people who had been neighbours of Tom and his wife Rhona, and there were a few from the climbing world including Ken Crocket, author of the SMC’s Ben Nevis book and a close friend of Tom’s. The sculptor who will make the statue, Sean Hedges-Quinn was there too with some sketches of what the statue might look like and Tom’s widow, Rhona, was ever-present, a sprightly and enthusiastic 94-yeard old. Messages of goodwill came from as far away as Los Angeles where Tom’s old STV producer, Dermot McQuarrie, is now Vice President of Sport at Fox Television.
But it was the fans who made the day a success, all those folk who knitted Tom Weir bobble caps, everyone who baked and made sandwiches and helped serve tea and soup, those who helped sell raffle tickets and those who bought them. The sun shone and stories about Tom Weir were told and re-told.
Hamish Brown reminded us all that although Tom is best known for his contributions to Scottish life he was a much-travelled explorer and mountaineer, a member of the first post-war Himalayan expedition to the Garwhal in 1950 along with Tom MacKinnon, Douglas Scott and Bill Murray, the beginning of a ten-year period of continuous exploration in the greater ranges. He had also climbed in Greenland, Morocco, Iran, Syria and Kurdistan.
We were reminded too that Tom Weir was born only a matter of days after the death of John Muir – for anyone who may believe in reincarnation! Both men lived for wild places and wildlife, both men sang the praises of wild land in their prolific writings and both men influenced the conservation of such landscapes.
The founder of the fund-raising group is Graham Henry, is a Ballater-based hillwalker and health care assistant who was hugely inspired by Tom Weir’s television programmes.
“I’m from Springburn originally, just like Tom, “ Graham told me. “My mother and father loved Tom’s programmes as much as I did. My mother loved to tell me that Tom, and his sister Molly Weir, came from Springburn, ‘just like us’.
“My dad always collected the Scots Magazine and when he passed away I inherited his collection and I would sit for hours reading Tom’s My Month column. “
Susan Taylor, the human dynamo who is now managing the campaign, said: “Tom was blessed with a talent for story telling and used it to share his wide knowledge and love of Scotland.
“We all feel that Tom’s contribution to Scotland’s conservation and his single-handed fight for our national parks should not go unnoticed and, for generations to come, Tom Weir will be remembered for his achievements.
“The ultimate goal is to have a statue commissioned of Tom to be erected somewhere prominent where many, many people will see him and remember him.”
But what would Tom Weir, essentially a humble and down-to-earth Glaswegian, have thought of the idea of being commemorated with a bronze statue? I asked his wife Rhona.
“I think he would have been delighted,” she bubbled enthusiastically. “He would have been thrilled that people had remembered him because he loved people and I think his legacy was this – he was good at inspiring people. He had a great rapport with people. And I think he left behind something rather special. He always believed that anyone, from any background could achieve anything if they had vision.”
Graham Hendry agrees, and insists the statue is not only about Tom Weir.
“It’s about Loch Lomond,” he said, “it’s about Scotland, and people are embracing the idea of something that is positive, something that we feel is very worthwhile.
“We’re surrounded with negativity at the moment so it’s great to focus on a man who gave a lot and influenced so many people in such a positive way ranging from the likes of yourself, or Muriel Gray to people like me who just like going up the hills for a wander.”
Supporters for the statue include broadcaster Stuart Cosgrove, Martell Maxwell, Tom Morton, Mike Harding, Muriel Gray and Christina McKelvie MSP. And officials from the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park have promised their support too. Chief Executive Fiona Logan said; “Tom Weir is held with great affection for being a true champion of Loch Lomond and the surrounding area. It’s only fitting that his incredible passion is celebrated. We’re working with his family and friends to find a suitable site for a commission that celebrates the life of this great adventurer.”
If you would like to contribute to the Tom Weir Statue Fund your offering will be very welcome. Send a cheque to Tom Weir Memorial Fund, Tom Weir Campaign Group, c/o Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Headquarters, Carrochan, Carrochan Road, Balloch, G83 8EG or check out the PayPal donation link at http://tinyurl.com/tomweirmemorialfund
News of the campaign can be found on the official Tom Weir Statue Campaign Facebook Group at http://www.facebook.com/tomweirmemorial
Tom Weir was a quite remarkable man who influenced a generation of outdoor folk. I suspect we’ll never see his likes again.
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