Remembering Tom Weir - unveiling of the statue

Rhona Weir with a presentation size statue given to her by the sculptor, Sean Hedges-Quinn

I was absolutely thrilled to get a phone call from Rhona Weir, Tom Weir's wife, asking if I would be happy to unveil the new stature of Tommy later this month.

I told her I would be absolutely thrilled and honoured to do that, but only if she unveiled it with me!

A lot of people, under the guidance, inspiration and sometimes bullying of Susan Taylor, have raised almost enough money to pay for the statue which will be unveiled at Balmaha on the 29th of December at mid-day. That would have been Tom's 100th birthday!

At the moment the sculptor Sean is working flat out to finish the statue, which is life size, and then it will be transported to Balmaha. It would great to get as many folk as possible there, and it would be even better if as many as possible wore a red bobble cap, just as Tommy did.

Tom Weir was a huge inspiration in my early career as an outdoor writer and television presenter and through his own STV programmes he encouraged and motivated thousands of people to travel to some of the less well known parts of Scotland to see and experience what a wonderfully varied and magnificent country this is.

I don'rt believe anyone did more to make Scots appreciate their own country, and he did it with a passion of his own that was envigorating, highly imaginative and extremely couthy. As well as his regular television shows he also wrote a monthly column in the Scots Magazine which lasted some 46 years.

I've also been delighted to watch the Weir's Way with David Hayman on Scottish television these past few weeks, where actor David Hayman has been following in the footsteps of Tommy and revisiting some of his old haunts. David has performed with an admirable mix of passion, sensitivity and appreciation of what Tommy achieved. I hope there will be another series to follow.

So, if you're free on 29th December make you way to Balmaha on Loch Lomonside and join us as we remember the contribution Tom Weir made in so many of our lives.