Tom Weir
Tom Weir (December 29, 1914 - July 6, 2006) was a Scottish climber, author and broadcaster. He was best known for his long-running television series Weir's Way.
Early life and career
Weir was born in Springburn, Glasgow, and was the younger brother of actress Molly Weir. After service in the Royal Artillery during World War II, he worked as a surveyor for the Ordnance Survey before commencing a full-time career as a climber, writer and photographer. In 1950 he was a member of the first post-war Himalayan expedition and, in 1952, was one of the first to explore the previously closed mountain ranges of Nepal, east of Kathmandu.
Media career and later life
He became a pioneering campaigner for the protection of the Scottish environment, and has written a column for The Scots Magazine for over 50 years. From 1976, he hosted the Scottish Television series Weir's Way, meeting the people of Scotland, exploring the landscape and its natural history. The show has recently been aired again on STV. He won the Scottish Television 'Personality of the Year Award' in 1978.
Weir lived in Gartocharn and in 2000 he was awarded the inaugural John Muir Lifetime Achievement Award by the John Muir Trust in recognition of his environmental work.[1] He is also celebrated in the song "Tom Weir" written by Edinburgh musician Sandy Wright and performed by the band Aberfeldy.
Weir was buried on 17 July 2006 in Kilmaronock Parch Church, near Drymen at 2 pm. He was buried in the same plot as his sister Molly.
Wee Tam is a LEGEND!!!!!
External links
- stv.tv - Story on Weir's death
- BBC - Veteran broadcaster Tom Weir dies
- Tom Weir in the Gazeteer for Scotland
- Tom Weir Biography
References
- ^ "Top award for Scotland's best-loved "mountain man"". John Muir Trust website. Retrieved 2006-07-07.