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Tom Weir Statue Campaign

About Tom Weir

Thomas Weir, writer, broadcaster and mountaineer was born in Glasgow in December, 1914. He lived for many years in Gartocharn with his wife Rhona and died, aged 91, in 2006.

He was a remarkable man with a long list of achievements:

• In 1950 he was a member of the first post-war Himalayan Expedition and was one of the first mountaineers to explore ranges in Nepal.
• He wrote many books on climbing and about Scotland and his love of his country, its wildlife, its mountains and its scenery was also the topic of his popular television programme, ‘Weir’s Way’, winning him Scottish Television Personality of the Year in 1978.
• In 1976  he was appointed MBE.He was the first person ever to receive the Oliver Brown Award, presented by the Scots Independent.
• In 2000 he was awarded the inaugural John Muir Lifetime Achievement Award. he was awarded the inaugural John Muir Lifetime Achievement Award by the John Muir Trust in recognition of his environmental work.
• For over fifty years he wrote a column in Scots Magazine, sharing his knowledge and love of Scotland’s lochs, birds, animals, hills and glens.
• His favourite place in Scotland was Glen Lyon but for many years he climbed The Dumpling (Duncryne) at Gartocharn. He is buried beside his sister, actress Molly Weir, in Kilmaranock Church Graveyard, Nr Drymen.

 Tom Weir Statue Campaign

 Many people have come together to raise funds for a statue to remember Tom and mark the contribution he made to Scotland and its beautiful countryside.

Since February 2012 the Tom Weir Campaign on Facebook has amassed over 1500 members and the group has been working closely with Rhona Weir, Tom’s widow, and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, who have set up an on-line donation facility,

 The campaign aims to raise £50,000 to have a statue commissioned and erected at Loch Lomond in time for Tom’s centenary celebration in December 2014. 

Many events and fundraising activities are being held throughout Scotland.

 Recently the campaign was given a drawing of Tom by Dave Miles. This fantastic picture of Tom will be on display and available to order as a limited print at the Tom Weir Gala Day on 13th April.  

Glasgow band, The Mighty Sparrahawk have written and recorded “Tom Weir”. This track, penned especially for the campaign, will be released on 30th March, 2013.  All proceeds from cd sales will be donated to the fund.  

It has also been announced that Sean Hedges Quinn, the chosen sculptor, will be attending the Gala Day in Gartocharn on 13th April where his design proposal will be available to the public to view for the very first time. (Previous works by Sean Hedges Quinn include statues of Arthur Lowe (Capt Mainwaring of Dad’s Army) & Sir Bobby Robson.)

 Fundraising Events:

 Saturday 30th March   The Tom Weir Folk, Rock & Beer Ceilidh  at The Bungalow, Shuttle Street, Paisley.  Tickets £10  7pm till late.

 Live music from Albannach, Ted Christopher, Firey Jack, Graham Hendry and Pumpin Jehosafatz and special guests The Mighty Sparrahawk 

 Saturday 13th April      Tom Weir Gala Day at Kilmaronock Millennium Hall, Gartocharn. Free entry.     10am-4pm

Guests include Cameron McNeish, Rhona Weir and Sean Hedges Quinn, our chosen sculptor, who will be displaying his sculpture proposal for the first time. 

The Mighty Sparrahawk will be also be performing their campaign song “Tom Weir”. Also on display will be an original drawing by Dave Miles; limited prints will be available to order on the day.  There will also be homebaking, campaign merchandise, a raffle, tombola, face painting and arts & crafts for sale. Refreshments will also be available. 

Craft tables still available for hire.

 Saturday 4th May      5k Tom Weir Run in the Park at       Balloch Park at 9.30am.  All Welcome.

Bring your red woolly bunnets for a fun run (or walk) round this beautiful park. Don’t worry if you haven’t got a hat as the Bunnet Stall will be there selling campaign merchandise.  

 Knit A Hat for Tom event is still ongoing.

Donations of red wool and extra knitters are still very welcome.

For more info e-mail: [email protected]

HOW TO DONATE

 On line donations, by credit /debit card via Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park website or  send to: “Tom Weir Memorial Fund” to:

Tom Weir Statue Campaign, LL & TT National Park Authority HQ, Carrochan Road, Balloch G83 0EG

 Here is a small film clip of Tom.

Article about Weir’s Way.

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