Tom Weir | |
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| Born | Thomas Weir (1914-12-29)29 December 1914 |
| Died | 6 July 2006(2006-07-06) (aged 91) West Dunbartonshire, Scotland |
| Occupation(s) | Climber,author,broadcaster |
| Known for | Weir's Way |
Thomas WeirMBE (29 December 1914 – 6 July 2006) was a Scottish climber, author and broadcaster. He was best known for his long-running television seriesWeir's Way.
Weir was born inSpringburn, Glasgow, and the younger brother of the actressMolly Weir. After service in theRoyal Artillery during World War II, he worked as asurveyor for theOrdnance Survey, before commencing a full-time career as a climber, writer and photographer.
In 1950 he was a member of the first post-warHimalayan expedition and, in 1952, was one of the first to explore the previously closed mountain ranges ofNepal, east ofKathmandu.[1]
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Weir became a pioneering campaigner for the protection of the Scottish environment, and wrote a column forThe Scots Magazine for over 50 years. From 1976–1987, he hosted theScottish Television seriesWeir's Way, meeting the people of Scotland, exploring the landscape and its natural history. WhenSTV repeated the series during thelate night slot from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s it managed to achieve 30% audience share.[3] The series is available on DVD in the UK.
Weir won the Scottish Television 'Personality of the Year Award' in 1976. He was appointed MBE in 1976. He lived inGartocharn and in 2000 he was awarded the inauguralJohn Muir Lifetime Achievement Award by theJohn Muir Trust in recognition of his environmental work.[4] He is also celebrated in the song "Tom Weir" written by Edinburgh musician Sandy Wright and performed by the bandAberfeldy.[5] And in 2007,L. Pierre wrote an ambient instrumental song, "Weir's Way", featured on his album, "Dip".[citation needed]
Weir was buried on 17 July 2006 inKilmaronock Parish Church, near Drymen, in the same plot as the ashes of his sister Molly.[6]
A collection of some of Weir's best walks was released on DVD in 2006. Both series of Weir's Way are available on DVD, distributed byAcorn Media UK.
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