Born 4 July 1970, Edinburgh
Died 26 November 2022, Blainslie, aged 52
With the recent death of the one and only Doddie Weir, Scotland has lost a much loved sporting hero, a remarkable champion for Motor Neurone Disease and a truly wonderful man. He was a national treasure, a status earned through a combination of his achievements as an international rugby player, and the admiration and affection he attracted for the uncomplaining way he dealt with his MND diagnosis, and the marvellous work of his charity, My Name’5 Doddie foundation.
A striking fair haired, initially skinny figure, at 6’6” tall, his on field image was enhanced by legendary commentator Bill McLaren’s description of him as being “on the charge like a mad giraffe”. But he had athleticism aplenty, and was an outstanding lineout player blessed with superb hands. Off the field, his trademark ready smile, gregarious down to earth personality and sense of humour, along with a penchant for outrageous tartan suits, endeared him to the wider public here and beyond, through media appearances and speaking engagements.
Who can forget how during a televised media training exercise, before going with the British and Irish Lions on their 1997 tour of South Africa, he responded to an accusation of being in a night club beyond curfew with the deadpan two word response, “Mistaken identity!”, much to everyone’s amusement. While sometimes he may have encouraged a ‘big daft laddie’ demeanour, he was deadly serious on the rugby pitch during a lengthy career, which straddled the amateur and professional eras, winning 61 caps for Scotland and a place on that Lions tour. Later, when afflicted by MND, he demonstrated that same serious resolve as he challenged the dreadful condition, determined to lead as full a life as possible.
George Wilson Weir was born to parents John, known as Jock and Margaret nee Houston, known as Nanny. The eldest of four children, he was brought up along with Kirsty, Thomas and Christopher, on the family farm at Cortleferry, near Stow, in the Borders. He first attended the local Fountainhall primary school with a total roll of 26 pupils before aged 11 going to the far bigger Stewart’s Melville College in Edinburgh, which required some adjustment.
Soon he began making his mark at rugby, although his first sporting love was horses, competing successfully in various equestrian activities. His involvement with horses resulted in his future rugby career, when a fellow member of the Buccleuch Pony Club suggested to a 14 year old Doddie that he train with Melrose Rugby Club colts on Sundays, initiating a lifelong association with the club.
However it would be fair to observe that his initial rugby formation essentially took place at Stewart’s Melville, where he enjoyed two successful years in the 1st XV, gaining selection for Edinburgh Schools in the first of those seasons and for Scottish Schools in the latter, when he played against all the Home Nations including France and also against New Zealand during a memorable tour there. His talent at school even extended to notching crucial conversions in important matches!
Doddie described the New Zealand tour afterwards as ‘the best five weeks of my life, living with and getting on with “26 loonies and 5 administrators”, as he put it. The squad played some eight matches with Doddie, figuring in most despite a disappointing first game resulting in his being threatened to be sent home if he didn’t improve. That he did, with the climax coming in a Test against NZ Schools, a 36-10 defeat, but a score which he felt flattered the winners. During the tour he and teammates were billeted with local rugby families, an experience he thoroughly enjoyed and one which for him underlined just how ‘rugby mad’ New Zealand was.
In his final year at Stewart’s Melville he also demonstrated his all round athleticism at the Annual Sports winning the shot putt and second places for long jump, hurdles and discus. As well as his sporting success he was a highly regarded pupil, a prefect, described by his Housemaster Mr. Richardson as “ a very friendly, pleasant and helpful person who cares about others and shows it……we are immensely proud of ‘George’ here…as the kind of pupil who brings credit to the school…..”
Although his father had played for Gala as his brothers would do, Doddie instead joined their close rivals Melrose, where he would come under the influence of Jim Telfer, the man whom he principally credits for his rugby success.
Two years after his Scottish Schools tour, he had to pinch himself as he again toured New Zealand, this time as a member of the full Scotland squad.
After leaving school he undertook an HND in agriculture in Edinburgh and began playing senior rugby with Melrose, earning a Scotland ‘B’ cap in 1989 before making his full international debut in 1990 aged 20 against Argentina with his final 61st cap coming against France in March 2000, most at 2nd row forward.
At club level highlights included winning five League Championships with Melrose and a coveted Melrose ‘7’s medal for Co Optimists, while with Newcastle in the professional era he won an English League title and the national Cup competition, the latter as captain, ending his career with Borders Reivers. Doddie also represented the Barbarians six times.
Internationally, he played in three World Cups, including a semi final in 1991 against England and a quarter final against New Zealand in 1995, when he became the first Scot to score two tries against the All Blacks. He shared in the last Five Nations title won by Scotland but his Lions tour was cruelly cut short when badly injured in his third match by foul play, having been considered a “real contender” for a Test place.
Although totally committed to the professional game, his heart was probably more in the amateur era, when rugby was not so all consuming. In 2019, he was awarded an O.B.E. by Queen Elizabeth for services to rugby, MND research and the Borders community. In 2020 he was inducted into Scottish Rugby’s Hall of Fame and in 2021 appointed Hon. Joint President of his beloved Melrose. Once retired from playing he was director of a family waste management company and later operated a farm near Blainslie in the Borders.
At Xmas 2016, Doddie was diagnosed with MND, with a probable maximum life expectancy of two years. It is testament to his fortitude and mindset in challenging the condition that he lived considerably longer. He was appalled that there was no cure for the condition and disappointed when diagnosed about the lack of support available for sufferers. With the invaluable help of several rugby friends and others he set up his charitable Foundation, which so far has raised over £8 million through myriad activities nationwide to progress research and help attain his goal of “ Together we’re going to get a cure.” Campaigning activities have persuaded the government to set aside £50 million for research.
His pragmatic approach to dealing with his plight –“you’ve just got to get on with things”-while heralding the cause of others has earned widespread praise. His wife Kathy, whom he married in July 1997 and their three sons, Hamish, Angus and Ben, along with extended family members and friends have been hugely supportive. Doddie is survived by his wife, sons, father and brothers.
Written by ESMS former pupil Jack Davidson