Veteran broadcaster Tom Weir dies
91, so he lived to a good age.
Tom Weir's a bit of a hero of mine, gotta admit. Weir's Way was one of those programs that I was always aware of when I was wee, but never really discovered until I used to watch the repeats at three in the morning as a stoned student. I've built up a bit of proper respect for him since then.
Tom was one of those rosy-cheeked old men you always find in one of two situations; fording streams in their green wellies or telling fireside tales with a wee dram in-hand. A kindly grandpa who could race you up a mountain and stand at the top laughing at you.
Weir's Way was a lovely program. A real document of Scotland the way it increasingly isn't. Slow paced and narrated with Tom's great storybook voice, he crossed the country telling you all about the history of the places he trekked through, stopping in crofts and hamlets, coaxing interviews out of introspective fishermen and peat-diggers.
Watching it makes me want to smoke a pipe and hear something crackle in the background, or maybe listen to the plorp of Salmon on the surface of the water.
Couple of months ago, cube's paper gave out a free best-of DVD (thanks again, cube!) which alerted me to the fact that Weir's Way is now collected on DVD. Happy day! Not sure if this also includes the nautically-themed Weir's Aweigh too, but I think I'm going to be getting this very soon.
Cheers Tom! Munching oatcakes and sipping a malt in your honour, sir! |
