Caithness professional rugby player Tom McGee remembers Scotland legend Doddie Weir
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A former rugby union professional from Caithness has recalled with affection his memories of Scottish and British Lions great Doddie Weir.
Tom McGee was speaking at the weekend in the wake of Scottish and British Lions great Doddie Weir losing his fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Mr McGee said the 52-year-old was a ‘huge personality’ who left an indelible mark on the game and through his tireless campaigning for research into the disease.
The pair were briefly teammates, with Mr McGee joining Border Reivers in 2004/05 just as Mr Weir was ending his career with the side.
Mr McGee, Wick-based operations manager with New Wave Foods, said the 61-time Scotland cap was a colossus of the game in stature and character.
“I came across him a few times when we were players,” he said.
“He was such a huge personality – he would light up the room by his presence.
“He was such a nice guy and always took time to speak to the supporters and volunteers at the club.
“He was obviously an exceptionally gifted rugby player but there was no ego there.”
Thurso-born Mr McGee, 43, briefly played for Caithness before joining Boroughmuir.
The prop turned professional after joining the Reivers after which he had a spell with Leeds as well as touring with Scotland A.
Doddie Weir visited Caithness RFC’s base in Thurso in the summer of 2018, a year after being diagnosed with MND.
He and rugby coach Richie Gray, a former Borders team-mate, had been taking part in a 1350-mile non-stop charity drive from Lands End to John O’Groats in a classic Mitsubishi MK1 Shogun.
Weir and Mr Gray spent over an hour chatting and posing for pictures with Caithness junior and senior players, officials and supporters.
A £1125 donation from Caithness RFC pushed the appeal very close to its £10,000 target.
