His father was a remarkable rugby talent, securing an impressive 61 caps while representing Scotland. He also participated in the 1997 British and Irish Lions tour, marking a decade-long career at the pinnacle of the sport.
Currently, one of the late Doddie Weir’s sons has expressed it’s time to make a significant move forward as he gears up to lead the Scotland team in a fundraising endeavor aimed at supporting research into the disease that took his father’s life.
At 24, Hamish Weir has been appointed as the captain for Scotland in Doddie Aid 2026. This annual fundraising event, established by his father’s friend and ex-Scotland rugby captain Rob Wainwright, invites widespread participation.
Launching on January 1, the challenge motivates individuals across the UK and internationally to accumulate miles through various activities—whether it be swimming, cycling, running, playing golf, walking dogs, or simply enjoying the outdoors—to generate funds for motor neurone disease (MND) research.
Scottish rugby icon Weir passed away in November 2022 at the age of 52, following a six-year struggle with the illness.
Before his passing, Weir initiated the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation in 2017, dedicated to advancing research efforts for MND.
Speaking ahead of the match Mr Weir, 24, said: ‘This feels like my time to step up, not just as Doddie’s son, but as someone who wants to carry on what he started.
‘The Foundation is deeply personal to me, my mum, my brothers – it sits deep within us.
Doddie Weir died in November 2022 aged 52 after a six-year battle with motor neurone disease
Hamish Weir wants to continue his father’s legacy through the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation
Scotland legend Weir played 61 times for his country
‘Keeping that connection alive really matters. If we can help in any small way, we have to do it.’
Hamish has followed in his father’s footsteps playing first-team rugby for Melrose in the Scottish Borders alongside brothers Angus, 23, and Ben, 21.
He also told how he did not realise how well known his father was until he revealed his diagnosis.
News of the diagnosis was made public on July 20 2017 while the family were travelling to New Zealand, when Hamish was aged 16.
He said: ‘I don’t think I truly understood how big a figure Dad was until his diagnosis went public. I was 16, on the way to New Zealand, and as soon as I got signal as we got off the flight my phone just blew up.
‘It was overwhelming and a bit scary at that age – that’s when I realised how many people he’d touched. The impact was way beyond rugby.’
He also remembers the moment later that year when the Weir family walked out at Murrayfield before Scotland’s Test match against New Zealand.
It was recently voted by fans as the greatest moment in Murrayfield’s 100-year history.
Hamish said: ‘It’s humbling to think how big an impact that moment has had on so many people. When the applause hit us, it felt like being struck in the face. Even now, it still gives me goosebumps. It was the first time I’d ever seen my dad emotional.’
He added: ‘MND has robbed us of a lifetime of memories, but that moment is one my brothers – Ben and Angus – and I will always hold on to.’
The young rugby player said he feels he has been given a platform and will use it to raise awareness.
He said: ‘I know how horrible and cruel this illness is, and I don’t want any other family to go through what we did. I’ll always laugh and joke – that’s in Dad’s DNA – but there’s a serious goal here. We want a world free of MND.
‘Get signed up. Then get someone else signed up. Two, three, four people – that’s how it starts.
‘Once you’re in that team environment, it becomes infectious. That’s how we’ll keep Dad’s legacy alive – and hopefully one day find a cure.’
