WATCH - 'Oor Doddie'

A new landmark has been unveiled at BT Murrayfield . . . and it’s already raising a smile with visitors to the home of Scottish Rugby. A statue of “Oor Doddie” – the 61-times capped former Scotland and British & Irish Lions lock Doddie Weir – was produced during the summer as part of the Oor Wullie bucket trail around Scotland. The statue was auctioned for charity – the Archie Foundation, which supports children’s hospitals in Scotland – in Dundee in the Autumn and Graham and Fiona Burke from Edzell, Angus, and John and Fiona Scott from Fearn, near Tain, both families with strong farming connections, made the winning bid for the statue. The two couples wanted Oor Doddie to be on display at BT Murrayfield and this week the official handover took place with the man himself, Doddie Weir, on hand to accept the statue, which will act as a focal point to continue Scottish Rugby’s support for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which aims to find a cure and support research into Motor Neurone Disease. The Oor Doddie statue has been augmented by an additional “Oor Wullie” bucket created by blacksmith, Kev Paxton. Doddie learned almost three years ago that he has the debilitating condition of MND but through his whirlwind energy and engaging personality he continues to fight the illness and let his humour shine in equal measure. Scotland supporters are thrilled that the Oor Doddie is now part of the fabric of BT Murrayfield and features on Scottish Rugby’s stadium tours. Supporter Karen Redpath from Galashiels who had contacted Scottish Rugby keen to see the statue on permanent display at BT Murrayfield said: “Ah that’s just the best news ever,” when she learned it was now here. Graham Burke said: “John, myself and our families are delighted that Doddie, a man who means so much to the rugby and wider community in Scotland, now has this statue at BT Murrayfield. “One of the great things about it is the fact it will make so many people smile!” Unveiling the statute, Doddie Weir said, “What a great gesture from the Scott and Burke families. It is a real privilege to have Oor Doddie at Murrayfield, it certainly made me smile and I hope it gives everyone else as much pleasure. Kev Paxton the blacksmith has added an extra special touch. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible including our friends at Scottish Rugby."