Ross Sutherland president John Scott says Doddie Weir's legacy is just beginning as club pays tribute to Scottish rugby legend
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Ross Sutherland Rugby Club took the opportunity to pay tribute to Scottish legend Doddie Weir before their youth games last Sunday.
Caithness' under-14s and under-16s were visiting Invergordon, and together the squads lined up in the shape of Weir's iconic number five, as well as holding a minute's applause before kick off.
The club have a close connection with Weir and the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, having received a visit from the man himself a few years ago to collect funds raised for the charity.
Just last month, too, Stags mini Charlie Mackenzie joined the Weir family to present the matchday ball at Scotland's Autumn International fixture against New Zealand at Murrayfield.
Ross Sutherland president John Scott does not intend to let that link go any time soon, saying in Invergordon at least, fundraising efforts have only just begun.
“I think this is the springboard for us as a club to think about doing something again next year as part of our centenary celebrations," Scott explained.
“It’s really important that we all pick up that baton collectively to keep raising awareness and funding to fight such a cruel illness like MND.
“We must make sure that his legacy lives on.
"It’s not for us to leave it to those in the public eye further south. We can all do our bit.
“As a club we'll really be backing and supporting Doddie Aid in January, which will be a great chance for everybody to get out and get some exercise.
“Then later in the year we might do some specific fundraising for MND and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
“I said to the 16 and 14-year-olds at the game we had last weekend that as they get older, they will realise just how big of an impact Doddie Weir has had – not just in rugby.
“The real legacy is what he’s done since then, and how to behave as a human being in the face of proper adversity."
In case any extra motivation is needed, Scott has a personal link with Weir too.
“When I was a first-year student at agricultural college in Edinburgh, he was in third year," Scott recalled.
“All the non-academic stuff, Doddie was all over it – whether it be sporting or socialising, he was great fun on that side of things.
“I knew him, maybe not particularly well but he was at college with me and I bumped into him over the years.
“He always looked out for you no matter who you were, he was a really caring guy and of course he always had that farming connection to rural areas like ours.
“I blethered to him when he dropped into the clubhouse, as I normally would, and he met quite a few of the club members.
“It was great to see him at the time, and he was always there and supportive no matter who you were.”
