Doddie Weir (1970-2022)

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of honorary graduate Doddie Weir.

The Former Scotland international rugby star was given an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science for his contribution to the sporting community and charitable fundraising in 2018.

Weir, who won 61 caps for his country, was founder of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which raises funds to aid research into the causes of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and investigate potential cures.

MND is a group of diseases which affect the nerves in the brain and spinal cord that tell muscles what to do.

The former rugby ace announced in 2017 that he had been diagnosed with the condition.

He is survived by his wife Kathy and sons Hamish, Angus and Ben.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Pamela Gillies CBE FRSE said: "Doddie was quite literally an inspirational gentle giant of a man. So very intellectually able, warm and funny, he was determined to understand the science behind the terrible disease that is MND and raise funds to research solutions.

"Amazingly, the scientific research he championed is making progress, but sadly not in time to help dear Doddie. He will be sorely missed by so many. My heartfelt condolences to his equally exceptional family.”