TOXIC TRIBUTE TO TOM

SCOTTISH climber, author, broadcaster, photographer and environmentalist Tom Weir is remembered on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The Springburn, Glasgow-born personality, was part of the post-war Himalayan expedition, and in 1952, was one of the first to explore the previously closed mountains of Nepal, east of Kathmandu. Mr Weir died aged 95 in 2006.
Lothians-based songwriter Sandy Wright and his Toxic Cowboys perform Sandy’s song about Weir, whose older sister Molly was a well-known Scottish actress, during their set at The Acoustic Music Centre, St Bride’s to August 29 (11:00).
The popular group launch their biggest ever nationwide tour after their extended run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The band are drawn from Orkney, Forfar and Edinburgh and will feature songs from their recently-released, acclaimed album, The Songs of Sandy Wright, during their Fringe gig.
An appearance at the city’s Corn Exchange with Eddie Reader and Chris Dreever follows in January before by the 15-city tour of Britain including Liverpool and London.
The band includes: Edinburgh-based Ian Stoddart who appeared in the celebrated film released in 2000 called “Chocolat” playing saucepans for Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp.
Orkney-born Sarah MacFadyen is the fiddle player with Dave Rattray from Forfar – a content marketing specialist by day – on guitar.
Joel Sanderson from Edinburgh is on bass and cello while multi-instrumentalist Sandy Wright from Gorebridge, Midlothian, completes the band.
Sandy was given his first recording contract when he was 59 and he was nominated in the 2009 Scottish Trad Awards.
Sandy said: “My song about Tom was performed by the band Aberfeldy and he was a huge name in Scotland through his TV show Weir’s Way.
“His sister, Molly, was also a TV personality and Tom was accomplished in so many areas.
“He was an environmentalist and won the John Muir Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of that and it is only fitting that he is remembered on the world stage.”