Weir, formerly of Melrose, Newcastle Falcons and the defunct Border Reivers, is a recognised speaker on the after dinner circuit, and has been voted the tops in Britain.

“It is a great honour,” said the former forward and 'Gentle Giant’, who pipped among others Austin Healy and Ben Kay for the award.

“Former winner Martin Bayfield did not stand this year,” said a modest Weir, who played 61 times for Scotland, including three World Cups, in seven years and survived a horrific knee injury on the British Lions tour to South Africa in 1997.

The MBN awards were made at a recent dinner, given for Doddie’s talk aspirations on his career as well as his other interests such as horses.

Weir, a communications director with Hutchison Environment, a waste water management company, recently gave a talk at Yarm School, near Middlesbrough, where a nephew is a pupil.

His speaking exploitations have taken him around the world…among them Houston in Texas, South Africa, Nairobi, and Kenya as well as places in between such as the Isle of Man. “I really enjoy it,” he said.

His most recent talk was a 'double act’ with ex-fellow Scotland star, Gary Armstrong, at Lauder WRI.

Work and family commitments means that he is no longer involved on the field, but takes a keen interest in the game with brothers, Tom and Chris, still playing at Gala.

He retired from playing in 2004, but has been known, too, to appear at the Melrose Veterans’ tournament ahead of the Melrose Sevens.

His passion for the game is second to none…and has now transferred his talent on the field into the dinner circuit to add to his charity work.