Flying winger: Osprey chick named after rugby hero Doddie Weir takes flight

Rugby hero Doddie Weir has taken to the wing after an osprey chick named in his honour took its first flight yesterday.

The Scotland legend, 50, was honoured in a poll this week following the arrival of three chicks on the nest at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in Lochaber.

Osprey Doddie was the first of the trio to take flight when he launched himself off the nest at 6.12am yesterday.

His siblings have been called Vera and Captain after the names amassed 50% of the votes from more than 10,000 people who took part in the Woodland Trust Scotland poll.

The two younger chicks, named after the late Forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn and fundraising hero Captain Sir Tom Moore, are expected to take flight in the coming days.

George Anderson, of Woodland Trust Scotland, said: “Doddie Weir was an inspirational lock in his rugby playing days, but the osprey named after him has taken naturally to the wing!”