Fragility in Nature, from the Highlands to Kilworth, my Father’s Art - An Exhibition of the Drawings of D.N. Weir.

This exhibition showcases a remarkable collection of wildlife drawings by Hon. Douglas Nigel Weir, generously made available by his daughter, Dr Lucy Weir, an environmental philosopher and writer based in Kilworth.

The third son of the second Viscount Weir of Eastwood, Ayrshire, Hon. Douglas Nigel Weir was an accomplished artist and ornithologist who devoted his life to observing and recording the natural world with extraordinary precision. His passion for wildlife began in childhood after being evacuated during the Second World War, aged four, by his Canadian grandmother to a boarding school in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

Throughout his life, Weir travelled extensively, documenting birds and animals with exceptional scientific accuracy and a keen understanding of their behaviour. His drawings combine meticulous observation with warmth, subtle humour and a deep appreciation of the beauty and fragility of nature. Years spent working in Alaska, together with expeditions through remote wilderness, further strengthened his connection with the wild landscapes and wildlife that inspired his art.

Beyond his artistic achievements, Weir also made an important contribution to conservation. He was involved in the RSPB’s pioneering Operation Osprey, which helped re-establish the osprey in Britain, and was a founding director of the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig.

This exhibition celebrates Hon. Douglas Nigel Weir’s exceptional artistic talent and enduring legacy, inviting visitors to pause, observe and gain a deeper appreciation of the beautiful and fragile natural world that inspired his life’s work.

On-street parking
Rest rooms available in adjoining Adair Hall