How Hayman’s Way was filed away by STV
Actor has no idea why countryside series hasn’t been aired
David Hayman’s reboot of countryside legend Tom Weir’s television series has hit a dead end – after STV shelved the entire show.
The actor loved making Hayman’s Way for the channel after being approached four years ago.
The show was commissioned following the success of On Weir’s Way, in which David retraced Tom’s footsteps from his iconic original.
But it hasn’t seen the light of day and is gathering dust in the channel’s vaults.
The 71-year-old Trial and Retribution star said: “It’s been on the back- burner for about three years, I think, maybe even longer. I’ve never had an explanation from STV about why it hasn’ t been screened.
“Because STV were really pleased with the high viewing figures of On Weir’s Way, they were really excited about showing Hayman’s Way, so not to show it confuses me.”
Hayman made On Weir’s Way to commemorate 100 years since the birth of the climber, writer and broadcaster, who died aged 91 in 2006.
Its success led to STV asking Brendan O’Hara – now an SNP MP for Argyll and Bute – to direct Hayman’s version of the show.
O’Hara said: “We delivered the production in April 2015. We shot the production for seven or eight months.
“It was a big production and the fact you had David Hayman presenting it – a lot of work went in to it.
“A lot of money was invested in it by STV.
“An experienced team worked on it and produced excellent shows. It makes no sense for them not to show it.
“It was my understanding they were going to be broadcast initially in the autumn or winter of 2015 but then I got a message saying it would probably be spring 2016.
“Every time I bump into folk at STV, I say, ‘ What’s happening with the programmes?’
“And they just say, ‘Oh, were still finding a slot for them.’
“I never really got an adequate explanation as to why they were never put out. I’ve no idea why it’s not be aired.”
Weir’s Way ran on STV from 1976 to 1987. The series had a cult following and a bronze statue of him was unveiled on the banks of Loch Lomond at Balmaha in 2014.
Hundreds of fans – who wore a bobble hat just like their hero – attended the ceremony.
STV said: “We’ve worked closely with David on a number of successful programmes and Hayman’s Way will feature in the schedule in the future.”