Coming Soon – The Hall of Clestrain

Yesterday, 29th March, The Orkney News had the opportunity to hear about the exciting plans the John Rae Society (JRS) have for developing the Hall of Clestrain, childhood home of Arctic explorer Dr John Rae. Andrew Appleby, President of the JRS took us on a tour of the inside and outside of the building. Orcadian…

theorkneynews

March 30, 2024

1–2 minutes

Arctic, Canada, Dr John Rae, exploration, Hall of Clestrain, Hudson’s Bay Company, North West Passage, Orkney

Andrew Appleby standing at the base of the stone stairway on the outside of the building

Andrew Appleby, President of the JRS took us on a tour of the inside and outside of the building. Orcadian film maker Martin Laird was there to record this fascinating interview which we will share with our readers soon.

But here’s a taster of some of the images I took.

The large house from the end of the path with its asbestos covered roof and muddy tracks. sheep graze on the grass

on the first floor where there are large windows. Two of the ones in the image are bricked over. The remains of a fireplace is blocked in. The walls are covered in green slime. The rafters are exposed

remains of a metal ornate handrail at the top of the stone spiral stairs the walls are covered in green slime

the stone spiral staircase from its base

looking up the stone spiral staircase from its base to the remains of the metal handrail at the top

The view from the top level window up the track towards the main Orphir Stromness road

The Hall of Clestrain with the plaque describing it as the childhood home of Arctic explorer Dr John Rae

Fiona Grahame

One response to “Coming Soon – The Hall of Clestrain”

berniebell1955

March 30, 2024 at 9:09 am

I’ve never seen the wrought iron (?) stair railing, as I can’t get up the stairs! So – Thank you Fiona!

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