Thank you to Bernie Bell for sending these into The Orkney News.

Forthcoming Events

Doors Open: Saturday 13^th and Sunday 14th September at Hall of Clestrain

• Guided tours of the Hall at 10.00,11.00, 12.00 and. 2.00.
• Opportunities to view the inside using a VR camera
• Plans for restoration on view
• Refreshments

‘Rae and Baikie Orkney’s Medical Explorers:  How Edinburgh Doctors Led the British Imperial Century’.

Talk by Professor Wenedell McConnaha, author of Losing Sight of the Shore

Tuesday, 16^th September. King Street Hall, Kirkwall. 7.00 p.m.

For booking online tickets: https://tinyurl.com/wendellJRS For attending in person £5.

‘Franklin, Rae and the North West Passage : the Historical Background’

Monday 29th September 7.00 p.m. EMEC Stromness. For booking online tickets:

https://tinyurl.com/Rosalind1st

‘Franklin & Rae – The Last Link – A Tale of Tragedy and Heroism’

Tuesday September 30^th 7.00 p.m. King Street Hall. Kirkwall. For booking online tickets:  https://tinyurl.com/Rosalind2nd

Both talks by Dr Rosalind Rawnsley, a Franklin descendant. Tickets for attending each talk in person £5.

Dr. Rawnsley will also give the graveside address at the memorial service in St Magnus Cathedral kirkyard at 12 noon on September 30^th.

News in brief:

Oral History Pilot

This was carried out by Dr Colin Elder very successfully. He conducted a number of interviews, which were recorded. They focused on people in Orkney’s connections with Canada, especially the Hudson’s Bay Company. As well as giving JRS a full report, transcripts and video footage, he has suggested further activities which could last for years

Engaging local schoolchildren

JRS Engagement and Learning Co-ordinator, Katie MacLeod, has given some exciting lessons on map-making in schools as well as arranging a visit to Stromness Museum and to the Hall of Clestrain.

All the above activities were delivered through the Fit for the Future project, funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

Scotland Slowly

In June Andrew Appleby and Fiona Gould joined Adventure Canada’s Slowly Scotland

Cruise from Aberdeen to Glasgow as guest speakers. Both gave talks about Hall of Clestrain, Fiona speaking about John Rae’s childhood there and how it prepared him for life in the Arctic, and Andrew talking about the history and archaeology at the Hall.

LDN Architects

LDN Architects have been appointed to carry out an options appraisal and feasibility assessment relating to Hall of Clestrain, and from the results to produce an architectural concept and business plan.

This work is also part of the Fit for the Future Project and funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

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My musings re. John Rae….

The Two Johns – A Personal Perspective

Andrew Appleby’s The Two Johns

Kristyn/Clestrain and the Inuksuk