A short ceremony took place at the graveside of Arctic Explorer, Dr John Rae, on the anniversary of his birthday, 30 September.
John Rae grew up at Clestrain House, Orphir, and members of the John Rae Society have a fundraising campaign to restore and reuse the building. It will tell not only the story of the Orcadian explorer, but also Orkney’s links to the Arctic and North America.
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Those attending the ceremony at St Magnus Cathedral Kirkyard were led by a piper to Dr Rae’s grave where Dr Rosalind Rawnsley gave a short speech and sprinkled a libation over the grave.
Dr Rawnsley was in Orkney to give two talks hosted by the JRS about Rae, Franklin, and the search for the North West passage.
The Orkney News recorded the event which you can watch here:
Fiona Grahame