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Scapa Flow Central to Military Planning for 'High North' - A Call or a Scream from the Past?

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 Scapa Flow Central to Military Planning for 'High North';  A Call or a Scream from the Past?                                                                                                                            Surgeon Commander Fairman 'Rack' Rackham-Mann                                                                                                        (1872-1943) NRO, MC2716 G12/13 It is strange how sometimes events seem to collide, almost as if an unseen presence had a hand in it; something of a synchronicity. This is one of those rare events that one can't but assume is anything other than a collision of the past with the present, for some purpose - But what? What could past events teach us about the present ?  Is this synchronous event a call of support, or a scream of warning, warning of events that we have already experienced within the living memory of some from reoccurring? Or, is it a call of support to be forewarned against events that may unfol
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Excavations at Clestrain Hall - The John Rae Society

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  Excavations at Clestrain Hall, Orkney   Graemsey Island taken from the steps of Clestrain Hall at the end of the 2020 excavation season. In May 2020, despite COVID-19 restrictions, we had the opportunity to help excavate the courtyard around the rear of Clestrain Hall which is a part of the overall £4 million renovation project being  undertaken by the John Rae Society.   Clestrain Hall was the childhood home of the famous explorer John Rae (30/09/1813-22/07/1893).  John Rae  was born at the Hall of Clestrain on 30th September 1813, one of nine children born to John Rae and Margaret Glen Campbell. His father, also called John, was the estate factor for the Lord Advocate of Scotland, Lord Armadale (William Honeyman) who resided in Edinburgh. As a young boy John Rea, as was the custom for young boys of his background in the 19th century, spent time hunting and shooting in the hills around the Hall or sailing in the family's boat.  His love of outdoor pursuits would serve John Rea w
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Alice Hyde (nee Lee) The Miss Pictures Girl 1919

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                                                 Alice Hyde (aka Lavender Lee) 18/07/1894- 07/1993                                                                       The Pictures Girl  It is not often that someone gets to research a topic that sits firmly within the cultural history field as an archaeologist, more used to field excavations,  but I have been doubly honoured.   Firstly, as an opportunity to diversify my business interests and secondly to learn new skills in the process. This project started out, as sometimes projects do, as a short exercise I set my daughter to explore her roots for an open project set by her school.  It facilitated a means to give her a sense of place and pride after several incidents of bullying which left her soul bruised and her sense of worth in her boots.  The more we researched, the more questions formed, and soon, we both realised that this could become an excellent subject matter for a book.  So after a great deal of encouragement, we embarke
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