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Showing posts from December, 2020

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