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Motion · S6M-14079 · 9 Aug 2024

John Rae Society Secures National Lottery Funding, Ahead of Explorer’s 211th Birthday

Lodged by Liam McArthur (Scottish Liberal Democrats) Standard Motion 21 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament congratulates the John Rae Society, which is dedicated to celebrating the life and achievements of renowned Arctic explorer, Dr John Rae, on being awarded £248,600 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund; believes that John Rae, who was born in Orphir, Orkney, in 1813, and who is buried in St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, was one of the greatest Victorian Arctic explorers; recognises Rae’s extensive exploration of Canada, including his role as a pioneer explorer of the Northwest Passage; notes that the John Rae Society was established in 2013 in Orkney to commemorate his life and achievements, and to save his birthplace and childhood home, Hall of Clestrain; understands that this grant will fund the Society’s Fit for the Future resilience project, securing a long-term future for Hall of Clestrain, a building of great architectural importance in its own right, and that the Society aims to undertake research to better understand both the history of the Hall and of Orkney’s ties to Canada and the Hudson Bay Company; notes that the Society hopes that this project will deliver vital tourism, economic, learning and wellbeing opportunities to Orkney in coming years; marks 30 September 2024 as John Rae’s 211th birthday, and gives recognition on this occasion to his decades-long pioneering efforts to explore Canada and the Arctic Coast; commends the John Rae Society for what it sees as its impressive efforts to give due recognition to Rae’s work and preserve his historic ties to Orkney, and wishes it all the best in the delivery of its Fit for the Future project in the coming years.

Supporters (21)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.