Donate

There are two ways your kind contributions can help us. You can help fund our repair and restoration project to Save Hall of Clestrain or you can help the society keep going by funding our day-to-day running costs. Find our more below.

Save Hall of Clestrain

Derelict and on the Buildings at Risk Register our current priority is the Save Hall of Clestrain.

The Save Hall of Clestrain project will restore this internationally significant heritage for future generations to enjoy and benefit from. Its objectives are:

To restore the Category A Listed Hall and remove it from the Buildings at Risk Register
To increase public access via a new road
To increase awareness and understanding of the cultural significance of John Rae and Hall of Clestrain through improved public engagement and learning programmes
To increase visitor numbers to c.20,000 each year
To increase income and the sustainability of the Society
To develop the Society’s experience of project delivery.

Due to start on site in summer 2025 and complete in summer 2026, the project comprises urgent repairs to rescue and restore the Hall, making it wind and watertight and enabling it to dry out ahead of Project 2:

Removal of the corrugated sheet roof and reinstatement of the original Orkney slates to protect the wall heads, roof structure and Georgian joinery surviving in the interior
Conservation repair and replacement of interior timbers, alongside essential structural works
Conservation repairs to walls and a new coat of lime harl (Scottish thrown render) applied according to the original specification and design
Reinstatement of the original 1760s pediment
Installation of new window grilles to ensure good airflow to assist in drying out the building
Temporary power, safe access works, and lighting to all levels and stairs will support greater access, enabled by a new access road.

YOUR donation is incredibly important. Every penny you donate to this will go towards our goal of preserving this important building. We will keep the website updated with progress.

Scroll to the bottom of this page to donate – remember to mark your donation as SAVE HALL OF CLESTRAIN. Thank you.

The John Rae Society General Fund

In order that we can keep the society running we need to pay our brilliant project manager, put on events, pay insurances and other bills and keep up with many attendant costs. These are so hard to fundraise for from major funders. So anything you can donate towards keeping the Society going is very much appreciated. Donate below and mark your donation ‘General Funds’

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND SUPPORT
The JRS Board of Trustees