The John Rae Society board of trustees are delighted that Orkney Islands Council (OIC), through the Community Development Fund (CDF), are supporting our efforts at this pivotal stage in our quest to renovate and develop the Hall of Clestrain in Orphir, the birthplace of Dr John Rae.

Councillors at today’s (Wednesday, May 6) special general meeting gave their backing to the John Rae Society request for grant assistance of 50 per cent of the total eligible costs, up to a maximum sum of £14,730, meaning the full funding package of £29,460 has now been secured.

The Society is contributing £10,830 of its own resources mainly from donations by the public, towards the project and has been awarded £3,900 of grant funding support from the Architectural Heritage Fund.

CDF was identified as the perfect partner to help the Society develop their project. The release of this essential match funding by the OIC enables the Society to commission heritage consultants to analyze project viability and assess conservation management, allowing for informed decisions to be made around the final project direction and allowing further applications to  large grant funders such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Scotland Repair Fund, both highly competitive funding bodies.  In assisting the Society, the Orkney Islands Council has ensured that this project is developed as robustly as possible in its early stages, rendering it with the best chances of succeeding in this arena.

Thanks to the OIC’s Infrastructure and Development Committee members and the Economic Development team, the John Rae Society can now maintain the growing project momentum, keeping it on track through these unprecedented times, and potentially attracting large scale inward investment within the next few years.

But we still need your donations to raise the extra funds needed, don’t forget you can do this by going to our Just Giving page