Motion S5M-16553: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 25/03/2019

Expedition Team Retraces Steps of Dr John Rae 

That the Parliament congratulates the four-man expedition team that is making its final preparations before setting out to retrace the steps of the Orcadian Arctic explorer, Dr John Rae; understands that the Canada-based Scot, David Reid, will lead the expedition along with the filmmaker, Gary Tutte, fellow Scot, Richard Smith, and Frank Wolf; further understands that the group will trek 400 miles from Naujaat (Repulse Bay) in Canada across Booth Peninsula to Rae Strait, the stretch of water named after Dr Rae; hopes that this ambitious expedition, covering the same route completed by Dr Rae in 1854, will help raise public awareness and inspire many more people to support the fundraising efforts of the John Rae Society in Orkney, which is looking to restore Dr Rae’s birthplace at the Hall of Clestrain in Orphir; recognises that the quartet is due to begin the 40-day journey in April 2019, hauling 90kg sledges for up to nine hours each day; wishes all four explorers the very best with their expedition and a safe return, and looks forward to the restoration of the Hall of Clestrain in due course.

Supported by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, Joan McAlpine, Annie Wells, Bill Kidd, Colin Beattie, Gordon Lindhurst, Donald Cameron, Tavish Scott, Fulton MacGregor, Richard Lyle

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