The Future?
Click on the windows and door that are framed in red to explore the future
Hall of Clestrain in Orkney.
What does the Future hold for Clestrain ?
We believe that the Hall of Clestrain has a really exciting and vibrant future as an internationally
renowned visitor centre. Towards achieving this, Project Officer, Sandra Deans has been working closely
with the Trustees despite all the issues caused by COVID-19. As a result we are now able to publicise
the initial proposals and ideas for the future of the Hall.
The designs you see are not final of course, but ideas based on what we would like and hope to achieve
should we get the funding we need – and I am sure you will see from these proposals that this is not
going to be insignificant.
Which means we need all the help we can get and if you can offer support believe me it will be very
gratefully received. We all feel privileged to be part of this project and hope that you will too. We would
love to feel that John Rae would himself be proud of what we are doing, so please – please – if you can
help and support us, we would love to hear from you.
Here is what Sandra our very hard working Project Officer says:
The Hall of Clestrain Vision
“By 2025 The Hall of Clestrain will be an internationally renowned visitor centre sharing the true story and
ethos of John Rae and Orkney’s key role in Scotland’s past, present and future connection with Arctic
exploration and discovery.”
Project Manager Sandra Deans tells us the inside story…
With several failed attempts at sourcing funding to save the Hall of Clestrain, I am the first to admit this
project was never going to be easy however with the unprecedented events over the last 6 months, where
we have been engulfed by uncertainties surrounding the COVID19 virus and its associated restrictions, its
proven to be even more challenging.
I must congratulate the Trustees on taking such a proactive approach, which has not only allowed the
project to maintain full momentum but has ensured major advances in design and use, even during this
extremely difficult period. Thank goodness for online technology. Microsoft TEAMS has been embraced by
the board, allowing trustees to hold meetings online and remain actively involved in project development
through regular online collaboration with the consultants, as well as myself.
Over recent years the JRS has demonstrated a dynamic and successful track record with 2018 seeing the
purchase of the Hall of Clestrain, following a phenomenally successful fund-raising campaign, and latterly
making the building wind and watertight. The employment of the project manager followed by the
purchase and installation of a temporary visitor centre in 2019. All of which has been successfully interspersed
by numerous events, activities, outreach with schools’ educational resources (John Rae boxes), culminating
in the development of an online consultation survey earlier this year.
This along with the extraordinary commitment shown by JRS volunteers, extremely generous JRS donations,
and lastly the financial and peer support of the Architectural Heritage Fund, Co-op Big Pay-out, Cuminga
Trust and the Orkney Islands Council with their Community Development Fund, has enabled the Board to
take truly ‘giant strides’ in progressing the planned Hall development.
We were extremely fortunate to have been able to commission John Sanders of Simpson & Brown – Heritage
consultants and architects (Edinburgh), a true Hall of Clestrain enthusiast, to produce a conservation
management report. Luckily, John was able to travel to Orkney to assess the Hall and speak directly with the
trustees before the lock down commenced in March 2020.
Then in April, from a small but powerful group of tenders, Rob Robinson of Heritage Consulting (Edinburgh)
was contracted to carry out a full options appraisal and summary feasibility report, working in association
with Simpson & Brown who were employed to produce the architectural aspects of the options appraisal
along with associate costings by Angus Simpson of Ralf Ogg surveyors (Perth).
All the consultants work was closely interlinked, and they have worked well together, resulting in the
considered and detailed information provided to date.
With the production of a robust business plan, fundamental to most funding applications, the JRS is well
positioned to apply for both Historic Environment Scotland’s Repair Grant and the National Lottery Heritage
Fund, once they open their doors to applications later this year.
It is with your support and financial commitment that these advances have been possible. We hope you find
the content of the attached reports consistent with the perceived aims of the John Rae Society and would
welcome your constructive feedback.
Join us…embrace the past to shape the future!
Sandra
If you would like to help us restore this fine building and turn it into an award winning Events Venue
either contact us on info@johnraesociety.com or visit our web site at https://johnraesociety.com
If you would like to donate to our project then you can use our JustGiving page at
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/JRS-Funds-Needed
Or raise money by taking part in the John Rae Callenge
Initial design documents by Simpson & Brown
Note these are proposed ideas for grant application and
may not be the final designs.
Project Managers Report
by Sandra Deans
Initial proposal Report by Rob Robinson
Note these are proposed ideas for grant application and
may change.
Go back to how
the Hall is today