Destiny……Another Link In The Chain….From Kilmartin Museum….
by Bernie Bell - 08:54 on 29 March 2024
Destiny……
Someone I know is working on something about the murder of St. Magnus. I wrote the following to him…
“What do I see when I think of Magnus? I see a lad, playing in the rock pools at the Brough of Birsay. When I think of St. Magnus, I see a man, kneeling – forgiving….
https://theorkneynews.scot/2019/10/31/forgiveness/
Magnus didn’t want to be in charge – he followed what he believed to be his destiny. Then, someone who did want to be in charge had him killed. He was killed for something that he hadn’t asked for.
Maybe Martin Luther King would have preferred to be a local church Pastor? Or Jesus might have preferred to be a carpenter?
There’s always the delete button – have just realised the irony of that statement!”
https://theorkneynews.scot/2018/03/26/easter-musings/
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Another Link In The Chain…
…of information about John Rae…
I received the following from the John Rae Society…
“Below is a letter from the JRS chair, Cheryl Chapman. As you will see we have been notified of a chart signed by John Rae coming up for auction on April 4th. Because we email members by area, so far we have notified only the Overseas and Scotland members. Their response has been phenomenal! To date donations exceed £1600. But although the guide price given by the auctioneers is up to £800, we believe the sale price will be much higher. Also, the Head of the Orkney Museum Service has not been able to secure the grant of £600 which he requested. We are, therefore, not closing the appeal, partly in the spirit of equity and partly because we want to instruct the bidder to go to the maximum if required. In the event of an unsuccessful bid or the amount raised exceeding the sale price, we will discuss with donors what should happen to this.
Dear Members,
We are getting in touch with an urgent request for donations to help us secure for Orkney a rare North Polar Admiralty map annotated by Dr John Rae that is coming up for auction on April 4th.
On the map, Rae’s marginal note states: 'Here the hydrographer of the Admiralty took 10 or 15 miles from my discoveries so as to make Collinson's appear the farthest. I was at this place a year (in 1851) before Collinson. [signed] J Rae'. Rae's discoveries are marked in black ink; his 'track on coast / previously explored' is marked in red.
More information and pictures are available here: RAE, John (1813-1893, Explorer and Surgeon) Historical North Polar Map - North West Passage. in - Cheffins Fine Art
The top estimate is £800 and we want to put in a commission bid of £900. With fees this will come to a total of around £1200. We are working with Orkney Islands Council which is applying to grantmakers for some support, but we need to raise £600 towards the cost.
The map would be stored in Orkney’s excellent Archive and the John Rae Society would be able to borrow it and eventually hold it when we have The Hall of Clestrain restored.
In the meantime we could have digital copies.
We would be so grateful if you could offer your support. We believe this map belongs to Orkney, and tells a key part of the John Rae story, so we want to do all we can to retain it and eventually display it.
If you can help with a donation please go to this page on the John Rae Society webpage Donations – John Rae Society and in the ‘add comments’ box mark it ‘Donation for Admiralty map’. Or send a cheque to: The John Rae Society, Fursbreck Pottery, Harray, Orkney KW17 2JR and write on the back ‘Admiralty Map’.
We will keep you updated with progress and let’s hope we can secure the map for Orkney.
If you have questions please get in touch with Fiona Gould, membership secretary.
Cheryl Chapman
Orkney Development Manager, IDD
VisitScotland, The Travel Centre, West Castle Street, Kirkwall, KW15 1GU
M: 07384 249973 |
E: cheryl.chapman@visitscotland.com "
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From Kilmartin Museum….
“Kilmartin Museum will reopen on Thursday 25th April 2024 at 10am
We are sorry not to be able to re-open the Museum sooner after the planned winter closure. Like many major capital projects, the new Museum building is experiencing some teething problems: the heating system which is of crucial importance to keeping our fragile artefacts safe is undergoing an overhaul. This means we had to take some of the artefacts in our care off site.
We are working closely with our contractors and making good progress. We are committed to providing the very best experience to all our visitors and so we are delighted to be able to re-open the Museum on 25 April with all our world-class artefacts back on site. You’ll have seen that we have been advertising for new staff and we are pleased to announce that we have a new front of house team on board, ready to welcome visitors.
In the meantime, make sure to visit our Learning Centre to experience the touring St Columba exhibition (open daily 1st – 23rd April, 11am – 3pm), take part in our in-person and digital talks – and of course visit the newly opened Glen Bistro to refuel after a walk exploring the stunning Kilmartin Glen!
The brand-new Glen Bistro has already opened its doors, serving delicious homemade food, fresh cream cakes, warm scones and fabulous coffees. We are delighted to welcome Chef Sarah to Kilmartin Glen and wish her every success with her new business.
Currently the Bistro is open Wednesday –Sunday, check with Chef Sarah for her opening times. Please pop in and sample her amazing food!
We are delighted to announce that your 2023 Friends Pass is valid for the whole of the 2024 season!
We hope to welcome you to the Museum very soon.
Best wishes from the Kilmartin Museum team.”
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