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Hall of Clestrain, Orkney

The flourishing maritime trade routes of the eighteenth century brought many educated and wealthy people to the Orkney Islands resulting in some interesting architectural variations. The Grade A-listed Hall of Clestrain is typical of this.

Hall of Clestrain

Background

Listing: Category A
Date of building: 1769/1770

Web: www.hallofclestrain.org.uk [http://www.hallofclestrain.org.uk]

Built in 1769 in the classical tradition with pavilions an impressive drive and attractive front steps, this three-storey home is square in design whereas most Georgian houses were rectangular.

Today, although most of the floors are intact very little remains of the grand Georgian interiors. Many of the windows have been bricked up and the basement has been completely given over to keeping livestock following a storm in 1952, which ripped off the roof of the property.

The Hall of Clestrain enjoys particular affection in the hearts of islanders as the birthplace in 1813 of one of the most important figures in Artic exploration, Dr John Rae. The Hall is currently the subject of a number of restoration grant applications. Discussions are also taking place with Canada's Manitoba Museum about a possible link up.

Regional Information

Orphir on the mainland of Orkney was once an early centre of Norse influence. The parish, which overlooks Scapa Flow, is particularly associated with Earl Hakon Paulsson, a Norse crusader who died on Orkney in 1122. Orphir is home to the remains of the only surviving example of a circular medieval church, said to be based on Paulsson's experience of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

During the height of Britain's sea power most ships trading with America, Canada, the Faroes and Iceland would have passed Orkney bringing wealthy, educated people to the islands. Today the population of Orphir is around 875.

Hall of Clestrain, Orkney

Background

Regional Information

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